ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For those Hofstra University students who are provisionally admitted to the program as incoming first-year students, it is possible to proceed directly into the physician assistant program without undergoing the PA admission process in the junior year. In order to qualify, a student must meet each of the following conditions:

• Enter Hofstra University as a first-year student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in high school academic work and a SAT score of 1230 (on the Critical Reading and Mathematics sections) or ACT score of 27;
• Qualified applicants to the direct entry program will be asked to submit a supplemental to their application, consisting of two essay questions;
• Complete a successful interview during the junior year;
• Attend Hofstra University for all undergraduate course work;
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 for the six semesters prior to beginning the PA program curriculum;
• Maintain a science grade point average of 3.3 for the six semesters prior to beginning the PA program curriculum;
• Follow the pre-professional curriculum;
• Complete three years in residence before entering the professional phase of the program;
• Meet with a PA program faculty advisor once each semester;
• Document 50 to 100 hours of healthcare experience.

Should a student meet all conditions, a seat will be reserved in the class beginning in his/her senior year. Students who do not meet every condition for the first-year direct entry option may apply to the program via the CASPA process. Such students compete for admission to the program with all others applying through CASPA.

APPLICATION

Freshman students must apply utilizing a Hofstra application. Qualified applicants will receive a supplemental application that must be completed to be further considered.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
• Cumulative science GPA of 3.0;
• Complete all prerequisite coursework;
• Personal essay;
• Two letters of recommendation;
• Documentation of 50 to 100 hours of health-care experience;
• International students must take the TOEFL exam and pass with a minimum score of:

Internet-based test: 80
Computer-based test: 213
Paper-based test: 550

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK

All prerequisite courses must be completed before matriculation into the physician assistant program. It is necessary to indicate courses in progress or planned on the CASPA application.

• General Biology (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
• General Chemistry (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
• Human or Mammalian Physiology: 4 s.h.
• Biochemistry: 3 s.h. or Organic Chemistry: 4 s.h.
• Statistics: 3 s.h.
• Microbiology: 4 s.h.
• Genetics or cell biology or another upper level biology 3-4 s.h.

Please note the following conditions:

• Physiology, microbiology and biochemistry or organic chemistry must be taken within the past five years of the start of the curriculum;
• General biology and general chemistry will be waived in circumstances where more advanced courses have been passed with a grade of B+ or better;
• SOC 180 (Statistics in Sociology), PSY 040 (Statistics), or any other statistics courses approved by the program director may be substituted for BIO 100(Biostatistics);
• Introductory courses in anatomy and physiology will fulfill the pre-requisite in human or mammalian physiology only if these courses are advanced enough to be applied to the biology major.  BIO 103 and 105 do not fulfill the pre-requisite.  Most anatomy and physiology courses taken in community colleges do not fulfill the pre-requisite, and will be evaluated by the program director; and
• Genetics, cell biology, or any other upper-level biology course (3-4 s.h.) must be taken at a four-year college or university.

APPLICATION

Students must apply to the program in physician assistant studies through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications are submitted to CASPA on-line at www.caspaonline.org. The deadline is November 1st for admission to the class beginning the subsequent September. Admission to the PA program is granted on a rolling basis. Qualified applicants will receive a supplemental application that must be completed to be further considered.

Please forward documents requested by CASPA to their offices.  Verification documents, such as transcripts, references and proof of health related experience will not be accepted by the PA Program until a seat is offered.

PERSONAL ESSAY

The personal essay should include career goals, personality traits or specific experiences that have influenced your decision to become a physician assistant.

REFERENCE LETTERS

Two letters of reference are required.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

An interview is required for admission.  Students possessing all requirements for entry into the program are not guaranteed and interview. The PA program is competitive and only the strongest applicants will be selected for a personal interview with the physician assistant studies program admission committee prior to acceptance into the program. Applicants should be aware that a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in science courses do not guarantee an interview or entry into the program.

There is no advanced placement in the professional phase of the program. Students having completed prerequisite coursework elsewhere may receive transfer credit for prerequisite course work only.

The program requires applicants to have from 50-100 documented hours of healthcare experience. Many types of experience will qualify, and the experience ideally includes direct observation of a practicing physician assistant ("Shadowing"). The experience may be paid employment, such as working as a paramedic or EKG technician. The experience may be as a volunteer in a hospital or other healthcare facility.

Applicants who have accumulated more than the minimum hours of experience will have a stronger application, but the quality of the experience is also important. Shadowing a PA in clinical practice is one of the best ways to understand the physician assistant role in modern healthcare systems.

There is no advanced placement in the professional phase of the program, therefore, no credit for experiential learning in the professional phase. Students applying to Hofstra to complete prerequisite coursework may be eligible for transfer credit on the basis of nontraditionally acquired prior learning. Students may consult the Office of Prior Learning in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Office for further information.

Students may withdraw from the PA program at any time except during the final examination period. This request must be made in writing to the program director. Upon receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the end of the first week of classes, please consult the Hofstra University Class Schedule. Students must also follow University withdrawal policies.