MASTERS OF SCIENCE Physician Assistant Studies

• All prerequisite courses must be taken at a U.S. regionally accredited institution.
• You may have 2 outstanding prerequisites at the time of application submission/completion but must successfully complete all by June 15, 2025 with a course grade of a "B minus" or higher.
• Required minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (either original or last 60; whichever is better*)
• Required minimum prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Recommended minimum science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A grade of "B minus" or higher is required with all prerequisite coursework.
• Prerequisite courses (Except Anatomy and Physiology courses) must be completed within 10 years of matriculation . (taken before Summer 2015 = expired, may need to be repeated unless higher level coursework in same course subjects - contact pa-admissions@ltu.edu for questions on this matter).
• *Anatomy & *Physiology prerequisites must be completed within *5 years of matriculation (taken before Summer 2020 = expired)
• CLEP credits and P/F credits will not be considered for prerequisites.  AP credits and Credit/No Credit will be reviewed on a case by case basis but must have a calculated grade determined by the course director/instructor.
• *  Last 60 credits of coursework will be calculated in an attempt to improve your cumulative GPA; LTU will consider whichever GPA is higher for your application. This is calculated automatically
  • Anatomy + Lab – one full course in human anatomy with lab is required (or may complete a 2-semester series of anatomy and physiology with a minimum of one lab to meet both the anatomy and physiology prerequisites)
  • Physiology + Lab – one full course with lab in human physiology is required (see above)
  • Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry – one course is required
  • Microbiology + Lab – one course with lab is required
  • Statistics or Biostatistics – one course is required
  • Developmental Psychology - one course in required
• You are strongly encouraged to verify your prerequisite equivalencies (those you have already taken and those you plan to take) by going to our " Transfer Equivalency System " and searching for your school.
• If you are unable to verify your courses or still have additional questions about course equivalencies please contact our admissions office at  pa-admissions@ltu.edu .

Other Encouraged Courses:

Pathophysiology - This course integrates the specific characteristics and mechanisms of normal and abnormal functioning of tissues and organs of the human body organized in a systems-based approach. Students will learn the relationships of function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, tissue organ and systemic levels.

Medical terminology is not required but strongly encouraged as you will be testing on your medical terminology knowledge the first week of classes. This course is available in a variety of settings including online courses that would prepare you for the exam.

Genetics is strongly encouraged as a foundational class for the PA curriculum and the understanding of new treatments targeted at the genetics of individuals.

Ethics or Medical Ethics  – The LTU PA program is committed to the ethical considerations of medicine and a foundation in ethics is invaluable in providing a framework from which to build and integrate this approach.

Waivers

1.   If the applicant has been continuously employed in a field that demonstrates ongoing knowledge and application of the materials covered then a waiver may be considered for one specific prerequisite course. (Example - a professor in Microbiology could apply a waiver towards the Microbiology prerequisite)

2.   The applicant has completed a higher-level course(s) in the subject of the prerequisite requirement with a minimum of a B average within the past three years.

Direct Patient Care Experience  – As an applicant, you must have completed at least 750 hours of direct patient care experience* as an employee in a medical office, hospital, or extended-care facility. Acceptable roles include CNA (certified nursing assistant), medical assistant, EMT (emergency medical technician) or paramedic, radiology technician, ECG technician, LPN or RN,  phlebotomist, medical scribe**, physical therapy assistant, surgical tech, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, athletic trainer and others. Patient care experiences obtained through the military (combat medic, field medical tech, etc.) are also competitive. Please contact the program with any questions regarding qualifying patient care experience.  You must have a minimum of 500 hours completed in order for your application to be reviewed and a plan to reach the required 750 by June 15, 2025 .  Please make timely updates in your CASPA application. 

*This is defined as direct, hands on care of patients and the most competitive candidates will have 1000+ hours of direct patient care experience with the required hours completed at the time of application.

**Medical scribe experience can account for up to 500 hours of the total hours required but must be combined with actual hands on experience of at least 250 hours.

PA Shadowing

• Shadow a physician assistant (must include name, title, address, email, and phone number of each provider listed)
• Minimum of 20 hours, in person shadowing strongly preferred, maximum virtual shadowing of 10 hrs allowed

Lawrence Technological University PA program strongly encourages all applicants to take the PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admission Test). The PA-CAT is a specialized test designed to measure applicant knowledge in key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school. The PA-CAT will highlight an applicant’s areas of weakness and provide materials prior to matriculation to assist the applicants to be better prepared to start LTUs PA program.

For information about the PA-CAT and to schedule your exam, visit their website at  www.PA-CAT.com.
For PA-CAT Fee Assistance Program information visit their website at   exammaster.aweb.page/feeassistance.

PA-CAT OR GRE Test (Only one is needed to Apply, However, the PA-CAT is STRONGLY recommended)

Register early to ensure site availability & receipt of results, which can take up to 6 weeks.

LTU's GRE Designated Code: 2863

For the GRE link, click here!

LTU's PA-CAT Designated Institution Code: MI2205

Step 1: Go to PA-CAT, click here! to register, pay and schedule your exam date for the PA-CAT.
Step 2: Study for the PA-CAT with resources provided on their website: www.PA-CAT.com . Instructions on how to access the resources are included in your registration confirmation email.

