Physician Assistant Admissions Information

We will begin accepting applications for the 2025 cycle via the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) in April 2024. The application deadline is October 1, 2024.

*CASPA will collect and summarize all of the applicant's data - application form, transcripts, 3-5 letters of recommendation, and personal statement). Early application is highly recommended.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to the physician assistant program:

• Minimum 3.20 overall and science GPA required.
• Grades for prerequisite coursework must be “C” or better.
• 350 hours of direct patient contact experience.
• Shadowing is not required at this time — Candidates are encouraged to shadow a physician assistant, but there is no minimum requirement of shadowing hours.
• Three letters of recommendation requirements:
  • a. One letter from a science professor with whom you completed undergraduate coursework
  • b. One letter from a supervisor or manager, preferably from the supervisor or manager of your direct patient care experience
  • c. One letter from someone of the applicant’s choice
• Interviews are by invitation only and are granted on a rolling basis.
• Application deadline is October 1st

**If any courses, degree completion or healthcare experience hours are in progress at the time of application, they must be completed by matriculation. Documentation will need to be submitted as requested by the program. Applications incomplete or missing this information may be delayed during the review process. Students with more than 3 required prerequisite courses that are outstanding or incomplete at the time of application are encouraged to apply in the next year's admission cycle. Applicants with less than 350 hours of patient care experience or missing letters of recommendation may not be considered for an interview.

Prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of matriculation. All prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of "C" or better. Online courses and labs will be accepted. All prerequisite coursework must be completed before matriculation into the program.

All prerequisites must be completed before matriculation.; If you have 3 or more prerequisites incomplete or outstanding at the time of your application, it is recommended that you apply in the next year’s admission cycle. All grades need to be reflected on your transcript at the time of submission, otherwise, your application will be flagged as “does not meet minimum requirements.” Priority will be given to applicants with all prerequisites completed. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

• General Biology I + II with lab (8 credits)
• General Chemistry I + II with lab (8 credits)
• Organic Chemistry with lab or Biochemistry with lab (4 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Psychology (3 credits)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I + II with lab (8 credits)
• Medical Terminology (1 credit)

a. All science prerequisites should be those offered for "science majors"
b. The program will accept an upper-level Human Anatomy course with lab (4-credits) and a separate Physiology course with lab (4-credits)
c. The program will accept an abnormal psychology or developmental psychology course (3-credits) for the general psychology prerequisite
d. The program prefers an introductory statistics course (3-credits), but will also accept a biostatistics course

A minimum of 350 hours of volunteer or paid direct, hands-on patient contact hours must be documented as part of the CASPA application. The following qualify as patient contact:

• Athletic trainer (certified or student)
• Cardiac bypass technician
• Cardiovascular perfusionist
• Dental Assistant
• Dental Hygienist
• Dietician
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Clinical Nutritionist
• Clinical Research Assistant with direct in-person patient contact
• Community Health Worker with direct patient contact
• Emergency Department Technician
• EKG Technician
• EMT
• Exercise Physiologist (cardiac rehab)
• Foreign Medical Graduate (physician)
• Healthcare-Related Technician
• Home Healthcare Aide (not housework or personal assistant)
• Laboratory Assistant with direct patient contact
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Corpsman
• Medical Scribe 
• Military Medic
• Nurse (RN or LPN)
• Nurse Midwife
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Nursing Assistant 
• Occupational Therapist 
• Occupational Therapy Aide 
• Orthopedic Technician 
• Paramedic 
• Phlebotomist
• Physical Therapist
• Physical Therapy Aide
• Prosthetist
• Radiographer/Radiologic Technologist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Speech Therapist
• Surgical Technician (OR Tech)
• Ultrasound Technician

Along with the University, the PA Program strives to create a safe and welcoming environment that embraces differences Saint Joseph’s University recognizes that a diverse campus community is essential to enriching intellectual exchanges and enhancing cultural understanding, and as such, values equality of opportunity, mutual respect and diversity. The University does not discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, religion, creed, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or in violation of federal, state and local laws or executive orders. 

Applications from students who meet minimum requirements will be reviewed, but meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance to the program. Saint Joseph’s PA program reserves the right to update or revise, without notice, admissions criteria and procedures and to make exceptions to admissions policies when it is deemed appropriate.

All applications are considered holistically. Saint Joseph's Pre-PA students who meet requirements of their pathway are eligible for a guaranteed interview.

The following are the technical standards that apply to all clinical training students in Saint Joseph’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

Technical standards are the non-academic admission criteria that are essential to participation in the University’s programs. These standards are categorized into the following areas: [1] communication; [2] cognition; [3] behavioral/professionalism; and [4] psychomotor skills. Applicants and students must have and maintain the ability to perform or meet these essential tasks, skills and standards with or without reasonable accommodations. By applying to and accepting admission to Saint Joseph’s University, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the Technical Standards and believe that you have the ability to meet them, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Saint Joseph’s University recognizes that a diverse campus community is essential to enriching intellectual exchanges and enhancing cultural understanding. The University values equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and an appreciation of diversity. As part of this commitment, the University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.1 The University is not required to waive these essential standards, because that would be a fundamental alteration of the nature of these programs. Please refer to the Disability Services Policy for more information.

