Admissions

Prerequisites

• Degree Requirements

  Applicants must be awarded a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited US institution of higher education before enrollment. College seniors are eligible to apply if they will receive their bachelor’s degree before the orientation start date and have met all other prerequisites. 

• GPA Requirements

  A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), as calculated by CASPA, are required.

• Prerequisite Coursework

  Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of B- or higher at a regionally accredited US institution of higher learning before applying to the program. It is preferred that applicants complete prerequisite science coursework (human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general chemistry) in person.

  The WSU PA Program reserves the right to change its prerequisites between admission cycles. For information about WSU course equivalencies, please visit the WSU Transfer Guide or the WSU Course Catalog.

  Prerequisite coursework:

  • Chemistry *: A minimum of 7 semester credit hours (12 quarter credits) with laboratory components. Acceptable coursework includes any chemistry discipline (e.g., introductory, general, inorganic, organic, biochemistry) 
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology * (complete one of the following options)
    1. Separate Human Anatomy and Human Physiology series, each with labs
    2. Combined Human Anatomy and Physiology series with labs
  • Microbiology with lab *
  • Psychology 
  • Statistics 
  • Medical Terminology

  * Science-based

• Terms and Conditions for Prerequisite Coursework

  Transcripts
  Prerequisite coursework must be verifiable through official transcripts. Due to the number of applications received, we cannot review transcript content for prospective applicants. All course requirements and prerequisites are published on this website.

  Pass/Fail or Credit/No-Credit Courses
  Prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken on a pass/fail or credit/no-credit basis must be converted to a letter grade. Candidates must ask their home institution to convert the grade and then submit the new official transcript to CASPA for GPA calculation.

  Expired Science-Based Coursework

  • Science prerequisites must be complete within 7 years of the application deadline.
  • If a science prerequisite is older than 7 years and the student earned a B- or higher, the requirement may still be met by scoring in the 2nd decile or higher on the PA-CAT.
  • If a science prerequisite is older than 7 years and the student earned below a B-, the course must be retaken and completed with a B- or higher.
  • Medical Terminology, Psychology, and Statistics do not expire.

   

  Substitutions
  Students granted admission must fulfill all application requirements. Students using Advanced Placement (AP) coursework to fulfill prerequisite coursework must score a 4 or higher.

  No additional substitutions for prerequisite coursework will be accepted, including, but not limited to, credit for experiential learning, courses completed as part of a professional degree and/or the college-level examination program (CLEP) test.

  Advanced Placement
  Students are required to complete all components of the WSU PA Program curriculum. There are no waivers for required program coursework, and we do not accept previous professional-level coursework or experience for advanced placement within the program. 

• Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT)

   

  All applicants are required to take the PA-CAT, a 240-question exam designed to assess academic readiness for the rigors of a Physician Assistant curriculum. It evaluates nine science subject areas and helps applicants showcase their preparedness for PA school. Free PA-CAT study resources are available to support exam preparation.

  There is no minimum score required to be considered for an interview, however, exam performance is an important factor in our holistic admissions review and provides additional insight into an applicant’s academic readiness.

  Students with expired science-based prerequisite coursework (as discussed above under Terms and Conditions) may use the PA-CAT to fulfill these requirements if they previously earned a B- or higher in  expired courses and achieve a composite PA-CAT score in the 2nd decile or higher. 

  To submit scores, select the Weber State University PA Program in your PA-CAT candidate portal. Scores must be reported by the application deadline of August 1. Because scheduling can take several weeks, applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and register early. PA-CAT scores are valid for two years.

  To learn more about the exam, go to the PA-CAT website.

• Clinical Healthcare Experience

  A minimum of 500 hours of paid clinical healthcare experience must be accrued within seven years of the application deadline and recorded as part of the official CASPA application.

  Experiences in hospital medicine and/or those in positions requiring autonomous, high-level medical decision-making are scored highest. Hours obtained observing, shadowing or as part of an educational program will not count toward the 500 hours.

  Healthcare hours and clinical experience are subject to verification, and the program reserves the right to contact supervisors to confirm reported hours.

• Letters of Recommendation

  Applicants must submit at least three (3) letters of recommendation through the CASPA portal as part of their application. These letters should come from professional and reputable sources who can speak to your qualifications, character, and readiness for the rigors of a Physician Assistant program.

Required Technical Standards

To succeed in the WSU Physician Assistant Program and in the practice of medicine, students must be able to perform essential functions required for safe and effective patient care. The following Technical Standards outline the core abilities expected of all students, with or without reasonable accommodations, throughout the program.

