Physician Assistant Science Graduate Admissions

Starting the MPA as a Graduate Student

Saint Francis University's Master of Physician Assistant Science program accepts a limited number of graduate students into the program each year.  Applications from candidates holding a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree with the necessary prerequisite coursework will be reviewed based on space availability and the quality of the applicant. 

MPA Graduate Admissions Requirements

Eligible students holding an earned baccalaureate degree (by program start date), with the necessary prerequisite coursework (see #6 below) may be admitted to the Master of Physician Assistant Science program based on space availability. Selection for a seat in the 2-year graduate program is highly competitive.

To be considered for admission to the next academic year, an applicant must complete the Centralized Application Process through CASPA between April 2026 and no later than August 1, 2026. Applying early is highly encouraged. CASPA interview dates are October 2026 and November 2026.

Questions about 2-year Graduate PA admissions may be directed to:

Stephanie Eckenrode
814-472-3136
seckenrode@francis.edu

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for Graduate Admission are required to submit all of the following directly to CASPA in order to be considered for admission:

1. A completed Application Form (via CASPA) by August 1.
2. Evidence of either a completed bachelor's degree or the ability to obtain one prior to matriculation from a fully accredited institution.
3. Official transcripts from each college/university attended indicating an overall Cumulative GPA of 3.2 and a Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (including international and professional coursework).
4. Evidence of 100 hours of non-paid health care experience. 

• At least 40 of the required hours must be spent shadowing a physician assistant in clinical practice.
• Of the remaining 60 hours:
  • There is no limit to the number spent shadowing a PA, MD/DO, Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse Midwife.
  • There is no limit to the number of hours spent working as an EMT, paramedic, or military medic/hospital corpsman.
  • A maximum of 20 hours may be spent working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, shadowing an athletic trainer, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or EMS professional.
  • A maximum of 10 hours may be spent shadowing a registered nurse (RN), working as a scribe, or working at a camp for a special needs population.

Demonstrated health care experience must be outside of earned academic credit.
 

5. Three letters of recommendation.
6.  Prerequisite courses: 

• Chemistry - 2 courses with labs
• Human Anatomy & Physiology - 2 courses with labs
• Microbiology - 1 course with lab
• Psychology - 1 course
• Medical Terminology - 1 course
• Statistics or Upper-Level Math - 1 course

Please note that it is beneficial to have completed at least five of the eight prerequisite courses prior to applying. Any prerequisite course not completed before the interview must be completed prior to the beginning of the didactic year with a grade of “B” or better. All courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college/university.

International Applicant Requirements

International students must complete the following steps in addition to all of the regular requirements necessary to apply for admission:

• Secondary/high school transcripts and bachelor's degree transcripts must be evaluated by an international credential evaluating agency (SpanTran or a NACES member institutions).  All transcripts must be from an accredited institution.
• Foreign transcript evaluation(s) must be submitted with your application.
• International students whose native language is not English MUST submit proof of English language proficiency. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTs or iTEP exam scores must be submitted.
• Please note that students who have received a baccalaureate degree in the United States are exempt from this requirement. Applicants required to take a language proficiency exam must have a minimum of one of the following:
  • IELTS score of 7.0
  • TOEFL scores of 102 on iBT or 607 on PBT

Regardless of citizenship, international applicants – as well as immigrants to the U.S. and U.S. permanent residents – whose native language is not English, are required to submit current TOEFL scores. Please note, however, that students who have received a baccalaureate degree in the United States are exempt from this requirement.

Additional Admissions Information

Advanced Placement:

• The PA program does not grant any type of advanced placement for didactic or clinical courses.

Healthcare Experience versus Patientcare Experience:

• Healthcare experience is defined as, "Both paid and unpaid work in a health or health-related field where you are not directly responsible for a patient's care, but may still have patient interaction; for example, filling prescriptions, performing clerical work, delivering patient food, cleaning patients and or their rooms, administering food or medication, taking vitals or other record keeping information, working as a scribe, CNA, medical assistant, physical therapist, pharmacy tech and /or dental hygienist."
• Patientcare is defined as, "Experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient's care.  For example, prescribing medication, performing procedures, directing a course of treatment, designing a treatment regimen, actively working on a patient as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, military medic, hospital corpsman, and/or foreign medically-trained physician."

Not Required:

• GRE

Virtual (online) labs:

• Virtual (online) labs taken after March 1, 2020, will be accepted.
   

From Application Submission to Interview

Once all supporting documentation has been received and verified through CASPA, the Saint Francis University PA Department will review completed applications. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an on-campus interview.

Interviews are typically conducted in October, November, and December. Because admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the cycle and schedule one of the earlier interview dates whenever possible.

Admissions Process

Saint Francis University invites the most competitive applicants to participate in an on-campus interview. Interview selections are based on a comprehensive review of:

• Demonstrated academic performance
  • Applicants with a GPA calculation of 3.0 or higher for the following will be given preference:
    • Anatomy and Physiology with labs - 8 credits
    • Chemistry with labs - 8 credits
    • Microbiology with labs - 4 credits
    • Medical terminology - 1-3 credits
  • Additionally, applicants with a GPA of 2.666 or higher for the 8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology with labs will be given preference.
• Quality of completed application
• Responses to program-specific questions
• Healthcare experience with preference given to the following:
  • direct patient contact
  • 12-months or more of full-time experience
  • level of patient care

The interview allows applicants to further expand on their credentials. Interviewers look for candidates to demonstrate maturity, personal initiative, understanding of the role of a PA, and excellent communication skills. Following on-campus interviews, some applicants will be notified of acceptance within weeks.

All applicants are evaluated based on their academic history and healthcare experience. No preferences are given to specific groups of applicants. 

For accepted applicants, the academic year will begin in May 2026.

Relevant Links:

• Didactic and clinical year progression standards
• Departmental policy manual
• Clinical year handbook

Please note policies apply to faculty, staff, and students