The Lenoir-Rhyne University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applicants for the class beginning each January will apply online using the CASPA application.
The application cycle is now closed for the January 2020 term.
The application cycle will open from September 1, 2019 through March 1, 2020 for the January 2021 start date.
CASPA can take up to four weeks to process an application before it is made available to Lenoir-Rhyne. CASPA downloads are received weekly. Once the completed application is received and verified it is reviewed by the program’s admission committee.
Interviews are a requirement for admission. Approximately 150 of the most qualified applicants will be invited to campus for an interview with the PA faculty.
Selection for the Physician Assistant Studies program is very competitive. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will generally exceed the minimum criteria for consideration for admission.
Each applicant must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, prior to matriculation.
- Completion of all the prerequisite coursework with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Science GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with a score of 301 (new exam scale) and/or 1000 (old exam scale) or greater within the past 5 years. Applicants with lesser scores will be evaluated individually based on their course work, GPA and medical experience.
- The required science courses must be retaken if it has been more than ten years since taking the courses and/or earning degree.
- Applicants with prior advanced graduate degrees are exempt from taking the GRE exam.
The Following Items Must Be Submitted:
- Submit three letters of recommendation, one from a Medical provider (MD, DO, PA, and NP), one from a Professor and one from an employer or coach.
- Personal Statement: (2 page maximum). Discuss/explain your life philosophy, educational and professional goals, and why you have chosen the PA profession.
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association is required upon enrollment in the program. Most clinical sites do not recognize other institutions.
| REQUIRED COURSES | |
| Biology I & II with Lab | Psychology (at least one semester) |
| Microbiology with Lab | Sociology or Social Science (at least one semester) |
| Chemistry I & II with Lab | Statistics |
| Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab | Calculus or higher |
| Biochemistry with Lab | Medical Terminology |
| Anatomy I & II with Lab and Physiology I & II with Lab or a combined A&P I & II with Lab | Genetics |
| Physics I | |
Applicants are encouraged to have the following:
- Medical Experience: Applicants with medical experience will be given favorable consideration. Highly recommended.
- Veterans, especially those with medical experience will be given favorable consideration.
- Shadowing and Volunteering/Community Service: Strongly encouraged, particularly if medical experience is lacking, but is not required.
- Experience: Applicants are encouraged to obtain patient care experience, sufficient to recognize the physical and psychological demands of dealing with patients and to appreciate the challenges and rewards of being a health care professional. Health care experiences should provide the applicant with a knowledge and/or orientation to the signs and symptoms of a variety of ill or injured patients.
- Work experience in health sciences fields such as RN, CNA, LPN, LVN, Military Medic, EMT/Paramedic, X-ray Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Athletic Trainer, Dietician/Nutritionist etc. are what the program considers as medical/health care experience with patient contact. All health care experiences will be evaluated on an individual basis, with an emphasis on direct patient care.
- For the prospective applicants that do not have a background and experience in a patient care related health science profession, it is highly recommended that they obtain training and experience through a certificate course/program in area such as: Phlebotomist, Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Patient Care Technician etc.
Other Considerations:
- MCAT may not be substituted for the GRE
- Must meet the Program Technical Standards
- Lenoir-Rhyne 3+2 Program (Pre PA)
- Meeting the minimum requirements guarantees consideration for the Physician Assistant program, but does not imply automatic acceptance.
Foreign Medical Graduate:
Applicants who are foreign medical graduates with foreign transcripts or non-grade transcripts must submit a degree equivalent evaluation (an original sealed report from a transcript evaluation service) with their CASPA application.
Transcript evaluation service providers Foreign-born non-U.S. or non-Canadian citizens must:
- Have attended a college or university in the United States for a minimum of one year prior to application
- Submit test scores with CASPA application for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), be able to express themselves clearly to others in spoken English, and have the ability to understand rapidly spoken colloquial English.
- Foreign medical graduates, if accepted, must complete the Program in its entirety.
Advanced Standing and Transfer Policy
Due to considerable variation in physician assistant programs throughout the United States, students of other PA programs will not be accepted for transfer into the Program.
Applicants to the program will not receive advanced standing based upon previous education or credits taken.
Criminal Background Check
Candidates for admission must satisfy a Level One Background check and Drug Screen before being accepted to the program. The student must also complete a second Level One Background and Drug Screen prior to entering the clinical phase of the program. The approved program vendor is CastleBranch (888.723.4263). This service is also available through CASPA.
Failure to complete this action could result in dismissal from the PA Program.
Upon matriculation to the program and annually, thereafter, all students whose education and training will involve participation in clinical settings are required to undergo a criminal background check.
Students are responsible for all expenses related to meeting health requirements, drug screen and background documentation.
Applicants who answer "no" to questions relating to criminal background in their CASPA application, who later matriculate and are found to have a positive criminal background check, are likely to be dismissed from the program on the basis of misrepresentation. In the event of a reported incident, a determination about the applicant’s/student’s continued progress in the academic program will be made by the University in accordance with its policies and procedures.
Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be denied certification or licensure as a health professional. Information regarding eligibility may be obtained from appropriate credentialing boards. Clinical rotation sites may not permit participation in the clinical experience. This should be considered seriously by the candidate prior to application and matriculation.
Applicants are advised that results of criminal background checks and other required background screening will be released to third parties involved in their clinical education.
Criminal offenses incurred after the student matriculates may result in the student’s dismissal from the program. Tuition and fees will not be refunded.
Drug Screen
Upon matriculation to the program and just prior to the beginning of the clinical year students will undergo drug screening. The medical institutions that act as clinical training sites may require drug screens for students before allowing them access to their facility.
The approved program vendor is CastleBranch. Drug screens are conducted at the student’s expense. This service is also available through CASPA.
Physical Examination
Completion of a comprehensive physical examination by a licensed medical provider or family doctor indicating that the applicant has been medically cleared for admission is required.
New Student Health Forms
Health packages include the following:
- Student Health History and Information form
- Physical Examination form
- Immunization Verification form
- Specific health screening and immunization requirements are based on current Centers for Disease Control Recommendations for health professionals.
- Form for drug screening
Upon receipt of your health forms, Student Health Services will provide a letter indicating compliance with health records and immunization requirements.
Please be aware: The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University does not accept AP courses in place of required science courses.
