Admission Requirements
The Florida State University PA Pipeline program participates in the CASPA
(Centralized Application System for Physician Assistants). To apply, all applicants must
submit a completed CASPA application in addition to completing the FSU supplemental
application. The CASPA application will be available May 1, 2021. The deadline for
completed and verified CASPA applications, including supplemental application
questions, and payment of supplemental application fee is October 1, 2021.
Applications received after the deadline date will not be accepted. Rolling selection
from the verified applications will begin October 1, 2021. Pipeline candidates are
encouraged to apply early as the seats are filled early in application process.
Prerequisite meeting with Ms Thompson is required by Sept 1, 2021 to apply for
Pipeline.
**Please allow 2-3 weeks for CASPA to verify completed applications.**
All applicants to the Florida State University School of Physician Assistant Practice are
now required to complete an online assessment of non-academic traits (CASPer), to
assist with our selection process. Applicants will go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign
up for the American Professional Health Sciences test (CSP10101). Successful
completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. For more
information on CASPer, please visit www.takeCASPer.com/FAQ .
**Note, there are only a select number of CASPer testing dates available each year so it
is encouraged you complete this early. Your application will not be consider for
interviews until this is complete.**
Applications will not be considered without the following:
- Verified CASPA application with supplemental questions
- Official GRE scores
- Payment of supplemental application fee
- All required prerequisite coursework completed
- Completed minimum of 500 direct patient care hours
- Completed CASPer test
- Completion of pipeline interview with Ms. Thompson and pipeline application
(provided at interview)
COVID19 PREREQUISITE AND DIRECT PATIENT CARE HOURS STATEMENT:
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the FSU SPAP will permit applicants to have up to
2 (two) prerequisite courses outstanding at the time of application for the 2021
cycle which begins May 1, 2021. We are aware of several instances where
courses have been cancelled or modified during either the current or summer
semester, and we recognize that this may leave some applicants with outstanding
coursework. If accepted, outstanding prerequisites must be completed by the
end of the Spring 2022 semester in order to matriculate.
We have also extended the deadline for Direct Patient Care Hours. Applicants
may apply to the FSU PA Program with outstanding Direct Patient Care Hours
with the expectation that the hours will be completed by the end of the Spring
2022 semester.
Bachelor's Degree: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
accredited college or university.
GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA 3.5 and a minimum prerequisite math and science
GPA of 3.5.
A candidate that has a completed graduate degree with at least 30 credit hours may
submit a written request to the PA admissions coordinator to replace the undergraduate
cumulative GPA with the higher graduate GPA if the cumulative graduate GPA is
higher.
GRE: Applicants must submit GRE scores taken within 3 years of the date of
matriculation. We do not accept the MCAT or other substitutes. There is no minimum
score and students will be evaluated on a competitive basis. CASPA's Code is 2122.
*As of April 2, 2020 the GRE General Test is now available at home.*
Applicants can go to https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/ for more information.
Transcripts: Transcripts are not required until an official offer of admission has been
made. At that time applicants must submit an OFFICIAL copy of all transcripts from
each University/College attended directly to the FSU College of Medicine Admissions
Office.
Florida State University College of Medicine
Enrollment Coordinator - Attn: PA Program
1115 West Call Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4300
International Transfer Credit: International transfer credit is awarded for coursework
completed at an accredited (recognized) institution of higher learning. No credit is
awarded for technical, vocational, or below-college-level coursework, or courses
completed with grades below "C." “C-“ will not be accepted. An official course-by-course evaluation is required for all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of
Credential Evaluation Services or the International Education Credential Services
provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers.
English Language Proficiency: Official English Language Proficiency results are
required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The
following are the minimum scores required for admission to the Physician Assistant
Program.
- Internet based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 88
- Paper based TOEFL (TOEFL): 570
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 7.0
* These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of
Admissions from the testing agency, and are not valid after two years.
Previous Healthcare Experience: A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care
experience is required with additional experience recommended. Direct care is defined
as “hands on” patient contact that involves interaction with patients.
Examples of experience that qualify: nursing assistant, EMT, paramedic, nurse (LPN,
RN, BSN, NP, CRNA), patient care attendant, athletic trainer, physical therapist,
respiratory therapist, x-ray technician, medical assistant, military medical
technician/corpsman, international medical graduates, chiropractor, licensed massage
therapist, optometrist and pharmacist. Additional examples can be found in the FAQ
section of the PA program website.
Examples of experiences that do not qualify for the purposes of admission to the
FSU PA Program are: hours obtained by shadowing, experience obtained as student in
a healthcare profession, pharmaceutical representative, lifeguard, police officer,
firefighter, medical scribe, unit clerk or medical secretary.
Applicants must document experiences on the Direct Patient Care Experience Form. All
hours must be completed at the time of application. Experiences can be full-time, part-
time or volunteer.
Applicants who do not believe they can achieve the minimum 500 hours prior to the time
of application can take the “Introduction to the PA Profession” at the FSU or UWF
campus. This course is an exploration of the PA profession. It satisfies the 500-hour
requirement, but does not eliminate the need for some patient care experience. For
more information, please see the FAQ section of the PA program website.
Professional Recommendations: Applicants must submit at least 3 (three) letters of
recommendation and no more than 5 (five). It is suggested that at least one reference
should be from a healthcare provider and one should be from a science faculty member
who taught the applicant. These letters should be from people who have worked with
and know the applicant. References from family members or friends will not be
accepted.
Citizenship: All applicants must be US citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens in
possession of a “green card.” Those applying as Permanent Resident must submit
appropriate documentation to:
Florida State University College of Medicine
ATTN: PA Admissions
1115 W. Call St.
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4300
Competitive Candidate / Admissions Preference:
The Florida State University is an equal opportunity employer and education provider
committed to a policy of non-discrimination for any member of the University's
community on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, relation, national origin, age,
disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identify, gender expression or any
other protected group status. This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, visitors, applicants, contractors and any others who are affiliated with the University in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules and University's policies and procedures.
The competitive applicant will have:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university,
- Greater than a 3.500 cumulative and Math/Science GPA,
- A competitive GRE score,
- Demonstration of excellent critical thinking and interpersonal skills,
- Ability for self-guided learning,
- Prior healthcare experience involving direct patient contact,
- A demonstrated commitment to service.
In addition to the above considerations for admissions and in keeping with the mission
of the FSU College of Medicine and the FSU PA Program, the program gives
preference to applicants who meet the following criteria.
US Military Veterans: US Military Veterans must be a current honorably
discharged, or be an Active Duty, National Guard or Reserve member. Proof of
service includes a notarized copy of the DD-Form 214, retirement orders or
current retiree ID card. Candidates in current active military status must provide a
letter from their commander or supervisor attesting for the current active status of
the military member and an active ID card.