Students with disabilities who believe they require an accommodation(s) to either meet these Technical Standards, to fully access the admissions process, and/or to participate in and benefit from the program curriculum and other programs and services of Saint Joseph’s University, are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Disability Services or 610-660-1774 to participate in a confidential consultation. Accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students are encouraged to contact the SDS as early as possible to allow for adequate time to consider and implement any approved accommodations.

Communication

Students must be able to:

1. Communicate professionally, effectively, and sensitively with all patients, faculty, staff, classmates, and all members of the healthcare team, both in person and in written form, that reflect professional values and those of the University.
2. Retain, recall, and deliver information in an efficient and timely manner.
3. Accurately share and record information from patients’ records, through history taking, and through communications with the healthcare team.
4. Participate in class discussions/group projects/practice labs for the purpose of delivery and receipt of scientific/medical information.
5. Identify and describe changes in affect, including facial expression, mood, emotions, activity, and posture, of others in the classroom and clinic, and respond appropriately.
6. Communicate effectively with all patients, faculty, staff, classmates, and all members of the healthcare team from varied social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds, regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
7. Explain to other healthcare professionals, patients, and/or caregivers the reason(s) for treatment, preventative measures, disease process, monitoring plans, and need for referral.
8. Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in all conversations, including challenging discussions about death, end of life, adverse events, bad news, disclosure of errors, and other sensitive topics.

Cognition

Students must be able to:

1. Analyze, interpret, and integrate information during patient examinations and throughout patient management to make clinical decisions.
2. Retrieve, recall, retain, and apply medical, scientific, and professional information and literature in the classroom and in clinical experiences.
3. Utilize effective clinical judgment and problem-solving skills to address difficulties in a timely manner within all learning environments.
4. Multi-task, prioritize, and perform tasks in an accurate, logical, and sequential manner.
5. Accurately perform scientific measurements and calculations in clinical environments.
6. Demonstrate the ability to learn effectively through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, remote learning, asynchronous learning, small group discussions, laboratory experiences, individual study, and preparation and presentation of written and oral reports.
7. Acknowledge limitations of knowledge and/or performance in order to obtain appropriate support and provide optimal patient care.

Behavioral/Professionalism

Students must be able to:

1. Exercise professional judgment to maintain patient safety and well-being.
2. Display professional and ethical behavior, including, but not limited to, punctuality, dependability, organization, and responsibility.
3. Self-manage to adapt to rapidly changing environments.
4. Respond promptly and professionally to stressful situations.
5. Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest.
6. Show accountability to patients, society, and the PA profession.
7. Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness by working with all patients, faculty, staff, classmates, and all members of the healthcare team regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
8. Show commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of care, confidentiality, patient autonomy, informed consent, business practices, and compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations.
9. Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and education of students and other healthcare professionals.
10. Demonstrate commitment to personal wellness and self-care that supports the provision of quality patient care.
11. Display integrity, empathy, interpersonal skills, motivation, compassion, and concern for others.
12. Self-reflect, be receptive to feedback, and modify behavior to improve skills, patient-client relationships, and patient/client outcomes.
13. Establish and maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with all patients, students, faculty, staff, preceptors/supervisors, and other professionals under all circumstances and regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
14. Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness, delegate responsibilities, and function as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
15. Identify and take responsibility for one’s own actions and decisions, inclusive of seeking supervision and/or consultation in a timely manner.
16. Demonstrate respect for differences in cultures, experiences, identities, values, and ethics among others.
17. Recognize and respond appropriately and in a timely manner to potentially unsafe, unsecure, or hazardous situations, including those that are life-threatening.
18. Respect the confidential relationship between healthcare practitioner and patient and not violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or other applicable confidentiality obligations.
19. Abide by the St. Joseph’s Code of Conduct, Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession (located in the student handbook and as developed by the PAEA, NCCPA, PAEA and adopted by the ARC-PA in 2021), and the professional standards of practice in accordance with the respective Oaths of Healthcare Professionals.
20. Must not discriminate against classes or categories of patients in the delivery of healthcare. Such classes and categories include gender, color, creed, race, religion, age, ethnic or national origin, political beliefs, nature of illness, disability, socioeconomic status, physical stature, body size, gender identity, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Psychomotor/Motor

Students must be able to:

1. Elicit information from all patients (standardized or clinical) and fellow classmates by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers regardless of the person’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
2. Have sufficient motor skills to provide general patient care and to provide emergency treatment for patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of a physician assistant are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medications, the application of pressure to arrest bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers.
3. Accurately measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information
4. Use knowledge of three-dimensional relationships and spatial relationships of structures to effectively make clinical decisions.
5. Use technology to learn, study, take exams, record information, and convey information in a timely and efficient manner under all circumstances, places, times, and events.
6. Possess sufficient psychomotor abilities and manual dexterity, or functional equivalent, to proficiently demonstrate all program-specific competencies, including, but not limited to:
   1. Carrying out basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, wet mount, gram stain, etc.)
   2. Executing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (phlebotomy, venipuncture, placement of catheters and tubes)
   3. Reading ECG's and X-rays.

Under no circumstances will a student be given credit towards courses in the PA Program. All program credit and progression requirements are required to be completed in accordance with PA Program policy, which includes completion of all course work as outlined in the Graduate PA Student Handbook.