PA-CAT format:

• 240 multiple-choice test items
• 9 prerequisite science subjects presented randomly
• 4.5-hour total exam window
• Electronically administered by Prometric

ACUITY INSIGHTS - CASPER (supports the holistic approach of applicants, going beyond GPA's and test scores)

• Provides a standardized evaluation of social intelligence and professionalism
• Is an open-response format that elicits authentic answers, with less chance of “gaming” the system
• Gives a single score which is easily integrated into your admissions process
• Video and word-based scenarios, each with open-ended questions that need timed response
• Applicants respond to questions using video and written formats
• Each applicant is scored by multiple human raters, who go through extensive training
• Single z-score provided to programs, applicants receive quartile score
• 90-110 minutes for applicants to complete

To take the Casper test, click here!  (create an account and register to complete the following assessment):   

You will register for Acuity Insights (Casper) for the US Professional Health Sciences test (CSP-10101).

NOTE: Snapshot & Duet (part of Acuity Insights) are NOT required to apply.

Technical Standards for Admission, Academic Promotion and Graduation

The purpose of this document is to specify the technical standards the University deems necessary for a student to matriculate, remain in good standing and ultimately achieve all the competencies/outcomes necessary for graduation within the PA program. The University, therefore, requires candidates to confirm their ability to comply with these standards, with or without accommodation, as a condition of admission and on an annual basis thereafter.

Fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements of any specific residency program or employment settings.

Read the document

Accepted students must complete a criminal background check, which may include a drug screen, through the LTU preferred vendor. Results must be released to LTU prior to matriculation. Students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records as related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions which occur following completion of the initial criminal background check. Admission to the program may be revoked if misrepresentations or omissions from the application are noted in the background check. LTU students may be required to complete annual criminal background checks,  which may include drug screening, while enrolled in the LTU PA Program.

Three (3) letters of reference are required. Additional letters will not be considered by the program. Reference letters should not be from personal friends or family members. Letters of reference must be submitted directly to CASPA and postmarked prior to the application deadline. Letters of reference will only be accepted through CASPA. No exceptions. Examples include physician assistant, science professor, physician, nurse, previous employer (preferred in healthcare) and mentors.

The program does not accept transfer credits or advanced placement into the program.

The LTU PA Program requires all incoming students to demonstrate a history of all required vaccinations and immunizations being up to date. Students are not permitted to register for classes or begin clinical rotations until all required immunizations and vaccinations are complete. This policy is based on the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for health professionals found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/  

Vaccine Requirements

Tuberculosis Requirement

A tuberculin skin test OR Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test must be completed no more than three months prior to matriculation. Students with latent TB please follow CDC guidelines:  www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/testing/

Permanent Residents

Applicants who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. will be required to provide a copy of their permanent resident card ("green card") prior to admission. Permanent residents will apply through the standard application process. If admitted to LTU, a notarized copy of your permanent resident card (green card) will be required as part of your conditions of enrollment. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide appropriate documentation with valid expiration date which covers the duration of your degree program.

NOTE: Applicants with permanent residency status “pending” are not eligible for admission.

Transcripts for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

Applicants with degrees earned outside the U.S. should plan to fulfill all standard application requirements, and additionally are required to submit a course-by-course Foreign Transcript Evaluation per one of the services listed below:

• World Education Services  (WES)
• Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.  (ECE)
• SpanTran

Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. equivalence by one of these evaluation services and an official copy must be sent from the service directly to CASPA and LTU. Your application will not be complete and cannot be verified without an official course-by-course evaluation. ECFMG certification does not waive this requirement. In addition, please follow the instructions provided by CASPA regarding transcript or evaluation submission.

TOEFL iBT Score

TOEFL iBT is required of all international applicants unless the applicant has earned all credits from courses needed to earn their bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited University within the United States. Results from the IELTS or USMLE are not accepted in lieu of TOEFL iBT. There is no waiver for this requirement. The minimum TOEFL iBT score is 95.

LTU school code is 1399

Take the Test

Our program does not require supplemental applications. To apply, please proceed to the CASPA portal and complete your application. The LTU PA Program Admissions Committee evaluates all completed applications and extends interviews to competitive applicants who align with the program's Mission and Vision, as determined by the committee. Not all applicants will qualify for an interview, and not all interviewed candidates will secure a spot in the program.

The LTU PA Program Admissions Committee will communicate with you via CASPA regarding the status of your application. A total of 30 students will be selected to join the cohort, with additional students selected for the waitlist. We do not disclose information about an applicant's ranking or position. The Admissions Committee will strive to communicate promptly.

Potential outcomes for each applicant include:

• Missing materials (if CASPA deadline passes, your application is incomplete)
• Does not meet minimum requirements
• No offer for interview
• Offer for interview
• No offer following interview
• Offer for seat in cohort
• Offer for waitlist

Factors that our Admissions Committee values and that strengthen a candidate's application include:

Traits desirable in a future physician assistant such as empathy, compassion advocacy, previous accomplishments, diverse life experiences, a comprehensive knowledge of the PA profession and significant knowledge of how to deliver health care. Additional experiences not listed above which demonstrate these traits may include: mission work, unique life experiences and unique leadership positions. Alignment between the applicant's Mission and Vision and that of the program can significantly impact the decision regarding interview and/or admission.

To enhance an applicant's chances of being interviewed or admitted, consider the following factors:

• Students that have taken the PA-CAT prior to application review
• Higher number of direct patient care hours
• First-generation college student
• Economically disadvantaged student
• Underserved area (urban or rural)
• Underrepresented (in the PA profession)
• Veterans or active military
• Volunteer service
• Leadership/Research experience
• Advanced Healthcare Training (PT, OT, Paramedic, Rad Tech, Exercise Physiologist, etc.)

Applicants who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, may consider the following factors to enhance their chances of being interviewed or admitted:

• LTU graduates
• Current full-time LTU students
• Employees of LTU
• Children or spouse of LTU employees
• Employees of Ascension Health
• Children or spouse of Ascension Health employees