Pacific University is committed to supporting the needs of vulnerable and underserved communities through healthcare. This commitment is tied to both our admissions and clinical experience opportunities. The Pacific PA program offers special admissions opportunities for students from Hawai‘i, students connected to Indigenous communities, and students who are veterans.
Hawaii Outreach Initiatve
Pacific University has a long standing history with students from Hawai‘I, and the School of Physician Assistant Studies is committed to addressing the physician assistant workforce issues in Hawai‘i.
The Hawai‘i Outreach Initiative is both an admissions opportunity as well as a clinical rotation priority in the state of Hawai’i. In order to show our commitment to Hawai’i, we will extend invitations to interview to the top five scoring Hawai’i Outreach applicants each year. While this does not guarantee admission, it is an acknowledgment of our dedication to Hawai‘i and the changing needs of the Islands.
In order to qualify for the Hawai’i Outreach Initiative, a prospective student must have a strong connection to Hawai’i and have active plans to return to the islands to practice as a PA. The strong connection may be shown by one or more of the following: current address, permanent address, high school diploma, college diploma, driver’s license, or Native Hawaiian ancestry.
If students from Hawai‘i are admitted to the program they will complete their didactic phase in Hillsboro, Oregon, with the rest of the incoming class. Students in the Hawai‘i Outreach Initiative will have preference for the available clinical rotations in Hawai‘i. Rotations are subject to availability. Pacific University continually seeks out rotation sites in Hawai‘i which will provide students with quality experiences and networking opportunities.
There is no separate application for the Hawai‘i Outreach Initiative. Students are initially identified through their application materials and their stated commitment, on the Supplemental Application, to return to Hawai‘i following graduation to work as a PA.
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
If you are Native Hawaiian and interested in serving in medically underserved areas in Hawai'i after graduation, you might be interested in the following program. The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) addresses access to health care by developing a Native Hawaiian healthcare workforce of professionals committed to serve the unique health needs of Hawaiian communities. The program recruits and nurtures professionals in-training for primary health care disciplines and specialties most needed to deliver quality, culturally competent health services to Native Hawaiians throughout the State of Hawai‘i.
Indigenous Health Outreach Initiative
The Indigenous Health Outreach Initiative is both an admissions opportunity as well as a clinical rotation priority in Tribal and Indian Health Services (IHS) sites. In order to show commitment to Indigenous health, we extend interview invitations to the top five scoring Indigenous Health Outreach applicants each year. While this does not guarantee admission, it is an acknowledgment of our dedication to Indigenous Health.
In order to qualify for the Indigenous Outreach Health Initiative, a prospective student must have a strong connection to Indigenous populations and have active plans to return to Indigenous Healthcare to practice as a PA. The strong connection may be shown by one or more of the following: lived experience in a tribal community or tribal health, work history in tribal or IHS sites, or membership in an Indigenous community.
Admitted students will complete their didactic phase in Hillsboro, Oregon, with the rest of the incoming class. Students in the Indigenous Health Outreach Initiative will have preference for the available clinical rotations in tribal and IHS sites. Rotations are subject to availability. Pacific University continually seeks out rotation sites which will provide students with quality experiences and networking opportunities.
There is no separate application for the Indigenous Health Outreach Initiative. Students are initially identified through their application materials and their stated commitment, on the Supplemental Application, to return to tribal or IHS sites following graduation to work as a PA.
Veterans Outreach Initiative
The Pacific University's School of Physician Assistant Studies has a longstanding history of supporting veterans to become physician assistants.
The Veterans Outreach Initiative is an admissions advantage. The top seven veteran applicants, who meet all minimum criteria required by the School of Physician Assistant Studies, will be granted an interview. While this does not guarantee admission, it is an acknowledgment of our dedication to veterans and their needs.
There is no separate application for the Veterans Outreach Initiative. Students are initially identified through their CASPA and Supplemental Application.
Bachelor's Degree Completion Option
Originally designed for veterans, the bachelor's degree completion program is open to all students. The School of Physician Assistant Studies acknowledges non-traditional routes to the PA profession. Students who meet minimum qualifications but do not have a bachelor's degree can complete their bachelor's during their first year of PA school on their way to earning their master's.