Keiser University’s highly competitive on ground only Master of Science in Physician Assistant program matriculates every January. The program is full-time and accepts 40 students per admission cycle. Applicants for admission to the PA program must come from healthcare backgrounds and successfully meet the following requirements:
Failure to provide all required documentation within 30 days of matriculation will lead to the student’s removal from class. The student will not be allowed to return until all outstanding documentation is received by the program.
Degree
Baccalaureate degrees must be completed at a regionally accredited college/university. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a NACES recognized agency. While it may be best that an applicant’s degree be health or science specific, a degree in any discipline is acceptable. Admission is based on undergraduate coursework only.
GPAs
GPA calculations are based on undergraduate coursework only and are calculated as follows:
Standardized Test(s)
Our GRE score requirement includes an applicant’s combined verbal and quantitative sections. The analytical section is highly recommended, but is not a part of our GRE score requirement. An applicant’s GRE must have been taken within five years of the application year. We will only consider scores from one attempt and we do not combine scoring sections from different attempts. Our CASPA GRE Code is 0284. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT®) will not be accepted.
If an applicant is not fluent in English, the applicant must present a TOEFL® score of 500 or higher on a paper-based examination, a score of 173 on a computer-based examination, an internet-based score (iBT) of 61 or an IELTS™ score of 6.0 or higher. Applicants who are exempt from submitting a test of English proficiency are those from Canada (excluding Quebec), Bermuda, the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Applicants who have previously attended a high school, college or university in the United States for more than two years and have earned a C or better in English courses may be exempt from an English proficiency exam. All applicants must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
In addition, we highly recommend that all applicants take the Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT). This is a specialized test designed to measure applicant knowledge in key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school. For more specific details on the PA-CAT; including the exam blueprint, sample questions, application fees, along with how and where applicants can register to take the PA-CAT, visit the website at https://www.pa-cat.com.
Shadowing
Shadowing hours with a practicing PA must have been completed within two years of the application year. Shadowing additional healthcare providers such as an MD, OD, NP, etc. are highly recommended, but not required and will not be accepted in lieu of PA shadowing.
Healthcare Experience (HCE)
HCE can include direct patient care experience and in-direct health related experience although direct patient care experience is preferred.
Some examples of direct patient care experience include: Emergency Medical Technicians, Dental Hygienists or Assistants, Surgical Technicians, Radiological Technicians, Phlebotomists, Athletic Trainers, Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, Medical Assistants, Certified Physical Therapists or Assistants and Certified Occupational Therapists or Assistants.
Some examples of in-direct health related experience include: Scribe, Pharmaceutical Representative, Research Technician, Volunteer, Missionary.
Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
We require three LOR:
It is in an applicant’s best interest to seek recommendations from individuals who are well acquainted with them academically, professionally and/or personally. LOR from a relative is only acceptable if the person is a practicing healthcare provider.
Prerequisites
All coursework must be assigned a letter grade of C (2.0) or better. Coursework from another PA program, any graduate level coursework, Pass/Satisfactory grades, certificates of completion and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits will not be accepted. We will accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework. However, high school transcripts must be submitted as a part of the applicant’s CASPA application (see Program Materials section) for grade verification. Course acceptance is not based on test scores. Applicants with quarter units should pay special attention to our credit requirements. Credit conversions MUST meet our requirements.
Click here to review our Credit Conversion Chart.
Applicants may not have more than two pending or in progress prerequisites at the time of application submission. Natural science lectures that are separate from labs will be counted separately (example: MCB2000C (one course – combined lecture and lab; hence the “C”) vs MCB3020 and MCB3020L (two courses – separate lecture and lab). All other required prerequisite coursework MUST be completed with reported grade(s) prior to application submission. Applicants submitting a CASPA application with greater than two pending or in progress prerequisites overall will not be considered.
All coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college/university. Foreign coursework must be evaluated by a NACES recognized agency. Due to the rapid evolution in basic sciences, natural science prerequisite coursework must have been completed within 10 years of the application year. Natural science labs must be completed on ground only. All natural science coursework must be human-based only. Mammalian, Animal or “Comparative” coursework will not be accepted. A complete sequence of A and P I with lab and A and P II with lab will be accepted to meet Anatomy and Physiology (with labs) requirements. General (Inorganic) Chemistry (with labs) must be a complete sequence as well. Behavioral science must be Psychology based. Sociology and Anthropology may not substitute as behavioral science and will only be accepted as social science.
Not sure if your course(s) meet our prerequisite requirements? We have provided a list of courses offered by Keiser University that meet our program’s prerequisite requirements. Please review our list of KU courses here. You may have taken course(s) that are the same or similar based on the course description(s).
Still not sure? In order to properly evaluate any course(s) in question, please email PAProgram@keiseruniversity.edu. Your email’s subject line must read ‘Prerequisite Course Evaluation’ and must include the following information below in a legible format:
List each separately:
Your name
Short narrative (explain why you want the course evaluated and what prerequisite requirement you want the course associated with)
College/university name
College/university location (city and state)
Accreditation type (regional or national)
Course title
Course code
Number of credits
Credit type (semester hours or quarter units)
Delivery format (on campus or online)
Course description
No links, attachments or syllabi. Please allow up to two business days for a response.
