Prerequisites

Admission to the Physician Assistant Program is a highly competitive process. Prospective PA students are strongly encouraged to exceed minimum levels of work, especially in relation to grade point average, grades in the prerequisite courses, scores on the GRE, and recommended clinical experience hours. The prerequisite requirements listed above are the minimum for admission to the Program.  The Admissions Committee will select those most qualified for the positions available. 

An intensive review of each applicant's CASPA application will be conducted by the admissions team and Admissions Committee. The Committee review will encompass any and all aspects of the student’s prior educational, personal, and professional record. Applicants must meet all or exceed the prerequisite requirements for consideration into the Program.

Minimum requirements for admission to the Physician Assistant Program include: 

1. A Bachelors Degree from a US-accredited university.
2. Completion of all pre-requisite courses with a grade of C or better from a US-accredited university or college. All prerequisites must have been completed within the 10 years prior to the expected date of matriculation at an US-accredited insitution. With the exception of statistics, online coursework will not be accepted for pre-requisite courses. If you have not completed all of the prerequisites, you can submit your application with two outstanding prerequisite courses with the intent to have them completed by the date of matriculation.
   1. Human Anatomy & Physiology, a complete sequence (including labs; 8 semester hours)
   2. Microbiology, at the pre-med level/appropriate as a first-level requirement for a Microbiology major (including lab; 4 semester hours)
   3. General Chemistry, a complete sequence geared toward science majors/appropriate as a first-level course for a Chemistry major (including labs; 8 semester hours)
   4. Organic Chemistry (including labs; 4 semester hours)
   5. Statistics, including statistical tests and analysis (3 semester hours)

1. A cumulative overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 of a possible 4.0 on all undergraduate and graduate work completed at an accredited university or college.
2. A cumulative biology, chemistry, and physics grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 of a possible 4.0 on all undergraduate and graduate work completed at an accredited university or college.
3. Minimum GRE scores for admissions are as follows: verbal (146), quantitative (141), and writing (2.5). GRE scores for Mississippi College PA Program should be sent directly through CASPA; school code:# 0598.
4. Documentation of clinical experience by the applicant should be submitted directly to CASPA. Strong patient contact experience; (i.e., RN, LPN, Respiratory Therapist, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, EMT, Patient Care Tech, Radiology Technologist, Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Surgical Tech) is encouraged, but all patient care experience will be considered.  
5. Consistent with State law for healthcare providers, and for compliance with hospital and health center requirements, criminal background checks and/or drug screenings may be required. Failure to successfully meet requirements for the background check or drug screening may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the Physician Assistant Program.
6. Applicants must meet all technical standards as evaluated by the Admissions Committee.
7. Applicants must have completed all required immunizations (as outlined in the PA Student Handbook) prior to matriculation.
8. Courses must appear on the CASPA application with a final grade. If you have not completed all of the prerequisites, you can submit your application with two outstanding prerequisite courses with the intent to have them completed by the date of matriculation.