If you hope to become a Physician Assistant and you are considering application to the Emory PA program, you can find answers to many of your questions about our curriculum, costs, financial aid, student life, and other issues by first visiting the Entry Level PA Training  and the Frequently Asked Questions sections of our website.

Emory now offers a dual degree option ( PA - MMSc/ MPH) in collaboration with the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory. You can read more about this program here. This information has been recently updated (2008). If you are considering the combined degree program, please review this update.

Application Process

Emory University is a participant in CASPA (Centralized Application Service for PAs). This is a web-based service which allows candidates to apply to multiple participating programs. CASPA verifies your application for accuracy processes the application electronically and forwards your application materials to your designated PA Programs.

Please note that CASPA requires all materials be received, including letters of recommendation and payment, before sending information to the PA Program. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure these materials are received by CASPA.

For further information on CASPA:

            Telephone: 240.497.1895

            Email: apply@caspaonline.org

            https://secure.caspaonline.org

Supplemental Application:

A supplemental application is required of ALL applicants to the Emory PA Program. This is in addition to the CASPA application. Your application to Emory is not complete, and cannot be processed, until we receive your supplemental application. There is a $30 fee for the supplemental application. You will need to start your CASPA application and have a CASPA number before completing the Emory supplemental application.  Once you have your CASPA number and are ready to complete the Emory Supplemental Application, please follow this link.

Early Priority Deadline:

Meeting this deadline affords the candidate the opportunity to be considered for a Fall 2008 interview. All supporting materials, including supplemental application, must be received by August 1, 2008 to be considered.

Deadlines:

Admissions Requirements:

Admission to the Emory PA Program is highly competitive. The Admissions Committee makes every attempt to select those candidates who show promise of becoming outstanding physician assistants. Admissions requirements are reviewed and revised annually. Applicants should verify current requirements with the PA Program and be sure to use the current application materials and requirements. Decisions are made based on a thorough evaluation of all aspects of the candidate’s completed application, including:

1.                  Academic record and potential, including GRE performance within the past 5 years (submit to institution code 5187)

2.                  Written narrative statements

3.                  Personal references      

4.                  Previous health care experience

5.                  Personal, on-site interview

As health care providers, PAs have daily interactions with patients and families from diverse backgrounds. The Emory PA Program highly values diversity within our profession and our classrooms. Our students represent a wide range of educational experiences, health care backgrounds, socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic origins, ethnicity, and religion. The PA Program continues to actively recruit and matriculate students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The following is a snapshot of the class entering Fall 2008. This information may be used by the candidate to personally assess their application. Please note that these are average results among the accepted class, however, we evaluate each applicant and completed application on its own merits. Admissions decisions are based not only on academic history and potential, but also on motivation, maturity, interpersonal skills, knowledge of the PA profession and the healthcare system and the mission of the Emory PA Program.

Prerequisite requirements

Academic Course Requirements

All applicants must have completed an academic core of undergraduate course work which consists of at least 35 semester hours (52 quarter hours).

·        Natural Sciences:       15 semester hours (22 quarter hrs)   (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

o       Required natural science courses:

§         Biology with lab                        1 semester (2 quarters)

§         General Chemistry                    1 semester (2 quarters)

§         Organic OR Biochemistry         1 semester (2 quarters)

§         Note: “survey of” or “principles of” courses may not meet this requirement. May need approval of the Director of Admissions.

§         All required courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better

o       Recommendations

§         We also recommend courses in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and Microbiology in order to best prepare for the PA Program curriculum.

All courses taken to satisfy the requirements must be taken from an accredited institution. Each course must be completed at a grade level of “C” or better and must be completed prior to matriculation. All courses are subject to approval by the Admissions Committee and cannot be taken on a Pass/Fail basis, as CLEP credit, or audited.

Graduates of International Institutions

All graduates of international institutions must present transcripts of at least one full academic year (24 semester or 36 quarter hours) as a full-time student, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada. Preferably with coursework in sciences and English.

Applicants whose native language is not English must successfully complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Testing (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum of 25 for the Speaking component and a total score of at least 93. 

Health Care Experience

Working in a health care environment with other members of the health care team is valued for the indication of interest and commitment of the applicant to a career in healthcare. It can offer the applicant an opportunity to understand the role of the PA on the healthcare team and better appreciate the interrelationships of all healthcare providers in the care of the patient. Experience can be gained in a wide variety of areas, including as a few examples: hospital/ED technician, nursing assistant/aide, EMT/Paramedic, OR technicians, PT assistant, respiratory therapy aide, etc.

Applicants are highly encouraged to seek out interactions with PAs in a variety of healthcare settings to better understand the role of a PA in various specialties

Costs, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

You'll find more information about these issues on our Entry Level PA Training page.

Other Important Information

If you have not already done so, please visit the Entry Level PA Training  and Frequently Asked Questions sections of this website for links to more important information about the Emory PA Program. Many of your questions can be answered by visiting this page.

This page last updated on 04/29/2008.

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