Minimum Requirements for Assured Admission to the MMS Degree (Physician Assistant)
Prerequisite courses must be taken through the appropriate department, e.g. Biology, Chemistry or Psychology.
Requirements for Students Who Begin Their Undergraduate Education at Arcadia University as Freshmen
- Students must have completed the following prerequisite courses at Arcadia University. Exceptions to the rule will be handled on a case by case basis. Students who choose to take classes outside of Arcadia University are still encouraged to apply but may not be considered for assured admission.
- Biological Sciences: five courses with labs.
- BI 101 General Biology 1
- BI 102 General Biology 2
- BI 205 Human Anatomy or BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
- BI 206 Human Physiology
- BI 323 Microbiology
- Chemistry: three courses with labs.
- CH 101 General Chemistry 1 or CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry 1
- CH 102 General Chemistry 2 or CH 112 Conceptual Chemistry 2
- CH 201 Organic Chemistry
- Statistics: one course.
- Psychology: one course.
- NOTE: Students may have only one prerequisite course outstanding by the end of the fall semester of their senior year.
- Students must have a minimum 3.4 overall GPA and a minimum 3.4 overall GPA in prerequisite courses. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each prerequisite course. (A grade of “C–” is unacceptable for prerequisite credit.) When calculating the prerequisite GPA, the University includes all courses in the various areas. Courses taken in prerequisite areas that were graded on a pass/fail basis will not be calculated into the prerequisite GPA.
- Students must have knowledge of the profession through work or volunteer experience in a clinical setting. A minimum of 200 hours of patient care experience is required. See FAQ’s for examples of patient care.
- Students must obtain three letters of recommendation. Ideally, one should be from a professor and one from a practicing licensed physician or physician assistant.
- Students must meet the Minimum Technical Standards for Admissions, Continuation and Graduation.
While an interview is not required for acceptance to the program, we do offer several opportunities for accepted students to speak with faculty and current students in person or virtually prior to deposit deadline.
Requirements for Students Who Enter Arcadia University as Transfer Students
Transfer students are also considered for assured admission provided that they meet all the criteria for freshmen as well as the following:
**Please be aware that transfer students may have difficulty meeting the assured admission requirements if they only attend Arcadia for a minimum of four semesters.
- Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits per semester and no fewer than 64 credits over the last four semesters of work at Arcadia University, excluding summers.
- Students must earn a bachelor’s degree from Arcadia University.
- Students must have a minimum 3.4 overall GPA and a minimum 3.4 overall GPA in prerequisite courses. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each prerequisite course. (A grade of “C–” is unacceptable for prerequisite credit.) When calculating the prerequisite GPA, the University includes all courses in the various areas. Courses taken in prerequisite areas that were graded on a pass/fail basis will not be calculated into the prerequisite GPA.
- Students must take five of the prerequisite science courses at Arcadia University.
- Biological Sciences: three courses with labs:
- BI 101 General Biology 1
- BI 102 General Biology 2
- BI 206 Human Physiology
- Two additional science courses with labs that fulfill prerequisites.
- Biological Sciences: three courses with labs:
- NOTE: Students may have only one prerequisite course outstanding by the end of the fall semester of their senior year.
- Students must have knowledge of the profession through work or volunteer experience in a clinical setting. A minimum of 200 hours of patient care experience is required. See FAQ’s for examples of patient care.
- Students must obtain three letters of recommendation. Ideally, one should be from a professor and one from a practicing licensed physician or physician assistant.
- Students must meet the Minimum Technical Standards for Admissions, Continuation and Graduation.
Students whose credentials do not meet requirements for assured admission to the Master’s program are welcome and encouraged to apply for admission into the PA program as a general pool applicant.
While an interview is not required for acceptance to the program, we do offer several opportunities for accepted students to speak with faculty and current students in person or virtually prior to deposit deadline.
