PA Program Admission

Update May 2023: The PA Program at Christian Brothers University will not be taking applications for the admission cycle for the class of 2026.

Admissions

The program will accept applications from May 1 to October 1 through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Visit the CASPA website for additional details. The program seats one cohort per year, with a semester start.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited American college or university or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution that has been evaluated through the World Education Services (WES).
   You may apply to the program prior to earning a baccalaureate degree. If conditionally accepted, you must earn a baccalaureate degree prior to the start of the program or your seat will be automatically forfeited.
2. GPA requirements
   A CASPA-calculated cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application; a program-calculated prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to the start of the program.
3. Course prerequisites
   A grade of “C” or better is needed for all prerequisite courses; if a course is repeated, the repeat grade will solely be used to calculate the prerequisite GPA. You may apply to the program prior to completion of all prerequisite courses, but all required prerequisites must be completed by the December preceding the cohort start date.
   • Two semesters of Biological Science courses with labs – General Biology I, General Biology II, Botany, Ecology, Zoology, etc. (Introductory, non-science major courses DO NOT satisfy this requirement).
   • Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (will accept 1 semester of anatomy/one semester of physiology with labs in lieu of anatomy and physiology I & II with labs but no mixing of these courses) (Introductory courses not accepted as substitutes)
   • Microbiology with lab (Introductory, non-science major courses DO NOT satisfy this requirement).
   • 12 credit hours of General/Principles of Chemistry with lab and Organic Chemistry with lab (Introductory, non-science major courses DO NOT satisfy this requirement).
   • Biochemistry
   • A Statistics course
   • A Psychology course
   • A medical terminology course (College credit required)
   • AP & CLEP credits are accepted if credited toward an undergraduate degree
4. Official transcripts
   Submit official transcripts through CASPA. Do not send transcripts directly to the program or to the university unless directed to do so.
5. References
   Two (2) references through CASPA. References will only be accepted through CASPA.
6. Interview
   An interview is required for consideration of admission into the program. Competitive applicants will be offered an interview. If offered an interview, you will be notified in writing what interview days are available. Interviewed applicants will be notified in writing of the Admissions Committee decision shortly after the interview. Interviewed applicants will be accepted, conditionally accepted, waitlisted, or denied. Applicants on the waitlist will be reconsidered after each interview day. Offers will be extended on a rolling admissions basis.

International Applicant Admission Requirements

1. Transcript interpretation by WES
   International transcripts must be evaluated through WES (University requirement), with results sent to CASPA when you are completing the CASPA application. Do not send the results directly to the PA program, unless directed to do so.
2. Minimum TOEFL score
   See policy for graduate admissions in the academic catalog.

Tuition and Fees

All tuition and fees must be paid in accordance with university policy (Requires CBU Login).

Seat Deposit Fee

All accepted applicants must pay a non-refundable $750 seat deposit fee within two weeks of receiving an acceptance offer, the seat deposit will be applied to the first semester tuition.

Requirements of Accepted Applicants

Screenings

Accepted applicants are required to successfully complete the following screenings prior to matriculation. Applicants are responsible for the costs of the screenings.

Screenings include:

• Background Check
• Child Abuse Clearance
• Drug Screening
• Medical Clearance
  Applicants offered a seat in the PA program must undergo a physical examination, immunizations and/or titers, TB testing, and completion of Health Forms prior to the start of the program. Requirements will be based on current CDC guidelines for healthcare workers. Failure to comply prior to the start of the program can result in seat forfeiture. Under no circumstance will students be permitted to participate in clinical experiences without medical clearance. This can have a significant impact on course grades associated with clinical experiences and, ultimately, lead to dismissal from the program.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Rationale: The Program curriculum has unique elements of training that mandate universal COVID-19 vaccinations for all incoming students. This is especially true for students once in the clinical phase of the Program where virtually all clinical rotation sites require COVID-19 vaccination to participate in training.

Policy: To ensure that all CBU PA students can complete all elements of their training required to graduate, it is the policy of this program that all incoming students are required to provide evidence of completion of an approved COVID-19 vaccination series prior to matriculation. The only exceptions to this policy will be for individuals who have a previously documented adverse reaction to the first dose of the vaccine or who present a physician/advanced practice provider letter documenting a valid medical reason not to undergo vaccination

Health Insurance

Applicants offered a seat in the PA program must provide proof of personal health insurance and maintain the insurance throughout the entire program.

Transportation

Applicants must have reliable transportation for both the didactic and clinical training of the program.

Technical Standards

All students must meet the technical standards requirement of the PA program which is part of the health screening.

Admission Preferences

The CBU PA program gives additional consideration to applicants who meet all basic admission requirements and one or more of the following:

• Metro Memphis residents and those living in the Mid-South
• CBU students and graduates
• Applicants with service in the armed forces
• Applicants with health care exposure and/or experience, but is not required
• Applicants who have successfully completed upper-division advanced science courses with a grade of B or better

Additional Admission Information

• The CBU Physician Assistant program does not accept transfer or part-time students.
• The CBU Physician Assistant program does not require the GRE or the MCAT.
• The CBU Physician Assistant program does not grant advanced placement for prior completion of program requirements.
• The CBU Physician Assistant program does not require clinical or work experience. See admissions preferences.