Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is not required for admission to the physician assistant studies program. Students may complete their bachelor's as part of the master's coursework.
• Prerequisite Coursework: Complete all prerequisite courses by Dec. 31 of the year prior to starting the PA program. Prerequisite courses can be in progress at the time of application.
• GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the CASPA prerequisites and in the last/most recent semester credits. Higher GPAs increase the likelihood of applicants being invited to interview.
• Healthcare Experience: Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience within a healthcare setting. The admissions committee considers hours completed at the time of application.
• Professional Evaluations: Two professional evaluations are required. We recommend at least one evaluation by from a physician assistant who you have worked with or shadowed and who is not a relative or personal relation.
• English Proficiency: International students and those whose first language is not English must demonstrate language proficiency.
• Ability to Perform Essential Functions: Physician assistant training is recognized as a broad-based process requiring the acquisition of general knowledge in all fields of medicine and of the basic skills required for the practice of medicine. Review our essential functions and matriculation requirements.
• Completed Application: Complete an application through the CASPA system and the Pacific University supplemental application.
• Personal Interview: Highly qualified applicants will be invited to an interview, which allows the admissions committee to get to know candidates beyond the application materials.
• No Standardized Testing Required. The Pacific University PA program does not require or evaluate scores from the GRE, PA-CAT, MCAT, CASPer, etc.

Apply Now

The Pacific University School of PA Studies Admissions Committee assesses applicants based on the strength and breadth of their academic record; the type and depth of prior healthcare experience; strength of professional evaluations; understanding of the profession; strength of personal interview; commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, community service, and leadership; and the ability to perform essential functions and meet matriculation requirements.

Pacific University also values applicants’ commitment to serving diverse global communities, focusing on vulnerable, underserved, and rural populations. Special consideration is given to applicants who demonstrate a strong potential to serve in healthcare professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas, reflecting our mission to address healthcare disparities.

How to Apply

• Learn more about Pacific’s PA program. Join a virtual information session via Zoom. These sessions are available to watch from any computer, phone or other device and last about 60-75 minutes. We are unable to offer tours of our Hillsboro Campus, but you can also watch our virtual tour online.
• Check Your Eligibility. Use the unofficial evaluation form to have your coursework evaluated. Our dedicated admissions counselor will evaluate and send a copy back to you in about two weeks.
• Talk to an Admissions Counselor. Reach out to our dedicated admissions counselor to learn more about Pacific’s PA program and admissions processes.
• Complete Your Application. The Pacific University PA program uses the CASPA application system. You will complete the standard CASPA application and the Pacific University supplemental application. Your online application will include:
  • Transcripts from any institutions you have attended.
  • Demonstrated patient care experience. This is documented in the CASPA application and only includes hours completed at the time of application.
  • Two professional evaluations. You will request these evaluations from your professional contacts through the CASPA online application.
  • Essays that demonstrate your commitment to Pacific’s vision for equity, diversity, inclusion, community service, and leadership.
• Attend an Interview.  Highly qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. The interview is required and is a strong contributing factor in the admission decision. In the interview, consideration is given to candidates’ knowledge of the profession, motivation toward a career as a physician assistant, ability to think clearly and logically, self-confidence, verbal expression of ideas and program compatibility. All interviews are conducted virtually via Zoom. We strive to make the experience positive for all applicants and view the interview events as time for applicants to find out what we can offer them in regards to their PA education.