Admission Requirements

M.S. in Physician Assistant

Contact Information

Physician Assistant Program

 

Lynn Eckrote, EdD, MSPAS, PA-C
Director, MS PA Program

Phone: (973) 290-4157
leckrote@steu.edu

 

Physician Assistant Students Practicing in the Simulation Center at SEU

Applicants must have:

Earned a Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent. Applicants whose baccalaureate degree will be conferred by the Spring semester prior to matriculation are eligible to apply.

Achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 or better (as calculated by CASPA)

Achieved a prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or better (as calculated by CASPA). The most recent grade will be used in the calculation for any repeated coursework. All prerequisites are expected to be completed by the Spring semester prior to matriculation.

Satisfactorily completed each of the following prerequisites with a "B- (2.7)" or better:

  • English Composition (3 credits)
    Must be taken at a U.S. institution
  • General Psychology (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Medical Terminology (1 credit)
    Must be taken at a U.S. institution
  • General Biology 1 with Lab (4 credits)
  • Genetics (3 credits)
  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 with Lab (4 credits)*
  • Anatomy and Physiology 2 with Lab (4 credits)*
  • Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)*
  • General Chemistry 1 with Lab (4 credits)
  • General Chemistry 2 with Lab (4 credits)
  • Biochemistry (3 credits)
 

*Must be completed within 10 years of matriculation.

Completed a minimum of 300 hours of direct patient care experience, 16 hours of PA shadowing experience and 50 hours of community service.

Submit three letters of recommendation; one letter must be from a professor attesting to academic capability and at least one must be from a physician or PA attesting to professional capacity.

Submit two personal statements detailing:

  • The applicant's fit with the Mission, Vision and Goals of the MS PA Program and Saint Elizabeth University
  • A social justice issue they are passionate about and believe they can address as a PA

Applicants with outstanding admissions requirements are eligible to apply but must include a plan for completion of the requirements prior to the deadline date. Applicants may petition the admissions committee for consideration of extending the completion time for a requirement into the summer prior to matriculation. Each application is considered from a holistic perspective and reviewed by the faculty.

Additional Requirements

TOEFL

International students with non-US or Canadian post-secondary credentials must submit recent scores on the Test of English and Foreign Language, also known as TOEFL.

International students with non-US or Canadian post-secondary credentials must submit recent scores on the Test of English and Foreign Language, also known as TOEFL. Besides TOEFL scores, students are required to take English Composition at a US institution. English Composition with a grade of B- or better will be accepted. TOEFL scores must be submitted with CASPA application.

Saint Elizabeth University requires the following TOEFL scores or their equivalent (e.g. IELTS):

What level of English proficiency is required?

  • TOEFL IBT: Undergraduate: 61 or higher; Graduate: 79 or higher
  • IELTS: Undergraduate: 4.5 or higher; Graduate: 6 or higher

How can I receive more information about required entrance exams?

The Saint Elizabeth University PA Program is requiring their applicants to take the PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admission Test). The PA-CAT is a specialized test designed to measure applicant knowledge in key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school. For information about the PA-CAT and to schedule your exam, visit their website at www.pa-cat.com.

PA-CAT scores are being used as part of a holistic application process. PA-CAT scores do not determine interview selection and are not viewed by the program until the interview step is completed. The scores are being used to identify resources candidates may need to ensure program readiness and success.

The PA-CAT must be taken and the results available by the April 1 deadline.  

The Saint Elizabeth University PA Program is requiring their applicants to take the PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admission Test).

The PA-CAT is a specialized test designed to measure applicant knowledge in key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school.

For information about the PA-CAT and to schedule your exam, visit their website at www.pa-cat.com.

PA-CAT scores are being used as part of a holistic application process. PA-CAT scores do not determine interview selection and are not viewed by the program until the interview step is completed. The scores are being used to identify resources candidates may need to ensure program readiness and success.

Step 1:

  • Go to www.pa-cat.com to register, pay and schedule your exam date for the PA-CAT.
  • Ensure Saint Elizabeth University PA Program is selected as the institution to receive your score report in your PA-CAT Score Portal. You can access your PA-CAT Score Portal at www.pa-cat.com.
  • It is recommended that you take the PA-CAT exam early in the application cycle.

Step 2:

Study for the PA-CAT with resources provided by Exam Master. Access instructions are included in your registration confirmation.

PA-CAT study materials provided by Exam Master include:

  • Two 120 Question PA-CAT Practice Exams
  • Eight 50-Question Subject Exams
  • Pre-Matriculation Success Course

PA-CAT Covered Subjects:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • General Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • General and Organic Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Genetics
  • Statistics

You may wish to look for additional resources that will help you learn about the topics covered on the PA-CAT.

In-Person Interview

Interviews will take place beginning in late fall and will continue through the following spring.

  • Highly qualified applicants will be invited for an *in-person interview.
  • An *in-person interview does not guarantee acceptance.
  • Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis once interviews begin.

*Virtual interviews may be scheduled at the discretion of the PA Program.

Special Considerations for Students in Articulated Programs and SEU Students and Alumni

Saint Elizabeth University and the SEU PA Program have collaborated with several institutions to provide pathways for student enrollment that includes early acceptance decisions (in the student’s junior year) to fill guaranteed seats. These institutions include:

  • Saint Elizabeth University Undergraduate programs (4 seats)
  • Alabama State University (3 seats)
  • Dominican University (3 seats)
  • Manhattan College (3 seats)

SEU students and alumni who are not accepted through the articulated agreement process and who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed an interview.

Unfilled seats reserved for articulated programs will be filled by applicants who apply through the SEU PA Program’s standard admission process.

Advanced Standing and Transfers

The M.S. in Physician Assistant degree program does not accept transfer students nor will advanced standing be granted.