Requirements
Degree
- Baccalaureate Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited College or University.
Grade Point Average
- The following GPA are required:
- Overall GPA of 3.0 (Undergraduate) or Overall Graduate GPA of 3.0 (only for applicants holding an earned graduate degree).
- Prerequisite GPA of 3.2.
Prerequisite Coursework
Course |
Semester Requirement |
---|
Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab |
2 semesters |
Microbiology with Lab |
1 semester |
Organic Chemistry I with Lab |
1 semester |
Biochemistry |
1 semester |
Genetics |
1 semester |
Statistics |
1 semester |
Psychology |
1 semester |
Writing Intensive/English Composition |
1 semester |
- A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for prerequisite coursework.
- Prerequisite coursework MUST have been completed no more than 10 years prior to matriculation. Courses must have been completed after January 1, 2014.
- CLEP (College Level Examination Program) or AP (Advanced Placement) course credit may not be used or substituted to meet prerequisite requirements.
- Experiential learning is not substituted for prerequisite coursework.
- Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.
- Courses only offered pass-fail by the college or university due to COVID 19 (Spring 2020 through Spring 2021) will be accepted and will not contribute to the calculated GPA or Pre-Requisite GPA. Pass-Fail courses will not be accepted if there was an option to choose pass-fail or graded. If it is not clearly stated on the transcript a letter will be required from the college or university to confirm that pass-fail was the only option.
- Degree and prerequisite coursework taken outside of the U.S. is not accepted (regardless if made equivalent by a U.S. institution).
- Applicants may have one (1) outstanding course at time of application which must be done by end of Fall Semester of senior year.
- For the 2023-2024 admission cycle, completion of a Medical Terminology course is strongly recommended. Beginning with the 2024-2025 admission cycle, Medical Terminology will be a requirement.
Direct Patient Care Experiences
- Applicants are expected to have hands-on, direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting.
- A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting must be completed prior to application.
- Direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting will be evaluated based on the type of experience and the number of hours.
- Quality of prior health care experience will be taken into consideration; favorable healthcare settings include:
- Direct health care experience serving disadvantaged populations
- Examples of direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting may include but are not limited to: EMT, Medical Scribe, Paramedic, Medical Assistant, Nurse, Surgical Technician, Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapy Aide, Medical Corpsman, and volunteer hours in a hospital or nursing home where there was direct contact with patients.
- Applicants will submit verifiable information regarding their direct health care experiences.
Letters of Recommendation
- Three letters of recommendation are required.
- Letters should be from physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, research mentors, professors or volunteer coordinators/supervisors who had direct interaction with the applicant within the last 5 years and can attest to their qualities, strengths and suitability for a career as a physician assistant.
- Letters must not be from a family member or peer.
Personal and Supplemental Statements
- Personal and Supplemental Statements
Residency
- US Citizens.
- Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States: Applicants who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. will be required to provide a copy of their permanent resident card ("green card") prior to admission. Note: Permanent residency status "pending," is not eligible for admission.
Transfers of credits or Admission with Advanced Standing
- Transfer credit or admission with advanced standing from another PA program is not accepted.
- No advanced standing, or transfer credit is given to foreign medical school graduates. All students admitted to the PA program must take all courses with their cohort.
- All of the curricular components of the program are required for graduation and must be completed at the Ithaca College Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program.