Admissions
The Weber State University (WSU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program application process is through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) system. The yearly CASPA application cycle opens at the end of April. Once CASPA verifies applications, they will qualify for screening and review by the WSU admissions committee. We strongly encourage candidates to apply early.
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.
The WSU PA Program application cycle closes August 1 at 11:59 P.M. MST.
Prerequisites
- Degree Requirement: Applicants must be awarded a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited US institution of higher education before enrollment.
- GPA Requirement: 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.
Coursework
Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT)
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The PA-CAT is a 240-question exam designed to assess academic readiness for the rigors of a Physician Assistant curriculum. It covers nine science subject areas and helps applicants showcase their preparedness for PA school. Free PA-CAT study resources are available to support exam preparation.
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All applicants are required to take the PA-CAT. There is no minimum score for most applicants, however, those using the PA-CAT to replace expired science-based prerequisite coursework, must score within the 2nd decile to demonstrate academic readiness.
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.
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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.
Competitive Candidate Criteria
The program aims to select candidates whose backgrounds and interests align with our mission, goals, and values. Competitive candidates will have a science GPA of 3.5 or higher (as calculated by CASPA) and two or more of the following:
- Being alumni, faculty, and/or staff from a Utah college and/or university
- Three or more of the recommended courses
- PA-CAT composite scores in the first decile
- Service in a clinical or university leadership role for more than 40 weeks
- More than 4,000 hours of clinical healthcare experience in an in-patient medicine setting
- More than 2,000 hours of clinical healthcare experience in positions requiring autonomous, high-level medical decision-making
Competitive applicants may receive additional points during the application screening process, increasing their likelihood of advancing to the faculty review stage, during which faculty members carefully evaluate and assign weight to each listed admissions criterion. Particular emphasis is placed on academic performance, the quality and quantity of healthcare experience, and demonstrated leadership. These factors are scored on an ascending scale, meaning stronger qualifications result in higher scores.
Applicants with the highest overall scores are more likely to be invited for an interview.
International Applicants
International applicants can apply to the Weber State University (WSU) PA Program if they meet our admissions requirements.
Applicants with international medical degrees are ineligible to apply unless they also hold a qualifying degree (bachelor’s or higher) from a regionally accredited US institution of higher education prior to matriculation. We do not provide waivers or exceptions for applicants without a qualifying degree.
International applicants are responsible for maintaining their F-1 student status while in the United States. For more information, please refer to the current section of the WSU International Student and Scholar Center (ISSC).
For purposes of admissions and financial aid, US permanent residents are considered equivalent to US citizens.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are based on the academic cycle and are subject to change. 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:
Additional Program Costs
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: $500.00
- 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.) $600
- 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.
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