Detailed Prerequisites
We require several course prerequisites for admission consideration, although completion of this coursework is not required until the time of matriculation. Applicants can submit their CASPA and secondary applications with courses in progress or planned.
A minimum of one semester is required and science labs are strongly encouraged to supplement any science course lecture component. Prerequisite courses are:
- General biology
- Anatomy and physiology – two semesters (or one semester each)
- Microbiology
- General or principles of chemistry
- Biochemistry or organic chemistry
- General psychology
- Statistics or bio statistics
- Two semesters of English composition (or two courses listed as writing intensive courses)
We offer conditional admission in the event that a course(s) or hours are outstanding at the time a candidate interviews with the program.
AP and CLEP Credit
AP credit that was accepted by your undergraduate institution can satisfy a number of our prerequisites including general biology, general chemistry, psychology, statistics, and English composition courses. You can also use CLEP credit to satisfy course prerequisites.
Hours
Each prerequisite can be satisfied by one full semester, typically 3 to 4 semester-hours. For applicants on a trimester schedule, five-to-six quarter hours at minimum satisfy a prerequisite.
Keep in mind that requirements to graduate with a bachelor's degree versus requirements for admission to Penn State’s PA program will undoubtedly vary. For instance, completion of General Chemistry I can satisfy our prerequisite but often General Chemistry I and II are required to enroll in Organic Chemistry I at most institutions.
Online Courses
We accept online courses from regionally accredited institutions.
Currency and Exceptions
Three prerequisites have a five-year currency. They are:
- Anatomy (or A&P I)
- Physiology (or A&P II)
- Microbiology
This currency requirement will be waived for any applicant who has been working full time and continuously in the healthcare field since completing the coursework.
English Composition Courses
Any course that the institution deems as having satisfied a “writing intensive” will suffice. The course can be in any major and does not need to be an English-major based course. Additionally, if completion of a bachelor's degree incorporates writing across the curriculum, please share this information with the admissions committee.
Healthcare Experience
For admission consideration, a candidate should have 500 hours of health care experience (paid or volunteer). These hours can be in progress or planned during the application cycle, and you can update the program directly to add hours accrued after initial submission of the CASPA and secondary application. Hours must be completed by the time a candidate would matriculate into the program.
While our program is flexible in accepting a wide variety of hours to help satisfy the 500-hour requirement, hours as a personal trainer or lifeguard are unacceptable.
Technical Standards
The technical standards for Penn State College of Medicine's Physician Assistant Program have been established to ensure than students have the ability to demonstrate academic mastery, competence when performing clinical skills, and ability to communicate clinical information.
Learn more about our technical standards.
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*Last updated October 2022
Deadlines
Application Deadline08/01/2022 |
Supplemental ApplicationYes Supplemental Deadline08/01/2022 Supplemental Application Fee$75 Supplemental Application Fee WaiverNo information provided |
Program Info
CASPA MemberYes |
Program Length in Months27 Start MonthMay Part-time OptionNo Academic TermsSemesters Total Number of Terms7 Program Credit Hours125 |
Estimated Incoming Class Size60 Program Matriculants by Gender Female15.0Male-Non-Binary0.0Gender Unknown0.0Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number American Indian or Alaskan Native0.0Asian9.0Black or African American4.0 Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish17.0Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander0.0White25.0 |
Distance CampusesNo On-Campus HousingNo |
Primary CredentialsMaster's degree (not Master's of Public Health) Type of MastersMSPAS: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Undergraduate Pre-Professional PhaseNo |
Accept Transfer StudentsNo Accept International ApplicantsYes Only Accept Pre-ProfessionalNo information provided |
Special TracksNo |
Unique Program FeaturesNo information provided |
Support for VeteransClinical partnerships;Veteran faculty |
Other InformationNo information provided |
Tuition
GPA Requirements
Minimum Overall GPA RequiredNo GPA minimum required
Minimum Overall Prerequisite GPA Required3.00
Requirements & Prerequisites
Required Pre-requisite Courses:
|
Required ShadowingRecommended |
Required Health Care ExperienceRecommended Minimum Health Care Experience HoursNo information provided Required Direct Patient Care ExperienceNo information provided Minimum Direct Patient Care HoursNo information provided Virtual Experience Hours AcceptedNo information provided |
Required Onsite InterviewYes Required Writing SampleNo Required Personal StatementYes |
Required Bachelor DegreeYes |
Required Standardized TestsTOEFL;GRE Other Standardized TestsNo information provided |
Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Score152 Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Percentile56 Average Analytical Writing GRE Score3.9 Average Analytical Writing GRE Percentile56 Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Score151 Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Percentile43 |
Mission Statement
The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program is to provide comprehensive medical education to physician assistant students. Through an environment of academic excellence and the promotion of life-long learning and professionalism, graduates will be prepared to practice patient-centered primary care, increasing access to healthcare for diverse and underserved communities of West Texas and beyond.
Additional Links
- Accreditation Status