DISCLAIMER: Requirements are subject to change. Therefore, prerequisite course evaluations DO NOT guarantee an applicant has met our requirements nor does meeting the minimum requirements guarantee an interview.
Background Checks
Criminal background checks will be conducted before, during and after matriculation. The university reserves the right to deny an application. Additionally, should the student become involved in criminal activity after program acceptance, in which the initial criminal background clearance status becomes compromised, the student will be withdrawn from the program. The program and the university will not modify the curriculum for students who have an unsatisfactory criminal background status.
Health Insurance
All students must carry active personal health insurance coverage for the entirety of the program. Compliance is monitored through Sentry MD. Keiser University DOES NOT provide personal health insurance to enrolled students, but we do provide information to search for health insurance options independently. Please click https://www.insuranceforstudents.com.
We utilize a rolling admission process which means that completed files are reviewed, interviews are scheduled, and applicants are accepted on a continuous basis. A completed file includes all admission document requirements. It is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure that this process is complete. An applicant’s completed file will receive only one full review. It is very likely that all available seats may be filled prior to our program deadline. Therefore, it is always best to apply as early as possible. Program interviews are by invitation only and applicants should keep in mind that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview.
Students are selected by the PA Program Interview Committee based upon a combination of:
Keiser University reserves the right to accept up to 5% of applicants to a graduate program who do not meet appropriate entrance test scores and/or GPA but who request admission based on other criteria. An appeal letter and accompanying documentation should be addressed to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education; such requests will be reviewed by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education, program leadership, and others as appropriate. If the appeal is approved, a waiver letter is placed in the applicant’s academic file by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education or the appropriate designee.
The Physician Assistant program does not grant advance placement. Each class will be an integral part of the academic experience and is necessary for success in this program. All students must successfully complete all courses required in our program.
Due to variations in PA program curriculum throughout the country, students from other PA programs will not be accepted for transfer. In addition, transfer of credits from other PA programs will not be granted.
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
Going to Keiser University was one of the greatest experiences in my life. All of my deans, professors, and staff made me feel that I was a part of something very special, and I am. I would recommend for anyone to get their education at Keiser University.
The instructors at Keiser University impacted my life. They believed in my ability to become a great graphic designer, regardless of how I felt about my skills. KU helped to prepare me for the real world and got me to where I am today.
Beyond the curriculum of the courses, the lessons the instructors have taught me have paid dividends in my real work experiences. How to respond to criticisms, project and time management, interview skills, the list goes on and on. At the end of the day, they not only showed me how to design, but they taught me how to be a professional.
If not for my education at Keiser I probably would not be where I am today, in both life and career. It is because of going to Keiser and the instructors I had that I joined a club started by Mr. Williams, The Lakeland Shooters Photography Group, which allowed me to venture into an amazing and very creative field that I use to enhance all aspects of my life.
The Design program at Keiser University was filled with real world learning and hands on instruction… Based on the portfolio I created while a student at Keiser University, I landed a job in Graphic Design for a major online retailer immediately after graduation.
The year and a half I spent in the program better prepared me for attaining a job in the field…As a hands-on learner, the project-centered teaching was perfect for me.
Keiser University has given me the opportunity to embrace a career change… It has opened the door for a timely graduation and quick return to the work force…
Without the education I received at Keiser University, I would not be where I am today!
I not only received an excellent education but also encouragement and training that built my self-confidence every day.
I realize the amount of knowledge I gained and feel that the educational experiences have developed me in to a person who can move higher up the career ladder.
Keiser University’s MBA program has renewed my mind, changed the way I think, and given me a new sense of purpose. The professors transformed my attitude and behavior, gave me the self-confidence I was lacking, and restored my energy.
It has been great attending and graduating from Keiser University. Because of the small class sizes, I was able to build good relationships with classmates and professors. The PA professors care very much about the progress and success of the students and have been great advisors every step of the way through the program.
Attending Keiser University and getting my degree was the best decision I have ever made. The small class sizes and personalized attention helped me get my degree quickly. The hands-on experience and the education landed me a job at a neighboring law firm.
I chose Keiser because it had everything—small classes, caring professors, hands-on learning, and counselors that are really there for you. I feel like I’m part of a family here, not just a number.
After being denied for several promotions at my current employer, I decided that I needed to further my education. Since graduating from Keiser with my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, I have been promoted and I am able to obtain positions that weren’t available to me before.
Keiser helped change my life by getting my education at the right school! I had been going to another school before, I dropped out because I felt that I was not getting enough information. When I found out about Keiser, I was pleased because the instructors were great.
My decision to attend Keiser University has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I chose to enroll in the Information Technology program… The one-class-a-month pace helped incredibly with my self-discipline.
The BA for Business Administration at Keiser has to be one of the best in the nation. Keiser takes the basics that are taught at the Associates level and uses them to strengthen your skills and knowledge.
I found that Keiser University’s Nuclear Medicine program of advanced studies and small class size was a perfect fit. I never came across a faculty member who wasn’t truly interested.
