PA Studies Admissions & Applications

Degree

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution (no waivers for international degrees).

Minimum GPAs

• Overall GPA ≥ 3.0

• Science GPA ≥ 3.0

All undergraduate and graduate coursework included in calculations.

Priority review will be given to candidates with an overall and science GPA ≥ 3.2.

Prerequisite Coursework

Letter grade of C or better, completed within 10 years of Sept 1 deadline.

Science courses designated for science majors:

• Microbiology/Bacteriology with lab – 4 credits

• Biochemistry – 3 credits

• Genetics – 3 credits

• Human Anatomy with lab – 4 credits

• Human Physiology with lab – 4 credits

• Organic Chemistry with lab – 4 credits

• Behavioral Sciences – 3 credits

• Statistics – 3 credits

• Medical Terminology – 1 credit

• Total: 29 credits

Prerequisites may be taken at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university, including online or distance learning.

The program does not grant advanced placement, credit by exam, or pass/fail to fulfill prerequisites or professional coursework credit. All matriculated students must complete the full PAS curriculum in sequence.

Prior learning (other PA programs or health programs), CE/CME, and workforce credits do not fulfill prerequisites.

All prerequisite credits and a bachelor’s degree must be completed no later than the end of the spring semester of the year of matriculation.

The program does not pre-review course equivalencies.

Final transcripts and planned coursework are audited after an offer is accepted.

International Students

Applicants must have completed all prerequisite coursework and must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. This requirement cannot be waived.

At this time, the program is unable to accept DACA students.

Required Work Experience

UTMB’s PAS admissions process does not require a minimum number of direct patient care or shadowing hours. Applicants should use their experiences to demonstrate readiness and alignment with the profession. While not required, these hours are taken into consideration as part of the holistic review and can strengthen an application.

Technical Standards for Enrollment

In order to matriculate, applicants to the UTMB Physician Assistant Program must be able to perform the technical standards and competencies found in the UTMB PA Handbook.

Back to top

We are pleased that you have chosen the physician assistant profession, and we are committed to supporting you through what we believe will be some of the most rewarding years of your academic journey. The John Sealy School of Medicine offers a 26-month program leading to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.

Admission to the PA program is determined by the Admissions Committee, which is composed of appointed PA faculty members. To be considered for admission to the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at The University of Texas Medical Branch–Galveston, applicants must submit a completed CASPA application, official transcripts, all required supporting documents, and must take the Casper test on or before the published deadline.

Back to top

Back to top

View the PA Studies Degree Plan and Curriculum.

Back to top

View the PA Studies Open House Dates & Campus Tours.

Back to top

• UTMB Internal Scholarship Instructions

• List of JSSOM Scholarship

• Physician Associate Foundation (PAF) Scholarship Program

Back to top

• PA Education Association: Paying for PA School

• National Health Service Corps- Prospective Scholars

Back to top

Back to top