• Observation

  PA students must demonstrate the observational abilities necessary to acquire and interpret information in academic and clinical settings. This includes the effective use of visual, auditory, and somatic senses to observe patients, recognize clinical findings, and participate fully in learning activities. Students must be able to obtain and interpret information independently; if direct observation is limited, they must demonstrate alternative methods without relying on another person’s interpretation.

  Students must:

  • Have the ability to use instruments commonly used in the evaluation and diagnosis of disease (e.g., stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, otoscope, etc.).
  • Visualize and accurately distinguish findings on X-rays and other imaging studies and interpret digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena, such as EKGs.
  • Be able to acquire information from electronic media, written documents, films, slides, videos or other media.
  • Observe and differentiate changes in body movement.
  • Observe anatomic structures.
  • Efficiently read written and illustrated materials.
  • Observe and detect signs and symptoms of disease processes and observe subtle changes inherent in illness progression.
  • Possess the necessary visual acumen to perform general and surgical procedures.
• Communication

  PA students must demonstrate effective communication skills necessary to interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams in academic and clinical settings. This includes the ability to communicate clearly, sensitively, and efficiently through verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic means. Proficiency in English is required.

  Students must:

  • Communicate clearly with patients and families to elicit information, including a thorough history from patients, families and other sources.
  • Be proficient in English to prepare a legible patient evaluation and present the evaluation orally in a focused manner to other healthcare professionals.
  • Accurately describe changes in mood, activity and posture.
  • Perceive verbal and nonverbal communications and promptly respond to emotional communications (sadness, worry, anger, agitation, confusion, etc.).
  • Adjust the form and content of communications to the patient's functional level or mental state.
  • Engage in collaborative relationships with patients and families regardless of race, religion, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
  • Record observations and plans legibly, efficiently and accurately.
  • Complete forms as directed in a complete and timely fashion.
  • Prepare and communicate precise but complete summaries of individual encounters.
  • Access and use electronic systems sufficient to review and create documentation in electronic records.
  • Possess sufficient hearing for required diagnostic functions and patient care according to generally accepted community standards.
  • Understand and convey information clearly, unambiguously, and rapidly in emergency situations to ensure the safe and effective care of patients. This includes receiving and understanding input from multiple sources simultaneously or in a rapid-fire sequence.
• Cognitive Function

  PA students must demonstrate the cognitive abilities necessary to acquire, process, and apply complex information in academic and clinical settings. This includes the ability to reason, analyze, synthesize, and make sound diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Students must be able to learn through multiple modalities, maintain attention, and function effectively in dynamic and demanding environments.

  Students must:

  • Have the ability to learn through various modalities (e.g., lectures, small group discussions, individual, etc.).
  • Demonstrate skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Identify significant findings from history, physical exam and laboratory data.
  • Perform a mental status evaluations and perceive subtle cognitive and behavioral findings.
  • Recall and retain large quantities of complex information.
  • Manage several tasks or problems simultaneously.
  • Identify limitations in their own knowledge, skills and abilities, and seek assistance when appropriate.
  • Incorporate new information from peers, teachers and the medical literature in formulating diagnoses and plans.
  • Show good judgment in patient assessment, diagnostic and therapeutic planning.
• Motor Function

  PA students must demonstrate the motor and sensory skills necessary to perform physical examinations, utilize diagnostic equipment, and carry out clinical procedures safely and effectively. They must be able to respond appropriately in emergent situations, adhere to safety standards and universal precautions, and function effectively in physically demanding and fast-paced clinical environments.

  Students must:

  • Perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and other diagnostic maneuvers necessary to inspect and elicit physical signs and recognize normal and abnormal findings.
  • Utilize gross and fine manual palpation, touch, vibratory sensation and temperature sensation in describing and evaluating various body parts.
  • Respond promptly to medical emergencies.
  • Perform basic diagnostic, therapeutic and emergent procedures (e.g., venipuncture, airway management, placement of intravenous catheters, administration of intravenous medicines, maternity care, advanced cardiac life support, suturing and knot tying, pap smear and endocervical culture, arthrocentesis, application of pressure to control bleeding, etc.).
  • Physically endure demanding workloads and function effectively under stress.
• Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Attributes

  PA students must demonstrate professionalism, emotional maturity, and interpersonal skills necessary to function effectively in academic and clinical settings. This includes the ability to relate to patients, staff, and colleagues with honesty, integrity, respect, and nondiscrimination, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Students must be able to function effectively in high-stress and dynamic environments, adapt to change, and engage in self-assessment and growth through feedback.

