MS Physician Assistant Studies: Admissions

All applicants to the AdventHealth University (AHU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program must submit an application directly to the online Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), accessible at CASPA. The application cycle opens in April and the deadline for a verified application is September 1. Applications that are not verified by the application deadline will not be considered for admittance. Please note, the CASPA application verification process can take days to weeks, depending on when CASPA receives your application and documentation. CASPA will verify an applicant when they receive the application, required payment, all transcripts, at least two letters of reference, and they have calculated the GPAs. We recommend that you begin your application early in the cycle and submit your file in time to be verified by the September 1 deadline. Any questions you have about submitting your application through CASPA can be directed to caspainfo@caspaonline.org or by calling Call617-612-2080. The program does not accept applications through our website or sent to the University.

The program will not review any documentation submitted after the application is verified by CASPA, including coursework, experience hours and shadowing hours. The program does not  have the authority to amend or edit your CASPA application. 

Apply at CASPA

Official Transcripts
Transcripts from each regionally accredited college and university attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, must be submitted directly to CASPA. Failure to disclose all colleges and universities previously attended could result in denial or dismissal. We do not accept transcripts delivered to our campus. Applicants with transcripts demonstrating high academic performance and the ability to carry a full course load of substantial content will be considered more competitive during the selection process.

Transcript Evaluations
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to provide individual transcript evaluations. If you have questions or concerns regarding specific courses and if those courses fulfill our prerequisite requirements, you are welcome to email your inquiry to our program admissions team. In this email, please include the course description(s) with the course code(s) and the name of the institution(s) where the course(s) was completed. Please indicate which requirement you are looking to fulfill with each course that you submit. Email course inquiries to PA.info@ahu.edu.

International Transcripts
We require course-by-course transcript evaluations of college or university work that has been completed outside of the Unites States. All non-U.S. transcript evaluations must be completed through World Education Services (WES) and sent directly to CASPA. You can contact WES at Call212-966-6211, info@wes.org, or at www.wes.org.

All applicants must have a minimum of a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation into the program. To determine if a college or university is regionally accredited, visit http://www.chea.org/. Those who are still completing their bachelor's degree at the September 1 deadline must submit an unofficial transcript showing completion of a conferred degree by the Friday before matriculation. Selection preference is not granted to any specific fields of study. All fields of study are equitable and competitive.

We require a 3.00 minimum cumulative and overall science GPA on a 4.00 scale as calculated by CASPA at the time of application. Beginning in the 2026-2027 cycle, those candidates with higher GPAs, including pre-requisite courses, last 60 hours, and biology/chemistry/physics (BCP) GPAs, as calculated by CASPA, will be considered more competitive and given preference during the selection process.

All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a C or higher by the Friday before matriculation. If you are taking a prerequisite the spring term before May matriculation, you must ensure that you will have ended that course and have a final grade by the Friday before matriculation. 

Science prerequisites
(all must include a lab component with the exception of Genetics)

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I, II or Human Anatomy and Human Physiology – 8 credit hours
• Organic Chemistry I – 4 credit hours
• Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry I – 4 credit hours
• General Microbiology – 4 credit hours
• Genetics – 3 credit hours

TOTAL – 23 credit hours

Other prerequisite courses

• *General Psychology or Developmental Psychology or Abnormal Psychology – 3 credit hours
• *General Statistics or Elementary Statistics or Biostatistics – 3 credit hours
• Medical Terminology – 1 credit hour (certification acceptable)

TOTAL – 7 credits

Prerequisite Timeframe Cap:

Beginning in the 2026-2027 cycle, all prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years of the date of application verification and must have been completed with a grade of C or higher.

Applicants who have one or more science prerequisite courses completed more than 10 years prior to the date of application verification may submit a PA-CAT Student Transcript as an alternative to retaking those science prerequisite courses only. The PA-CAT scaled score must be from an examination administered in the current or previous cycle and will only be considered if the percentile rank is at or above the mean shown on the PA-CAT Student Transcript. The AHU PA program does not require the PA-CAT for admission and does not require any candidate to take the exam in place of prerequisites. Therefore, if the exam has already been taken as part of the admissions requirements of another program, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit the PA-CAT Student Transcript directly to pa.info@ahu.edu if this option is selected.

All other prerequisite courses (psychology, statistics, and medical terminology) must be retaken if completed more than 10 years prior to the application verification date. 

*Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be accepted in place of the above referenced courses. The AP course must be listed on the applicants conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Policy regarding outstanding pre-requisite courses
An applicant is allowed up to 8-credit hours of outstanding prerequisites at the time of the verified application deadline. Those applicants who have completed all prerequisites with a C and above by the verified application deadline will be considered more competitive during the selection process.

If there are outstanding prerequisite courses, unofficial transcripts must be submitted by the September 1 deadline to verify that the courses are in progress or planned. If unofficial transcripts cannot be obtained, proof of course registration will be required and must be sent directly to pa.info@ahu.edu by the September 1 deadline. Those who are offered a seat in the program must submit transcripts showing completion of the prerequisite(s) with a C or higher directly to our admissions department at pa.info@ahu.edu by 12:00 pm the Friday before matriculation.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 cycle, those applicants who have completed all prerequisites before application verification will be given preference.

CASPer

All applicants are required to complete the CASPer online test as part of our admissions process. CASPer is an online test that assesses social intelligence and professionalism, which we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. We do not require the Snapshot component or the Duet component that CASPer offers.

In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements.

Please go to acuityinsights.app, select the current Admissions Cycle to sign up for the USA Professional Health Sciences test (CSP10101) and reserve a test using your CASPA ID and a government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. These are the only test dates available for your CASPer test. It takes 2 weeks for CASPer to grade and submit your score to AHU. Keep this in mind when scheduling your exam date. If you take your exam less than 2 weeks before the September 1 verified application deadline, it will be your sole responsibility to contact Acuity Insights to ensure that we receive your score in time. There will be no exceptions made, and we will not contact Acuity Insights on your behalf. Use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule. You can find information and test preparation for CASPer at the CASPer Landing Page.

Acuity Insights (CASPer) program provides a fee waiver for any applicant who qualifies and is approved for a CASPA fee waiver.

GRE and PA-CAT

The GRE and PA-CAT are not required in the selection process for AdventHealth University’s PA Program.

We strongly recommend that applicants submit at least one year – or 2000 hours – of direct patient care experience, including exposure to the PA profession. The Program believes that involvement in direct patient care, health care related experience, and exposure to the PA profession give an applicant a foundation to begin PA school and demonstrate an interest and commitment to the health care field. Quality and quantity of patient care hours will be considered during the selection process. The Program does not accept experience hours completed after the verified application deadline of October 1 but encourages applicants to continue gaining experience until the time of matriculation. Verification of listed experiences may be required.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 cycle, the program strongly recommends a minimum of 1000 direct patient care and/or health related experience hours before application verification. Higher quality and quantity of direct patient care responsibilities will be considered more competitive and given preference during the selection process.

Patient Care Experience

Patient Care is defined as positions that have hands-on, face-to-face contact with patients for the purpose of diagnosis, treatment, and management.

Examples of preferred patient care experience include:

• Athletic trainer
• Audiologist
• Cardiac monitor technician
• Certified nursing assistant
• Clinical pharmacy technician – hospital based
• Clinical researcher
• Dental hygienist
• Medical assistant (clinical)
• Medical scribe
• Military medical corpsman
• Nurse coordinator/navigator
• Occupational therapist/Occupational therapy assistant
• Paramedic/Emergency medical technician
• Perfusionist
• Phlebotomist
• Physical therapist/Physical therapy assistant
• Radiology technologist
• Registered dietician
• Registered nurse or Licensed practical nurse
• Respiratory therapist
• Surgical technician

Health Related Experience

Health Related experience is defined as positions that allow exposure to the health care field and may have an effect on the health of individuals, but do not allow for direct "hands-on" care for patients.

Examples of Related Healthcare experience include:

• Medical assistant (administrative)
• Medical laboratory technician
• Non-clinical researcher/Non-clinical research assistant
• Nutritionist
• Ophthalmic technician
• Patient care advocate
• Peace corps
• Pharmacy technician – retail/compound, non-hospital based
• Social worker

The above list of patient care and health related experiences is not all inclusive. Additional types of patient care and health related experience will be critically evaluated for depth and breadth of the experience. Ensure you are not listing an experience as both patient care and health related experience. Make sure your experiences match the above definitions. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact pa.info@ahu.edu.

Please note, shadowing healthcare providers and any hours credited as part of a training, educational, or internship/externship program will not be considered direct patient care or related healthcare experience.

