Admission Requirements
The Weber State University (WSU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program application process is through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) system. The yearly CASPA application cycle opens at the end of April. Once CASPA verifies applications, they will qualify for screening and review by the WSU admissions committee. We strongly encourage candidates to apply early.
Students are required to complete all components of the WSU PA Program curriculum. There are no waivers for required program coursework, and we do not accept previous professional-level coursework or experience for advanced placement within the program.
The WSU PA Program application cycle closes September 1 at 11:59 P.M. MST.
Requirements and Recommendations
- Degree Requirement: Applicants must be awarded a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited US institution of higher education before enrollment.
- GPA Requirement: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), as calculated by CASPA, are required.
Prerequisite Coursework
Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT)
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All students are required to take the PA-CAT. No minimum score is required unless prerequisite science-based coursework was completed more than seven years before the application deadline.
In such instances, applicants must score within the third decile to demonstrate equivalent academic preparation and readiness for the curriculum. To report scores, select the Weber State University PA Program in the applicant's candidate score portal.
Applicants must report scores to the PA Program by the application deadline of September 1. It can take multiple weeks to schedule an exam; it is recommended that applicants plan ahead and schedule their exams early. PA-CAT scores are valid for two years.
To learn more about how to take the exam, go to the PA-CAT website.
Clinical Healthcare Experience
A minimum of 500 hours of paid clinical healthcare experience must be accrued within seven years of the application deadline and recorded as part of the official CASPA application.
Experiences in hospital medicine and/or those in positions requiring autonomous, high-level medical decision-making are scored highest. Hours obtained observing, shadowing or as part of an educational program will not count toward the 500 hours.
Healthcare hours and clinical experience are subject to verification, and the program reserves the right to contact supervisors to confirm reported hours.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the CASPA portal and should come from a professional and reputable source.
A minimum of three (3) letters are required to apply to the program.
Competitive Candidate Criteria
The program aims to select candidates whose backgrounds and interests align with our mission, goals and values.
Candidates with a science GPA of 3.5 or higher, as calculated by CASPA, and who complete two or more of the following criteria will receive preference (additional points). These candidates are more likely to advance to the faculty review portion of the admission process.
Criteria include:
- Being an alumni, faculty and staff from a Utah college and/or university
- Three or more of the recommended courses
- PA-CAT composite scores in the first decile
- Service in a leadership role for more than 40 weeks
- More than 4,000 hours of clinical healthcare experience in an in-patient medicine setting
- More than 2,000 hours of clinical healthcare experience in positions requiring autonomous, high-level medical decision-making
Each of the listed criteria is evaluated and weighted individually. Academic strength, quality and quantity of healthcare experience, and evidence of leadership will be weighted higher on an ascending scale during the application screening and review process. Candidates with higher scores are more likely to be invited for an interview.
International Applicants
International applicants can apply to the Weber State University (WSU) PA Program if they meet our admissions requirements.
Applicants with international medical degrees are ineligible to apply unless they also hold a qualifying degree (bachelor’s or higher) from a regionally accredited US institution of higher education prior to matriculation. We do not provide waivers or exceptions for applicants without a qualifying degree.
International applicants are responsible for maintaining their F-1 student status while in the United States. For more information, please refer to the current section of the WSU International Student and Scholar Center (ISSC).
For purposes of admissions and financial aid, US permanent residents are considered equivalent to US citizens.
Contact
Jessica Septon
Enrollment Director
wsupaadmissions@weber.edu