Advance thru an Articulation Agreement from your Shenandoah University Undergraduate Degree to a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) Graduate Degree Program.

Shenandoah University’s undergraduate College of Arts and Science has established an articulation agreement with its School of Health Professions as a partnership in providing a pathway to graduate admission.  Only full-time, enrolled undergraduate Shenandoah University (SU) students, who are currently earning a baccalaureate degree from SU, are eligible to be considered for a set number of reserved seats.  

Admission Requirements

For admission into Shenandoah University’s Physician Assistant (SUPA) Program, candidates must complete the following requirements:

1. Submit an application thru the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).  The admission cycle opens by April 30th each year.
   • Submit all official transcripts showing completion of all prerequisite courses.
   • Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals with whom the applicant is well acquainted with academically, personally, and/or professionally (do not use family member or other personal relationship references), and please follow CASPA instructions on how to present these.
   • Submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores. Official scores are to be sent direct to CASPA using the SU code: 0414. Successful candidates generally have scores above the 50th percentile.
   • Obtain a score of acceptable or above in an interview with the Division of Physician Assistant Studies.
2. Academic Requirements:
   • A Bachelor of Science or Arts degree earned at Shenandoah University.
   • Prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C or better, however, A or B grades are considered competitive.
   • A minimum 3.0 CASPA-calculated overall grade point average (GPA).
   • A minimum 3.0 CASPA-calculated overall science GPA.
   • A minimum 3.0 Shenandoah University prerequisite GPA.
3. Additional preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate a commitment to practice primary care in rural or urban medically underserved areas by  uploading a letter, and any documents supporting this rationale, to their CASPA application.  Documentation is best achieved by identifying and describing prior work or community volunteer experience.

The program’s application deadline is October 1st which is published on the program specific page in CASPA.

Admissions Process

Up to a total of five undergraduate SU students who meet admission criteria and receive an acceptable or above on-site interview rating, will be rank-ordered and admitted into SUPA’s graduate program each year.  If more than 5 students apply, SUPA will consider all application materials before students enter into the regular applicant pool.

Once an SU bachelor’s degree is conferred one is no longer able to be considered under the SU Articulation Agreement, thus, make sure to apply to CASPA within the year before graduation.

Campus location preference will be determined upon acceptance.

Admission into the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) program is decided by SUPA’s Admissions Committee. Final decisions are based on consideration of all application materials along with the admissions interview evaluation.  Interviewed applicants will be notified of their decision within two weeks of their visit.

Provisional admission is offered to those students completing their bachelor degree and final prerequisite courses prior to program entry/matriculation. These students receive an admission letter from the SUPA Program as well as from the Graduate Admissions Office listing which requirements need to be completed, along with other details.

This agreement does not negate the usual process of student evaluation or supersede final decisions on admissions. After successful completion of the Division of Physician Assistant Studies program, Shenandoah University awards a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) degree.

This agreement is intended to be a long-term arrangement. Each party may continue or discontinue this agreement on a yearly basis with notice. Shenandoah University requires a two-year notice for changes in prerequisites to provide adequate protection for students in a pre-physician assistant course of study.

 

Explore the Pre-Health Program at Shenandoah

 

Contact Us About This Articulation Agreement

Additional questions about Shenandoah’s pre-health pathways, articulation agreements and advising may be directed to:

DIRECTOR OF PRE-HEALTH

Dr. Kate Divine | kdivine@su.edu