Physician Assistant

Academic Requirements for Admission

Application to the program is open to individuals who:

• possess a baccalaureate degree* from an accredited institution and have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater
• have a 3.2 GPA in the following prerequisite courses with no grade lower than a "C."

Course

• Chemistry I with Lab

• Chemistry II with Lab

• General Biology I with Lab

• General Biology II with Lab

• Microbiology with Lab

• Precalculus, Calculus, or Statistics

• Psychology

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab

• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab

• Human Anatomy with Lab

• Human Physiology with Lab

Student must read, sign, understand and meet the Standards of Essential Functions of the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the MSPA program.

As noted above, prerequisite science courses listed above must include a laboratory component and must have been completed within 10 years prior to matriculation. Students with incomplete prerequisites may apply; however, they must state how they will satisfy the prerequisites by June 1st prior to the start of the program.

Standardized Testing

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. While the program does not use a strict cutoff score, most competitive applicants will have scores at or above the fiftieth percentile in each test area.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of any applicant who is not a native speaker of English. A score report must be forwarded documenting a paper-based score of 550 or above, a computer-based score of 213 or above, or an Internet-based score of 79 or above. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an agency such as World Education Services, Inc.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to obtain three letters of recommendation from sources able to attest to an applicant\'s academic ability and character. It is recommended that letters be obtained from course instructors and clinical supervisors. Letters from family members and casual acquaintances are not acceptable.

Healthcare Experience Requirement

Applicants are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours observing or participating in the delivery of healthcare in a clinical environment. This requirement may be met through paid or volunteer experiences. While shadowing a physician assistant or physician will meet this requirement, priority consideration is given to experiences where the applicant has assumed responsibility for patient care. Past experiences that students have used to meet this requirement include but are not limited to: shadowing a PA or physician in an office or hospital; volunteering or working as an emergency medical technician; working as a nurse, nurse\'s aide, respiratory therapist, paramedic, athletic trainer or other healthcare provider, or volunteering in a healthcare facility. The healthcare experience is intended to strengthen interpersonal skills and to develop an understanding of the role of healthcare provider.

Interviews

All applicants being considered for admission will be invited to campus for an interview. The interview is used to assess an applicant\'s knowledge of the physician assistant profession, their motivation for becoming a physician assistant and communication and interpersonal skills. Meeting the minimum standards for admission does not guarantee that an applicant will be invited for an interview.

Advanced Standing and Transfer Students

Regardless of previous educational or work experience, all students are required to complete the entire physician assistant curriculum. No advanced placement, transfer credit, or credit for experiential learning will be granted.

Application Deadlines

Applicants may apply online at the Seton Hall University website: www.shu.edu. Seton Hall University does not participate in CASPA. Seats fill quickly, and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Admission: Applications for admission are accepted from June 15through a deadline of December 15. Students with incomplete prerequisites may apply; however, they must state how they will satisfy the prerequisites by June 1st prior to the start of the program. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of enrollment in any outstanding prerequisite courses. Information regarding application procedures and deadlines may be obtained from the School of Health and Medical Sciences, (973) 275-2596.

Employment During the Academic Year

Training to become a physician assistant demands a full-time commitment. Due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum, it is recommended that students not engage in outside employment. If a student chooses to work during the academic year, the work schedule must not interfere with class performance or clinical rotation schedules