College of Health Sciences

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete the CASPA application
2. Complete the Faulkner Supplemental Form
3. Submit official transcripts
4. Submit a personal statement
5. Three letters of recommendation submitted
6. 100 minimum direct patient care hours submitted
7. 40 minimum PA shadowing hours submitted
8. GRE scores submitted to Faulkner's institution code (5028 OR 1034)

2024-2025 Admissions Information:

December 1, 2024 Application deadline

Applications will be reviewed after completion. Once reviewed, invitations to interview will be issued to the top candidates and will continue with rolling admissions until a full cohort has been reached.

Program Applicant Minimum Requirements for 2025:

• Official transcripts from every accredited United States College or University attended, or from a University outside of the United States with verified US equivalency.
  • Courses completed at Faulkner University do not require official transcripts to be requested.
• Evidence of earned, or pending, bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited United States University or from a University outside of the US with verified US equivalency and all prerequisite courses:
  • Up to 2 prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application as long as they are successfully (with a letter grade of C or better while maintaining minimum GPA requirements of ≥3.0) completed by June 1st of the matriculation year.
    • Accompanying labs are not considered additional courses.
    • If Medical Terminology has not been completed, this will not count towards the two outstanding prerequisite course limit.
  • All prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of matriculation date. Courses completed more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation will not be accepted.
  • At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, comparable courses completed during a terminal health related degree may be considered in lieu of undergraduate prerequisite courses.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0:
  • This will include post-baccalaureate courses; graduate level coursework will be excluded.
  • Extra consideration will be given to candidates who excelled in their academic coursework.
• Prerequisite GPA ≥ 3.0 (minimum of a C in each course, extra consideration will be given to candidates who excelled in their prerequisite coursework).
  • If courses are repeated, all grades achieved in that course will be averaged for GPA calculation.
• Three letters of recommendation
  • At a minimum, one letter must be from an MD, DO, PA, or NP.
  • Character references from family or friends (regardless of credentials) will NOT count towards the 3 letter requirement.
• Personal Statement
• 100 minimum Direct Patient Care Experience Hours (Documented in CASPA)
  • Direct Patient Care Experience Hours will be accepted with experience in any of the following fields:
    • Allied Healthcare Provider
    • Military Medic/Clinical Specialist Corpsman
    • Emergency Department/Hospital Clinic Technician
    • Medical Assistant
    • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Aide
    • EMT or Paramedic
    • Operating Room Technician
    • Emergency Department/Clinic Scribe
    • Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant
    • Respiratory Therapist/Aide
    • Radiology Technician/Technologist
    • RN/LPN
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • Other types of experience may be considered at the discretion of the admissions committee
• 40 minimum Shadowing Hours with a PA (documented in CASPA, virtual shadowing hours not accepted)
• Supplemental Faulkner graduate application ($75 fee)

 Applicants may enhance their application by meeting any of the below conditions:

• Missional Alignment with Faulkner University
• Faulkner Legacy Student, defined as one of the following:
  • previous degree from Faulkner University
  • completion of at least half of prerequisite coursework at Faulkner University
  • submission of a character reference letter from someone affiliated with Faulkner University
• Excellence in Cumulative, Prerequisite and last 60 hour coursework GPA.
• Prerequisite science courses taken in a university setting.
• Completion of additional coursework with letter grade of B or higher, examples listed below, that would enhance performance in the PA Program:
  • Immunology
  • Genetics
    • While Genetics is not a required prerequisite course, it is strongly encouraged
  • Pathophysiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Physics
  • Cell Biology
  • Organic Chemistry
• Direct patient care experience as one of the following:
  • Nurse (LPN, RN), EMT/Paramedic, Military Medic/Clinical Specialist Corpsman
  • CNA, AT, PT/OT, Home health with verification of duties, Scribe
• Additional Patient Care and Shadowing Hours over and above the minimum requirements (documented in CASPA).
• Healthcare Related Volunteer Hours (minimum of 100 hours for enhancement, documented in CASPA).
• Military Service
• Advanced Degree in Health Related Studies (example: Masters in Public Health)
• Leadership Experience in a service area related to the healthcare profession
• Graduate of a school that has established an articulation agreement with Faulkner University's Physician Assistant studies program.

Additional Notes

• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will honor up to two “Pass” grades in prerequisite classes taken anytime between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. No more than 2 total prerequisite courses may be pass/fail.
• Advanced Placement (AP) credit is accepted to satisfy up to one prerequisite course if the AP credit is accepted by the applicant's degree-granting institution, and is posted on official academic transcripts as credit toward a specific course.
  • Note: While AP credits are accepted, it is recommended to have AP prerequisite courses repeated in a university setting.
• CLEP examination credit is not accepted.
• Science prerequisites must be specifically for science majors
• Online courses that meet the general coursework requirements are typically accepted; however, prerequisite science courses are recommended to be in-person/on-ground.
  • For applicants with many online courses on their transcript, it is recommended to take several in-person upper-level sciences. This demonstrates the ability to handle the level of rigor of an in-classroom setting.
• Each course may only satisfy one prerequisite.
• Applicants submitting prerequisite courses and/or a Bachelor’s degree from a university outside of the United States must provide a certified, translated transcript from NAIA Incred or World Education Services that specifically states the US equivalent course(s) and/or degree.
  • Please refer to the Faulkner University website for admission requirements for international students. https://www.faulkner.edu/admissions/international-students/ 
• The Program seeks to promote a cohort of students from varied backgrounds and experiences in order to foster a learning environment that prepares PAs to address the needs of a diverse society.
• The Faulkner University Physician Assistant Studies program does not accept advanced placement credit toward PA Studies courses. (Standard A3.13(c))
• A completed application must be submitted through CASPA in order to be reviewed by Faulkner University. The application cycle for the Fall start will begin in May annually. The deadline for all application materials to be verified in the CASPA application portal is December 1st annually.
• Refer to the Faulkner University Physician Assistant Studies website for additional matriculation requirements. https://www.faulkner.edu/graduate/graduate-degrees/physican-assistant-studies-ms-pas/

Matriculation Requirements

Once candidates have been offered a seat in our program, there are several requirements that must be met prior to matriculating in the Fall. All acceptances are contingent upon satisfactory completion of the following requirements. Acceptance letters will provide detailed instructions for each item listed below.

1. Seat Deposit - Once an offer is extended, the candidate will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to reserve their seat. 
2. Prerequisites / Bachelor’s Degree - If any prerequisites were in progress at the time of application, the candidate will be required to submit official transcripts to verify successful completion. If a Bachelor’s Degree is pending at the time of application, the candidate will be required to submit official transcripts showing degree conferral. All items must be completed by June 1st of the matriculation year. 
3. Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen - The PA Program will set up an account for the candidate to complete a criminal background check and drug screen. The candidate will be responsible for the cost of the background check and drug screen. Unsatisfactory results will result in forfeiture of the candidate’s seat.
4. Health Insurance - All students must maintain a valid major medical insurance policy while registered at Faulkner University. This includes classes during the didactic and clinical phases of the program. 
5. Physical Examination - Candidates must have a comprehensive physical examination performed by their healthcare provider to demonstrate that the student is free of any physical or mental impairment(s) which may pose a potential risk to him/herself or to patients or which may interfere with the performance of clinical responsibilities.
6. Immunizations - All students are required to maintain immunizations that are recommended by the CDC for Healthcare Workers. These include: hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19 (or exemption), measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), Meningococcal, and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap).

Additional questions should be submitted to:

PA Admissions
paadmissions@faulkner.edu

Click to view average statistics for accepted students.