Prospective students are selected by the Committee on Admissions (COA), which considers the overall qualities of the applicant. Areas of consideration include:
Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified applicants to assess interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, altruistic attitude, and commitment to a PA career.
The most current information pamphlet, university catalog and application information should be consulted for the most up-to-date information.
Required Courses: The College requires applicants to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in each of the following required courses (science prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to matriculation. There is no expiration date for prerequisite courses. However, applicants are still responsible for retaining the knowledge gained from prerequisite coursework. Therefore, applicants with science prerequisites over 10 years may be considered less competitive.
*If you take the combination class of Human Anatomy & Physiology I (A&P I), then must complete the sequence by taking Human Anatomy & Physiology II (A&P II).
NOTE: Graduates of foreign institutions where English is not the primary language of instruction must present transcripts showing at least 18 semester hours of study from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Of these 18 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours; 3 semester hours must be in English Composition, 3 semester hours must be in English Literature, and 3 semester hours must be in Public Speaking (courses do not include ESOL). The remaining nine semester hours can be any course of the applicant's choosing excluding physical education.
Applicants are encouraged to complete their elective course work in the areas of behavioral, physical and social sciences, or humanities. Upon review of a student's record, the Committee on Admissions may require additional course work and testing as a condition of acceptance. In addition, previous clinical experience is highly recommended.
All applicants are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test through the CASPA admissions portal. The CASPA GRE number for the Jacksonville program is 0952. The exam must have been taken within the last five years, and early enough for official scores to be received in the admissions office by January 15th. Applications will not be considered complete without GRE scores.
For further information contact:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
http://www.gre.org
1-609-921-9000
Two letters of recommendation are required:
* One letter from a physician assistant
* One letter from a healthcare professional (e.g. physician assistant, physician, dentist, pharmacist, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physical or occupational therapist)
Recommendations submitted by relatives, friends, personal healthcare providers, or personal friends of the family are not acceptable.
Computer Skills: All applicants must show evidence of computer skills through course work or self study prior to the end of the first term. Students may obtain instruction through the NSU Microcomputer Laboratory or other training facilities.
While there is no minimum requirement, prior healthcare experience is highly recommended. Higher consideration may be given to applicants with prior direct patient contact..
The Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Program-Jacksonville DOES NOT grant advanced standing to any matriculant.