Saint Francis University

Admission Criteria

• Just the facts on Admission

• For applicants entering from high school (BS - MPAS)

• For applicants with a completed baccalaureate degree (Graduate Program - MPAS)

• For SFU change of major

• How to get to the SFU PA Department 

SFU Open Houses (predominantly for undergraduate students):
Saturday, September 26th 
Saturday, October 17th 
Wednesday, November 11th (On-Site Day) 
Saturday, November 14th
To register for an Open House please complete the registration form .

FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING FROM HIGH SCHOOL (BS - MPAS):

Students may enter the MPAS Program directly from high school; without prior college work or medical experience. Applicants must meet general College admission requirements as published in the College catalog. The deadline for applications is January 15th for the Fall term. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible for consideration. A competitive evaluation process is used, with admission based on factors such as: SAT scores, high school quintile ranking and high school GPA. Students with a SAT composite above 1100, at least a second quintile ranking, and a high school GPA of 3.5 or better would be competitive in the applicant pool. Items in the applicant's file that demonstrate maturity, academic honesty, commitment to a career in health care and concern for others would also strengthen the case for admission.
If interested in applying to the Program, please read the application procedures for freshman-admits.  An applicant must also be able to meet the Saint Francis University Department of Physician Assistant Sciences student technical standards.

To correspond with a current professional phase PA graduate student (Sheldon Willams), please e-mail him at scwst3@mail.francis.edu or to correspond with a current first year professional phase traditional student (Marie Rodgers), please e-mail her at merst4@mail.francis.edu.

FOR APPLICANTS WITH A COMPLETED BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (Graduate Program - MPAS):

FYI: There are a very limited number of seats (<20) available for Summer, 2010.  In order to increase your chances of being accepted, we strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible and interview as early as possible due to our rolling admission process.

To correspond with a current professional phase PA graduate student (Sheldon Willams), please e-mail him at scwst3@mail.francis.edu or to correspond with a current professional phase traditional student (Marie Rodgers), please e-mail her at merst4@mail.francis.edu.

Selection for a seat into the professional phase of the graduate Physician Assistant Program is very competitive. In order to be considered for admission in the next academic year, an applicant must complete the Centralized Application Process no later than November 1st (including transcripts and letters of recommendation).  (CASPA,P.O. Box 9108, Watertown, MA 02471 - (617) 612-2080 or CaspaInfo@caspaonline.org )

Admission is based on academic achievement, demonstration of quality performance in science and/or health care related courses, demonstration of motivation and professional potential and strong interpersonal skills. In order to be even considered for an interview, a graduate student applicant must have an overall cumulative GPA above a 3.0 and/or a science GPA above a 3.0, and a record that demonstrates the characteristics listed above. Health care experience is not required, but previous health care experience is considered in the evaluation of graduate candidates for admission. GRE's are not required.  An applicant must also be able to meet the Saint Francis University Department of Physician Assistant Sciences student technical standards.

All applications for admission are reviewed by the Department faculty. Competitive applicants will be required to attend a personal interview that affords the faculty an opportunity to further review the applicant's credentials. Candidates are expected to demonstrate maturity, personal initiative, an understanding of the PA role and excellent communication skills. This meeting also enables the applicants to become personally acquainted with the Department's facilities, faculty/staff and/or students.

Following the interview, the Department's admission committee offers admission to selected candidates based on their academic record and the applicant's ability to demonstrate the qualities listed above. All initial admissions decisions will generally be made by mid-February.

In order to qualify for admission into the Professional phase of the Program, students must have completed a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and prerequisite courses required by the University. Any prerequisite course not completed prior to the interview, must be completed prior to beginning the professional phase with a grade of "B" or better. The prerequisite courses include:

• Chemistry - 2 courses (must have labs)

• Anatomy & Physiology - 2 courses (must have lab)

• Microbiology - 1 course (must have labs)

• Psychology - 1 course

• Statistics - 1 course (or upper level math)

Please note that the Department does not require any additional information (i.e. a supplement) when applying through CASPA.

If you already possess a baccalaureate degree or will obtain one by May and are interested in applying to the MPAS Program, the application for the Saint Francis University Summer 2010 admissions is at https://portal.caspaonline.org  (available after April 15, 2009).

Once an application is received from CASPA, the Department begins to evaluate and invite those qualified for an interview.  After the interview, some applicants will be notified of acceptance within a couple of weeks.  It is very beneficial to apply to CASPA well before the deadline and/or schedule for one of the earlier interview dates. We cannot guarantee that we will have any acceptance positions available for later interview dates.

Those who apply later in the admission cycle may have limited options in scheduling an interview (we may not even receive your application material in time for review prior to the last interview date), may not be aware of courses that are lacking until it is too late or there may not be any openings remaining in the class.

Please note that applicants who have completed a degree or coursework at a foreign institution must have a foreign credential evaluation completed on their transcript.  This evaluation must be submitted with the application.

International students whose native language is not English MUST submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.

Please be aware that students are required to complete criminal background checks, pediatric child abuse clearances and urine drug screens.  See the Policy Manual for additional information. 

The Program does not grant any type of advanced placement for course within the professional phase.

FOR INTERNAL TRANSFER ADMISSION:

Students wishing to apply for admission to the Physician Assistant BS/MPAS Program who already are enrolled at Saint Francis University in another major may do so by following the procedure outlined below.

1. Must have completed at least 45 credit hours at SFU

2. Must meet all grade and progression standard requirement published by the Program (includes health care experience requirements as listed in the catalog).  Application can be made only for seats in the professional phase of the Program.  All material must be submitted by October 15th.

3. Must complete all required courses (including entry level PA courses) prior to beginning the professional phase. Please note that if your QPA is not above a 3.0, you may not be permitted to enroll in the PA courses.

4. An applicant must also be able to meet the Saint Francis University Department of Physician Assistant Sciences student technical standards.
   

5. Application can be made only for seats in the professional phase of the Program

• Submit letter of intent to transfer into the MPAS Program

• Complete Application Supplement (requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

• Have three letters of recommendation forwarded to the PA Program Office

• After review of your material, the Program will determine whether you are eligible for an interview.  Students with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA, PA courses/prerequisite QPA or PA course/prerequisite grades less than a "C" may not be considered. Submission of material or obtaining an interview does not guarantee you a seat in the professional phase.
    

Required Physician Assistant Pre-Professional Courses (must obtain permission to enroll in these courses, based upon grades and seating availability):

• PHYA 110: Medical Terminology

• PHYA 111: Introduction to Medicine I

• PHYA 112: Introduction to Medicine II

• PHYA 210: Introduction to Medicine III

• PHYA 211: Introduction to Medicine IV

• PHYA 211 Lab: Introduction to Physical Examination

Collateral/Prerequisite courses include:

• Chemistry - two courses (must have labs)

• Anatomy & Physiology - two courses (must have labs)

• Microbiology - one course (must have lab)

• Psychology - one course

• Statistics - one course (or upper level math)

Applicants should realize the seats in the PA Program are awarded on a competitive basis and that simply meeting the minimum requirements does not imply that a candidate will be accepted.