Admission Requirements

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant program welcomes your application and questions about the admissions process. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant program is rigorous, and the admissions process is extremely selective.

Deadlines:

• December 15 is the deadline for application to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program.
• Applications are accepted online beginning June 15.

How to Apply:

• Complete the online application for graduate admission to Seton Hall University, selecting "School of Health and Medical Sciences" - "M.S." - "M.S. in Physician Assistant" within the appropriate drop-down menus when prompted.
• • Note: Seton Hall University does not participate in CASPA.
• If you are applying for undergraduate admission to the Dual Degree Program in Biology/Physician Assistant (Accelerated B.S. + Master of Science in Physician Assistant), visit admissions.shu.edu.
• Download and complete the Supplemental Admissions Documents required for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program.

Admission Considerations:

• In choosing candidates for acceptance, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Admissions Committee weighs:
• • Academic Performance
  • Prerequisite Coursework
  • Healthcare Experience
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Test Scores
• International students who have completed a degree outside the United States are required to complete all prerequisite coursework at a regionally or nationally accredited institution in the United States in order to be eligible for admission.
• Note that special admission consideration is given to students enrolled in the dual degree program at Seton Hall University.

Academic Performance:
Application to the program is open to those who:

• Completed a baccalaureate degree* from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States or the determined foreign equivalent.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (based on a 4.00 scale).
• Have a minimum prerequisite courses GPA of 3.2.
• Achieve a minimum of 100 hours of patient care experience (see below for descriptions of acceptable and unacceptable experiences).

*Individuals who have not received a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree may wish to consider applying to the undergraduate-to-graduate dual degree program in Biology and Physician Assistant (B.S. + Master of Science in Physician Assistant). Please consult the Undergraduate Catalogue for more information about this program, which originates in the Department of Biological Sciences. Applicants with a cumulative or prerequisite GPA of less than 3.2 will not be considered for admission.

Prerequisite Coursework:

• Each prerequisite course must be completed at a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning in the US with a letter grade of “C” or higher.
• Online courses from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning in the US are acceptable.
• Prerequisite courses must have been completed no later than 10 years prior to matriculation into the program.
• Advanced Placement (AP) credit, Pass/ Fail courses, and international baccalaureate credits do NOT fulfill the prerequisite course requirements.
• Students with incomplete prerequisites- may apply, but they must state how they will satisfy the prerequisites by June 1st prior to the start of the program. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of enrollment in any outstanding prerequisite courses. Please click here for a full list of the prerequisite coursework.

Healthcare Experience
A minimum of 100 hours of healthcare experience is required. Healthcare experience hours must be completed for an application to be considered complete. A variety of healthcare experiences are considered toward the minimum requirement. The healthcare experience can be a paid or volunteer experience. Priority consideration is given to experiences where the applicant has assumed direct patient care responsibility. View the Healthcare Experience Verification Form »

Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation from sources able to attest to the applicant's academic ability and character. It is recommended that letters be obtained from course instructors and clinical supervisors. One letter of reference from a healthcare professional is preferred. Letters from family members and acquaintances are not acceptable.

Test Scores
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants and must be taken within the past five years. While the program does not use a strict cutoff score, most competitive applicants will have scores at or above the 50th percentile in each test area. The GRE is not waived for any candidate.

Non-native English speakers who have not completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the United States, must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken within the past two years, documenting a paper-based score of 550 or above, a computer-based score of 213 or above, or an internet-based score of 79 or above. All international transcripts must be evaluated by a member agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Additional Information Regarding Admissions and Acceptance

Interviews
Applicants being considered for admission may be invited to campus for an interview. Meeting the minimum standards for admission does not guarantee that an applicant will be invited for an interview. The interview is used to assess an applicant's knowledge of the physician assistant profession, his or her motivation for becoming a physician assistant and his or her communication and interpersonal skills.

Advanced Standing and Transfer Students
Regardless of previous educational or work experience, all students are required to complete the entire Master of Science in Physician Assistant curriculum. No advanced placement, transfer credit or credit for experiential learning will be granted.

Employment During the Academic Year
Training to become a physician assistant demands a full-time commitment. Due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum, it is recommended that students not engage in outside employment. If a student chooses to work during the academic year, the work schedule must not interfere with class performance or clinical rotation schedules.

Standards of Essential Functions of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program

All students must read, sign, understand and meet the Standards of Essential Functions of the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program. Candidates will have the option to electronically sign the Essential Functions on the application. Submitting a physical copy is not necessary.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Admissions Questions:
Patrick McDermott
Assistant Dean of Graduate Enrollment and Student Affairs
School of Health and Medical Sciences
shms@shu.edu
(973) 275-2062

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage »

Qualified students are admitted without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, natural origin, sexual orientation, ancestry or gender.