  Students must:

  • Demonstrate the five components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills.
  • Maintain an appropriate professional demeanor and demonstrate the capacity to be aware of, control and express emotions judiciously and empathetically.
  • Identify personal biases and recognize multiple points of view, integrating them appropriately into clinical decision-making.
  • Communicate with and care for persons whose gender, culture, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs or social beliefs are different from their own in a non-judgmental way.
  • Work collaboratively with classmates to sustain a non-competitive learning atmosphere and with colleagues and patients to develop collaborative professional relationships, including establishing appropriate professional boundaries.
  • Physically endure taxing workloads and high-stress environments.
  • Adapt to changing environments and display flexibility in the face of uncertainties inherent in the training process and the practice of medicine.
  • Give and accept suggestions and criticisms appropriately and without defense, implementing modifications as recommended.

• Accommodations

  Reasonable accommodations are available to assist students with disabilities. In accordance with university policy and applicable federal and Utah law, the WSU PA Program does not discriminate in admissions based on disability and makes good faith efforts to provide reasonable accommodations as needed. Accommodations are considered reasonable if they do not fundamentally alter the program or its assessments, impose an undue burden on the department, or pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, including patients. Students seeking accommodations must contact Weber State University’s Disability Services Center to document the existence of a disability and initiate the request process; disclosure of the specific diagnosis to the program is not required. Maintaining the integrity of the PA curriculum and ensuring patient safety are essential; therefore, all students, with or without accommodations, must meet the same fundamental standards.

  Accommodation Details:

  • Students may establish a disability and request reasonable accommodations at any time before or after matriculation.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to establish accommodations in a timely manner, as the program will not remediate academic deficiencies resulting from disabilities that were not previously documented or approved.
  • Students who decline reasonable accommodations and later experience academic difficulties will be held to the same standards as all other PA students.
  • Students may seek accommodations without fear of judgment or retaliation; all related information will be handled confidentially in accordance with law and university policy.
  • Dissemination of information related to the existence of a disability will be restricted to university administrators with a legitimate need to know. Except as required by law, no mention of the candidate's disability will appear in any university or program correspondence with external agencies unless the candidate specifically requests such disclosure in writing.

   

  In evaluating applicants and preparing students for the MPAS degree, the program maintains the integrity of the curriculum and prioritizes patient safety. While reasonable accommodations may be provided, all students are held to the same fundamental standards.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and university fees are based on the academic cycle and are subject to change. Tuition for the PA program is assessed as a fixed program cost rather than on a per-credit basis. Refund information for tuition and fees can be found on the WSU Bursar website.

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for the six-semester program are:

• In-State and Out-of-State Resident Tuition

  Utah Residents

  • Tuition: $77,640
  • University fees: $2,640
  • Additional program costs (see below): approximately $7400.00
  • Total program costs: $87,680

   

  Non-Utah Residents

  • Tuition: $112,640
  • University fees: $2,640
  • Additional program costs (see below): approximately $7400.00
  • Total program costs: $122,680

• Additional Program Costs

  Application Screening

  Estimated costs for the following items are included to qualify these expenses for financial aid purposes.  

  Books/Resources: $5,000

  • Students must have a laptop computer, internet access and a cell phone. 
  • Laptop and smartphone specifications are updated annually. Please check the program's Technology Requirements Policy (PPT) for specific information.
  • Professional conference fees, travel, lodging, and meals: $500
    • This estimate covers registration fees, transportation, accommodations, and meals associated with attending a professional conference. Actual costs may vary depending on the event's location, mode of travel, length of stay, and type of lodging selected.
  • Eligibility and Compliance Requirements (immunizations, drug screens, background checks, BLS certification, etc.) $1000
  • Parking: $300
  • Diagnostic equipment: $200
    • The program provides diagnostic kits (e.g., Otoscope / Ophthalmoscope) and Butterfly iQ probes for use during the program. Students are responsible for stethoscopes (see Educational Resource List for stethoscope requirements).
  • Scrubs/Lab coats: $400

   

  Students are also responsible for expenses associated with housing/living expenses, transportation, parking, health insurance, and professional expenses related to the National Certifying Examination for Physician Assistants. Costs will vary per student.

  Financial Aid

  Matriculated students may apply for federal financial assistance. Information on aid programs, applications, and scholarships is available through the Weber State University Financial Aid and Scholarships webpage.