Welcome to the Physician Assistant program's admissions landing page! Applicants are encouraged to fully explore our Admissions Guidebook as well as our website for more information about applying to the Physician Assistant master's program.
The 2026-2027 cycle will open July 1, 2026 with a deadline of March 1, 2027.
Admission Consults
Due to the volume of applications we are processing, individual consultations are not able to be offered. It is extremely rare that the majority of questions cannot be answered through the information provided online and in our Admissions Guidebook. It is recommended that applicants review our Admissions Statistics and critically evaluate the competitiveness of their application compared to the average matriculant.
NOTE: Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee an invitation for an interview.
Fill out our for specific questions about applying to the program, clarification about admissions requirements, or to obtain a personalized URL (PURL) and be connected to an admissions representative.
Our Competitive Application Process
Our competitive admissions process welcomes all applicants from diverse backgrounds with different life and career experiences.
Because our curriculum is rigorous, we place value on an applicant's prior academic history. The highest of the following three possible GPAs will determine the qualifying GPA for an applicant:
- Undergraduate GPA (3.55 average)
- Cumulative GPA (3.59 average)
- Completed U.S. graduate degree GPA (3.84 average)
The prerequisite GPA (3.84 average) is also part of the evaluation process. (Averages are determined by Class of 2028 matriculated students)
Healthcare experience, direct and indirect, and volunteer experience are other attributes of a successful candidate.*** While the program does not require a specific number of healthcare or volunteer hours, those who have been competitive and gained admission have earned:
- 4461 average of total healthcare experience hours (combined Patient Care and Healthcare Experience)
- 495 hours of volunteer experience (average)
- 80% of applicants have reported community service activity
***Meeting these qualifications does not guarantee an interview or admission to the program. Also, the Physician Assistant program does not give advanced standing to any candidate for previous educational or clinical experience. Advanced standing means allowing credit based on previous studies (for example, nursing school or paramedic certification credits) or work experience (RN, EMT, etc).
Application Deadline
A complete application file includes a completed CASPA application by March 1.
If an application is not complete by the March 1 deadline, it will not be considered, regardless of the original CASPA submission date.
Ultimately, it is the applicant's responsibility to be aware of all application requirements and comply with admissions deadlines for the current application cycle to ensure a successful application.
Interview invitations go out during the month of June with interviews conducted mid-July. We conduct a holistic interview process that includes individual and group interviews. The interviews are conducted by the program鈥檚 faculty and community faculty. Questions related to various topics are asked so that faculty and our community faculty can get to know the applicant and determine if the applicant is the right fit for our rigorous program. A separate writing sample is also performed during Interview Day. After the interview process, the full-time faculty meet to discuss the interview candidates and finalize the admissions offers. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic process that includes all elements of the application and the interview.
Students accepting the Admissions Offer and enrolling in the PA Program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at 黑料不打烊 must submit documentation of proof of childhood immunizations and recent tuberculosis screening results. View a full list of .
Completion of all program health requirements is required prior to November 15.
Our program does not have rolling admissions and there is no benefit to submitting an application earlier in the cycle. It is best to apply to our program shortly after you have completed all 8 prerequisite courses and have the final grades listed on your transcript.
2026 Application Cycle
The following dates and timelines are in effect for the 2025-2026 admissions application cycle:
- CASPA application cycle opens: July 1
- due: March 1
- All prerequisites satisfactorily completed by: March 1
- TOEFL completed by: March 1 (if applicable)
- Applications reviewed for completeness by School of Health Professions Admissions: September - May
- Applications reviewed by PA Program Application Review Committee: January - May
- Interview offers made to selected applicants: June
- Bachelor's degree completed by: July 1
- Additional transcripts submitted for any outstanding prerequisite courses since submitting the CASPA application by: July 1 (*prerequisite completion deadline is March 1)
- Interviews conducted: July
- Offers of admission extended: August
- Acceptance of admission offer: 10 calendar days after offer
- Matriculation: January
- Expected graduation: May
COVID-19 Update
Pass/Fail Courses
We are aware that some undergraduate institutions are offering pass/fail grades for courses completed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our program currently accepts up to two (2) prerequisite course with a non-traditional letter grade and a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for admission. Applicants should be aware that pass/fail courses do not contribute to the CASPA GPA calculations, and passing a course will not improve their GPA. An optional essay will be available when completing the CASPA application, and we encourage applicants to explain their circumstances around COVID-19, if applicable. The PA program will update our policies as necessary in order to respond appropriately to emerging circumstances.
Online Courses
We do not discriminate on the basis of where prerequisites courses are taken. Self-paced online courses may not be the best way to complete a prerequisite course for the first attempt. This may be better suited for those repeating a course for a better grade or to update the coursework within the 10-year window.
Information Sessions
Information sessions are intended to cover the basics of the PA profession, overview the pathway to becoming a PA and specifics about the application process and educational dynamics of our program.
Our next on-campus Open House will be held in Fall 2026. Date to be determined.
If you were unable to attend the live session, we invite you to watch our to explore the program at your convenience.
Campus Tours
If you are interested in visiting and interacting with current students, we encourage you to sign up for a scheduled campus tour. Tours are a great opportunity to experience the environment and interact with current PA students. Family and guests are welcome to join.
Due to COVID-19, on-site campus tours are temporarily postponed. In the meantime, we welcome you to tour our facilities . To be notified when on-site tours resume, .
