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Admissions Procedures

Application Procedure

The program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for the receipt and processing of all applications. However, CASPA takes no part in the selection of our students. Complete your CASPA application prior to the January 15 application deadline for the class matriculating in May.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from the Registrar of all institutions where course work was completed OR attempted must be mailed directly to CASPA by the institutions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that arrangements are made for these transcripts to be sent.

Foreign Transcripts

Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) organization, such as one of the services listed below.

An official course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service to CASPA.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation must be submitted directly to CASPA. One letter must be from a physician assistant, and the second from another healthcare professional, e.g. physician assistant, physician, nurse, physical or occupational therapist.  Letters will not be accepted from a relative, friend or personal care provider. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that arrangements are made for these letters to be sent.

Interview

A personal interview is an integral part of the admissions process; however, being granted an interview is not a guarantee of admission. It also should be clearly understood that not all applicants will be granted an interview by the Office of Admissions. The Office of Admissions processes applications on a "rolling" or periodic basis. It is in the best interest of prospective students to complete their applications early because of the limited number of positions in the class.

Upon Admission

Computer Requirements

Upon admission, all students are required to have a laptop computer and printer. The computer must have the following minimum specifications:

• Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
• 4GB RAM (upgradeable to 6GB or more)
• 250 GB hard disk or larger (7200 RPM)
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• sound capability and speakers
• Webcam (internal or attached)
• Internet connection with private Internet service provider (ISP) for universal access to the Internet
• Windows 7, SPI or higher OR Mac OS X 10.6 or Mac OS X 10.7
• Microsoft Office 2007 or newer with PowerPoint, Word, Excel minimum
• Surge suppressor / electrical outlet
• DVD/RW
• wireless capability
• flash drive

Background Checks

Students are required to authorize the NSU Health Professions Division to obtain background check(s), as per the adopted policy of April 22, 2005. Students may also be required by the Health Professions Division to obtain a background check - or authorize clinical training facilities, where appropriate, to conduct the check - and to permit the results of the consumer reporting agency to be provided to the NSU Health Professions Division and/or the clinical training facilities. If the background check(s) reveal information of concern that the NSU Health Professions Division may deem unfavorable, the NSU Health Professions Division will provide the accepted applicant or enrolled student with the Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and a copy of the report and request that the student provide a detailed written explanation of the information contained in the report, along with appropriate documentation (e.g., police reports). This information must be returned to the NSU Health Professions Division within 10 business days of the date the communication is sent unless another date is specified by the NSU Health Professions Division in its communication with the student. Offers of admission will not be considered final until the completion of the background check(s) by the NSU Health Professions Division, and where appropriate, by the clinical training facilities, with results deemed favorable. If information received indicates that the student has provided false or misleading statements, has omitted required information, or in any way is unable to meet the requirements for completion of the program, and then the admission may be denied or rescinded, the student may be disciplined or dismissed, or the student's enrollment may be terminated. Following the initial background check(s), students will be asked annually to provide certification relating to any convictions, guilty pleas, or no contest pleas to any criminal offense, other than traffic violations.

For further information, contact Kandee Griffith, Admissions Counselor at the Physician Assistant program in Jacksonville, (904) 245-8913 or email your questions to kandee.griffith@nova.edu.