Although PA shadowing is not required, competitive applicants will distinguish themselves by having observed a variety of PAs for enough hours to show they have a well-founded understanding of the role of a PA within the healthcare team. Shadowing hours will not be accepted if you received pay or salary of any kind for the time shadowing. Shadowing hours must be distinct from any paid employment or any other work experience. Only non-paid shadowing hours will be accepted for consideration. The program will not accept additional shadowing hours submitted after the application has been verified. Only the shadowing hours reported on the verified application will be reviewed.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 cycle, preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate both a higher quality (e.g., direct observation of PA practice in multiple settings or specialties) and greater quantity of PA shadowing hours.

Although not required, other experiences will be considered during the selection process, such as extracurricular activities, working or participation in athletics while in school full time, leadership experiences, research, teaching, and volunteer/community activities.

The program maintains that such experiences substantively enhance an applicant’s overall competitiveness and, beginning with the 2026-2027 cycle, applicants who present a broad portfolio of diverse experiences will receive preference during the student selection process.

Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted through CASPA. If more letters of recommendation are submitted in CASPA, we will only consider three. We highly recommend that two letters of recommendation come from practicing advanced practice providers or practicing physicians. Letters of recommendation from practicing PAs that the applicant has worked with or shadowed make an applicant more competitive and beginning in the 2026-2027 cycle, will be given preference. These individuals should be able to attest to your potential as a physician assistant. We highly recommend that the third letter come from a college or university professor who can strongly attest to your academic ability. We do not accept letters of recommendation from family members or friends.

CASPA requires applicants to write two essays, the Personal Statement and the Life Experience Essay. The admissions committee will review both narratives in the selection process.

Pre-requisite courses:
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AHU PA program will allow an applicant up to 8-credit hours of prerequisite pass/fail grades received during the 2020 and 2021 calendar year only. Any prerequisite course that has not received an alphanumeric grade must earn a “Pass” grade or equivalent. If the applicant has more than 8-credit hours of prerequisites with a pass/fail grade during this timeframe, their application will not be complete or considered for admittance until the applicant retakes the course(s) for an alphanumeric grade prior to matriculation. Prerequisite pass/fail credit hours will not be accepted outside of the 2020 and 2021 calendar year. Please note that courses taken for a pass/fail grade will not impact the applicant’s GPA. With this in mind, all applicants are still required to meet the minimum science and overall GPA for their application to be considered.

Non pre-requisite courses:
There is not a cap for non-prerequisite pass/fail credit hours as long as the applicant has a minimum of a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university at the time of matriculation.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are welcome to apply to AdventHealth University’s (AHU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program. International applicants must submit their non-U.S. transcripts in a timely manner to WES for evaluation and require the evaluation be sent to CASPA. WES transcripts must be received by CASPA no later than the verified application deadline; late submissions will not be accepted. Transcripts are required for all colleges and universities attended, even if they do not include prerequisite courses. Applicants are strongly encouraged to start the WES transcript process early to meet the application verification deadline. IMGs, regardless of past medical experience, are required to complete all admissions requirements and all aspects of the 27-month program, including all clinical rotations. No exceptions to this policy will be granted.

International applicants, where English is not the primary language must demonstrate English proficiency by providing one of the following:

• A score of 90 or higher on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL iBT), as well as appropriate evidence of temporary or permanent U.S. residency. These requirements are supplemental to the general education requirements.
• Successful completion of a bachelor’s, master's, or doctoral degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction.

We offer interviews by invitation only each cycle. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email. Our interview experience is an opportunity for the program to learn more about the applicant than what can be gleaned from the application and for the applicant to learn more about the program to determine if our program is the right fit for them. Please understand that meeting our minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview invitation. Additionally, all applicants who are interviewed are not guaranteed admission.

Student Selection

The AdventHealth University PA Program takes a holistic approach to evaluating applicants, recognizing that each individual is more than their academic record. The admissions committee reviews cumulative application data, the strength of the interview, and the applicant’s clear and committed interest in both the PA profession and our program. The most competitive candidates demonstrate strong alignment with our mission and core values—academic excellence, leadership, life experience, and service. Due to the competitive nature of our admissions process, meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance.

Selection Preferences

The following are the applicants who receive preference during student selection. Applicants who meet either of these preferences AND meet the minimum academic and clinical prerequisites, as every applicant will be given preference during student selection. Additionally, the presence of one or both of these preferences does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants who do not meet either of these preferences are still considered for admission to the program.

