Physician Assistant Studies

The goal of the admission process for the Ottawa University Master of Science in PA Studies Program is to recruit, select, and retain applicants who reflect the population. The process employs holistic consideration of experiences, attributes, and academic metrics.

Applicants must utilize the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) to apply and submit the required fee.

Submission of official transcripts of all previous college/university coursework. Applicant must have graduated from a regionally accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (per 4.0 scale) on previous coursework. Proof of current, unrestricted RN Licensure in U.S. (student is to provide a copy or validation of RN license). Licenses will be verified. Completed Ottawa University graduate student application for admission. Criminal background check. Current resume/CV. Career statement of professional experience and goals in nursing (no more than 2 pages). Please include current and previous work experience as an RN and other career achievements. (At least 500 words). Three professional or academic letters of recommendation. Copy of current CPR (professional/healthcare) card. Evidence of current immunizations (with health status form). Signed Acknowledgement of Ottawa University Nursing Program Accountability Form.

Admission Requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited College or University

    • US Citizens.

    • Permanent Residents of the United States: Must provide a copy of their permanent resident card before admission. Note: Permanent residency status "pending" is not eligible for admission.

  • International Applicants

    • TOEFL score of 100 or better on the internet-based test or secure a TOEFL waiver by the application deadline.

  • Grade Point Average (GPA)

  • No minimum overall Undergraduate GPA

  • Minimum overall Graduate GPA 3.0

  • A minimum “C” for prerequisite courses (Can include undergraduate and/or graduate level courses)

  • All required prerequisite coursework MUST have been finished in the last 10 years. This means they must have been completed on or after September 1, 2015.

  • Course Requirements

    • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)or Advanced Placement (AP) course credit may not be used or substituted to meet prerequisite requirements.

    • Experiential learning is not substituted for prerequisite courses.

    • Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.

    • Courses only offered pass-fail by the college or university due to COVID-19 (Spring 2020 through Spring 2021) will be accepted and will not contribute to the calculated GPA or Pre-Requisite GPA. Pass-fail courses will not be accepted if there is an option to choose pass-fail or graded. If it is not clearly stated on the transcript, a letter will be required from the college or university to confirm that pass-fail was the only option.

    • Applicants cannot have any outstanding course.
       

  • Prerequisite Courses

    • Two (2) semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab. It can be separate, that is, Anatomy with lab 2 semesters and Physiology 2 semesters.

    • One (1) semester of Microbiology with lab

    • One (1) semester of Biochemistry

    • One (1) semester of Human Genetics

    • One (1) semester of Statistics

    • One (1) semester of Psychology

    • One (1) semester of English Composition/Writing Intensive

    • One (1) semester of Speech

    • One (1) semester of Medical Terminology or a certificate of completion in a Medical Terminology course

  • Direct Patient Care Experience - Applicants must have hands-on, direct contact patient care experience in healthcare.

    • A minimum of 1,000 hours of paid or volunteer work must be completed before applying.

    • Direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting will be evaluated based on the type of experience.

    • Favorable types of experience include:

      • Serving medicallly underserved health professional shortage areas and rural communities.

      • Serving vulnerable populations.

  • Examples of direct patient care experiences (paid or volunteer) in a healthcare setting may include but are not limited to MA, CNA, EMT, Paramedic, LPN, RN, Surgical Technician, Athletic Trainer, Behavioral and Mental Health Technician, Physical Therapy Aide, Medical Corpsman, and Medical Scribe.

  • Applicants will submit verifiable information regarding their direct healthcare experiences.

  • Letters of Recommendation

    • Three letters of recommendation are required.

    • Letters should be from physicians (MDs/DOs), PAs, APRNs, research mentors, professors, or volunteer coordinators/supervisors who directly interacted with the applicant within the last three (3) years and can attest to their qualities, strengths, and suitability for a career as a PA.

    • Letters must not be from a family member or peer.
       

  • Personal Statement

  • Supplemental Essay

  • Proof of health insurance coverage

  • Satisfactory performance during the interview