Physician Assistant Studies

Professional Level Curriculum Admission Criteria

OCTOBER 1, 2011 DEADLINE - All application materials are due to GVSU's Admissions Office no later than October 1.

Admission to the Physician Assistant Studies Program is competitive. The criteria for consideration for admission, acceptance, and matriculation are as follows:

1. Submit the Graduate Application.

2. Prerequisite Coursework. A minimum grade of “C” must be attained in all prerequisite coursework. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA in the prerequisite coursework and in their last 60 hours of coursework to be considered for admission. All prerequisite coursework and a bachelor's degree are required by the Month of May prior to fall semester before beginning the professional curriculum.

3. Two recommendations from health professionals, must be submitted with the electronic graduate application. We recommend, but do not require, that at least one letter be from a practicing physician assistant.  Separate letters from references are NOT required.  Only TWO references are required. 

4. Interviews. Satisfactory individual and/or group interviews are required of all final pool applicants.

5. Experience. Applicants should show evidence of 500-plus hours of significant volunteer, work, or observational experience in a health care environment.  This experience must be hands on patient care activities.  This information should be documented on Q#23 of the graduate application.

6. Five Year Course Completion. The following courses must be less than 5 years old at the time of application: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

7. Foreign-born applicants should be able to communicate well in English.  Minimal scores of TOEFL 600 or equivalent computer-based TOEFL are expected.

8. International students must have last 30 hours of higher education coursework taken at an established & accredited U.S. institution.

The rare student who feels they have unusual circumstances that impact their ability to meet the above criteria must appeal in writing to the admissions committee as a whole asking for a decision in their case.

Students are accepted for fall entrance only. Students will be informed of admission decisions no later than December. Applicants may be placed on an alternate list to be offered positions in the entering class should a vacancy occur.

Selection Factors

Applicants are considered without regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Motivational factors, life experiences, patient care experience, maturity, and personal characteristics as assessed in personal interviews, and recommendations are important factors in the selection process. An applicant’s academic record is important as an indicator of ability to succeed in an intensive and rigorous medical curriculum. Applicants must meet certain health and technical standards that demonstrate their capacity to function as a physician assistant.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement is not granted into the PAS program. All students must complete the full program. However, if students who apply to GVSU PAS believe they bring certain course work that may satisfy program requirements, they may submit a letter in writing to the program. This letter would include the official transcript of the course with grade as well as the syllabus of record. Approval is up to the individual GVSU course instructors with final approval from the PAS program. This information will only be addressed after acceptance into the GVSU PAS program. This information is not about high school 'advanced placement' coursework.

ALL application materials must be submitted to:

Admissions Office
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI  49401-9403