• Seventh-Day Adventist (must provide a letter from the pastor of your SDA church stating that you are a member in good standing).
• Graduates of AdventHealth University or other Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities
• Applicants with current or previous documented military experience

Preference Changes Beginning in the 2026-2027 Cycle:

We value individuals from diverse backgrounds and prioritize those who strongly align with our mission. Beginning with the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, AHU will no longer offer guaranteed interviews based on preference status. However, preference in the student selection process will be given to candidates who demonstrate the following:

• Graduates of a Seventh-day Adventist college or university, with highest preference given to graduates of AdventHealth University
• Active Seventh-day Adventists verified by a letter from the applicant’s pastor confirming regular attendance and good standing in an SDA church
• Current or prior documented military service
• Strong academic performance, including higher prerequisite, last 60 credit hours, and BCP (biology, chemistry, physics) GPAs
• Completion of all prerequisite coursework (grade of C or higher) by the verified application deadline
• High quality and quantity direct patient care experience
• High quality and quantity PA shadowing experience
• Strong letter(s) of recommendation from a practicing PA who has supervised or been shadowed by the applicant
• Engagement in multiple and diverse experiences such as:
  • extracurricular activities while maintaining a full academic load
  • volunteering/community service
  • leadership roles
  • Research or teaching experience
  • collegiate athletics participation while maintaining a full academic load
• From a medically underserved area (as indicated in CASPA)
• Economically disadvantaged background (as indicated in CASPA)
• Strong alignment with the mission and values of the AHU PA Program

Demonstrated understanding of the healthcare system and the role of the physician assistant - along with motivation, maturity, personal insight, and strong interpersonal skills - are also important factors considered in the admissions process. 
While these qualities and preferences strengthen an applicant’s overall competitiveness, applicants who do not meet these preferences will still receive full consideration for admission to the program, provided they meet all minimum admission requirements. 

Articulation Agreement:

Additionally, AdventHealth University Physician Assistant Program has an articulation agreement with Stetson University that provides admissions preference to Stetson University graduates who meet the requirements of the agreed memorandum of understanding.

*Applicants who believe they qualify for admissions preference under the AdventHealth University Physician Assistant Program articulation agreement/memorandum of understanding with Stetson University should contact the appointed advisor at Stetson University to assess their eligibility.

State Residence Preference
Preference is not given to in-state applicants. Regardless of the state of residence, admission to the AHU PA program is equitable and competitive.

We require that accepted applicants place a nonrefundable $500 deposit to reserve your program seat. This deposit will be due within 3 weeks of the program seat offer. Your acceptance letter will provide a deadline indicating when we must receive the deposit. Once enrolled in the program, these funds will be applied to your account. Those who paid the deposit but decline to enroll in the program will forfeit the deposit; if that student is admitted to the same program at a later date, AHU will require another full deposit. A professional program deposit is not transferable to another department.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 cycle, the program's non-refundable deposit will increase to $1000 to reserve a seat in the program.

Matriculating students must provide verification of the following:

• Hepatitis B+ (3 vaccine series) and positive Hepatitis B Antibody test
• Influenza vaccine or declination (annually)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine or immunity
• Varicella history or vaccination
• Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis (Tdap)
• COVID-19 vaccine or authorized exemption
• Physical Examination

All accepted students must complete and validate the university’s physical examination form annually.

• Tuberculosis screening

All accepted students must provide evidence of a tuberculosis screening test annually. Proof of negative TB skin or serum test (positive results will require the student to receive a chest x-ray or negative QuantiFERON Gold and further evaluation). In the event of a positive test result, please refer to the Communicable Disease Policy in the AHU Student Handbook.

All accepted students must provide proof of health insurance at the time of matriculation and maintain health insurance throughout the duration of the program. AdventHealth University does not offer any health insurance programs for students.

All accepted students will be required to complete a drug screening prior to matriculation and before the clinical phase.  AHU and the PA department also reserve the right to do random drug screens during the duration of the program with the cost the responsibility of the student. Please see the AHU Alcohol and Drug Policy.

Upon acceptance to the program and again before the start of clinical rotations, a required Level II background check will be conducted that includes fingerprinting, GSA/OIG, sexual offender background check, and drug screening panel. Criminal convictions of any nature may create difficulty placing the student in clinical rotations, as well as potentially resulting in ineligibility for the national board examination and licensing in many states. It is the student’s responsibility to address any such issues and determine the continued viability of their program candidacy. Please refer to NCCPA and Florida Board of Medicine for further information.