Physician Assistant Studies Program Admission

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Admission & Prerequisites

Ohio Dominican enrolls students in the MS in Physician Assistant Studies Program every fall. The process is highly competitive, so make sure to read all the requirements carefully.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 3.0 overall and science GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Prerequisite coursework.
  • Understanding and meeting minimum technical standards.
  • Minimum of 250 hours of documented patient-care experience. These hours are self-documented and subject to audit by the program. While shadowing hours do not count towards patient-care experience, shadowing a PA is beneficial for the applicant.
  • GRE and/or MCAT scores submitted no later than the application deadline. ODU's institution code for submitting your GRE is 0436. By using this code, your scores will be sent directly to CASPA for verification. Scores must be within 5 years of admission. 
  • Two letters of recommendation as required through CASPA. It is recommended at least one letter be from a clinician working in healthcare. 
  • An on-campus or virtual interview is required and by invitation only. All travel expenses are the responsibility of the candidate. An interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  • Application completed through the CASPA Portal. You'll submit your transcripts directly through the CASPA Portal. ODU does not require a supplemental application or accept any additional documents or updates once an application has been submitted.

Go to Application & Cost

All applicants are held to the same admissions standards. However, preference for interview will be given to current Ohio residents, graduates of Ohio Dominican University, and those who have served in our nation's armed forces. Preference for an interview does not mean preference for selection into the program.

Preference for admission will be given to those who display the following:

  • Academic excellence
  • Commitment to service
  • Quality patient-care experience
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong work ethic and resilience
  • Strong letters of recommendation

There is no waiver of courses or advanced placement in the program.

Applicants to ODU's Physician Assistant Program must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America.

The PA program requires applicants that completed coursework outside the United States provide foreign transcript evaluation (at their own expense) from one of the accepted credential evaluation agencies, ECE or WES.

All required prerequisite coursework must be taken at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

In addition to the regular admission requirements above, all students from non-English speaking countries must achieve a score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

After being accepted into the program, but before enrolling, students are required to:

  • Complete  a criminal background check and drug screen prior to matriculation. Drug screening and further background checks may be necessary depending upon program and/or clinical site requirements. The cost of all background checks and drug screens will be the student’s responsibility. Ohio Dominican University reserves the right to rescind admission into its Physician Assistant Studies Program for students whose criminal background check comes back positive for any conviction, including, but not limited to, alcohol/drug-related offenses.
  • Hold a current BLS Certificate.
  • Provide proof of health screening and immunization status consistent with CDC recommendations for adults and healthcare workers. Student also must provide proof of basic health insurance.
  • Must have valid driver's license.

Additionally, students are required to successfully pass a medical terminology examination administered shortly after the program begins in the first semester. 

To prepare for this examination, students are strongly advised to study and complete the latest edition of Medical Terminology: A short course, by Davi-Ellen Chabner, WB Saunder Co. Publishing. Students will not advance in the program until they pass this examination.