Physician Assistant (PA) Program Direct Acceptance

Admission Requirements

The Direct Acceptance Program provides current Marist students a direct acceptance pathway into the PA program for select highly qualified Marist undergraduates. Six (6) students per academic year will be considered through this pathway, bypassing the traditional interview process. Applicants will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

To qualify, applicants must:

1. Be a current third or fourth year Marist undergraduate student.
2. Apply internally to the program with coursework in progress, meeting the following benchmarks:
   • Earn grade-point averages of 3.6 overall, 3.5 in science, and a 3.5 in biology, chemistry, and physics (BCP).
   • Earn grades of “B” of better in all pre-requisite courses^
3. Meet with an assigned PA Program faculty mentor and the program director at least twice during their undergraduate experience.
4. Earn a letter of support from the faculty mentor and program director.
5. Complete all pre-requisite coursework prior to undergraduate graduation.
6. Submit three (3) letters of reference. One must be from a Marist faculty member, one from a physician or PA, and the last from a supervisor.
7. Complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours of direct, hands-on patient care as approved by a PA faculty before matriculation into the PA program^.
8. Submit an application through Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) before July 1
9. Earn a baccalaureate degree by the time the PA program commences.
10. Submit a $1,500 nonrefundable deposit once all criteria are met.
11. Complete all post-acceptance PA program requirements, consistent with other PA students.

^ Clinical hours and required coursework can be in-progress at the time of application but must be completed by January 15th of the year of entry into the program. 

Note that if all six (6) slots are filled or students do not meet the requirements above, they are encouraged to apply to the PA program using the traditional application process through CASPA.

Physician Assistant (PA) Program Guaranteed Interview

The School of Science also offers the Guaranteed Interview Program which can accelerate the application process for all qualified current Marist students and alumni for applicants who meet the program’s minimum standards. 

To qualify, applicants must: 

• Complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours^ of direct, hands-on patient care, 
• Earn a 3.0 Overall GPA, 3.0 Science GPA, and 3.0 BCP GPA as calculated in CASPA, 
• Earn a minimum grade of “C” or better in all the required pre-requisite courses^, 
• Submit 3 letters of reference. One must be from a Marist faculty member, one from a physician or PA, and the last from a supervisor, and 
• Complete all the requirements within the CASPA application

^ Clinical hours and required coursework can be in-progress at the time of application but must be completed by January 15th of the year of entry into the program.