For June, 2009 Admissions

Prospective students are selected by the Committee on Admissions (COA) which considers the overall qualities of the applicant. Areas of consideration include:

• personal motivation,
• interpersonal skills
• knowledge of the PA profession,
• quality and length of prior health care experience,
• academic performance and level of achievement,
• recommendations/evaluations
• life experiences, and recommendations.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.90 and a minimum science GPA of 2.90 on a 4.0 grading scale in order for your application to be considered. Successful applicants in the past have typically had both cumulative and science GPAs of 3.2 or higher, GRE score (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) in the 40th percentile or higher in each of the three categories, and letters of recommendation from individuals with which the applicant has had a professional working relationship in a healthcare field.

Application Procedure

The program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for the receipt and processing of all applications. However, CASPA takes no part in the selection of our students. CASPA application packets may be obtained from http://www.caspaonline.org/ or by calling 617) 612-2080. Deadline for the CASPA application is December 1, 2008.

Supplemental Application Form:

Once the CASPA application has been received by Nova Southeastern University, supplemental application will be made available online. Your complete supplemental application must be received no later than January 31, 2009, in order to be considered for admission for the June entering class. Once we receive the GRE scores, the supplemental application, and the $50 fee, your file will be reviewed by the admissions counselor. Applicants will not be considered for possible interview until all of these requirements have been received.

Direct Links to Information

• Required Semester Hours & GPA
• Required Courses
• Recommended Courses
• GRE Entrance Examination
• Basic Life Support
• Computer Skills
• Prior Healthcare Experience
• Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation

1. Prior to matriculation, applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of specified course work from a regionally accredited college or university. Of these 90 semester hours, 30 semester hours must be upper division courses (typically defined as a course number beginning with a 3 or a 4). Upper division courses can be from any department other than physical education. The program requires students to have earned grades of C (2.0) or better in all required courses. Successful completion of a bachelor's degree meets the requirement of the 30 upper division hours.
   
   
2. Required Courses: The College requires applicants to earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in each of the following required subjects:
   
   
   • College Math - 3 semester hours (sh.)
   • English (including 3 sh of English Composition - 6 sh)
   • Humanities/Arts - 3 sh.
   • Social Sciences - 9 sh.
   • General Chemistry (I & II) including laboratory - 8 sh.
   • Microbiology including laboratory - 4 sh.
   • General biology and lab OR Zoology including laboratory - 4 sh.
   • Human Anatomy - 3 sh.
   • Human Physiology - 3 sh.
   • Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry - 3 sh.
   • Genetics - 3 sh.
   • Electives - 41 sh.

   Note: Graduates of foreign institutions where English is not the primary language of instruction must present transcripts showing at least 18 semester hours (sh) of study from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Of these 18 semester hours: 3 sh must be in English Composition, English Literature, and Public Speaking (courses do not include ESOL). The remaining nine semester hours can be any course of the applicant's choosing (excluding physical education).
   
   Recommended Courses:

   • Biochemistry lab - 1 sh.
   • Organic chemistry lab - 1 sh.
   • Anatomy lab - 1 sh.
   • Physiology lab - 1 sh.
   • Medical terminology - 1 sh.

   ++ Applicants are encouraged to complete their elective course work in the areas of behavioral, physical and social sciences or humanities.

3. GRE Standardized Test: All applicants are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test to the EPS, attention Physician Assistant Admissions. NSU's school code is 5522. The GRE must have been taken within the past 5 years and must be taken early enough for official scores to be received in the admissions office by the supplemental application due date of January 31. Applications will not be considered complete without GRE scores.
   
   

   For further information, contact:

   Graduate Record Examination (GRE) http://www.gre.org 1-609-921-9000

   
   

4. Basic Cardiac Life Support:
   We no longer require proof of current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support. All students are required to take BLS/BCLS, ACLS and PALS (pediatrics) during the program regardless of previous certification status or training.
   
   
5. Computer Requirement:
   Throughout the curriculum students are required to access various instructional materials and information from the internet. All student are required to have a computer with the following minimum suggested specifications:
   
   • PC Computer
   • CD ROM
   • Sound capability and speakers
   • Internet connection with private Internet service provider (ISP) for access from home to the Internet. If a laptop computer is utilized, a wireless modem will allow access to the campus-wide wireless network
   • Windows XP or NT
   • Microsoft Office 2003 with PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
   • Convenient access to a printer
   
   
   
6. Computer Skills:
   All applicants must show evidence of computer skills through course work or self study prior to the end of the first term. Students may obtain instruction through the NSU Microcomputer Laboratory or other training facilities.
   
   
7. Foreign Transcripts and English Test:
   Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by either World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or Josef Silney and Associates, Inc.

   World Education Services
   P.O. Box 01-5060
   Miami FL 33101
   212-966-6311 (N.Y. Office)
   www.wes.org

   Josef Silny & Associates
   P.O. Box 248233
   Coral Gables FL 33124
   305-273-1616
   305-273-1338 (fax)
   info@jsilny.com
   www.jsilny.com

   Educational Credential Evaluators
   P.O. Box 514070
   Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
   414-289-3400
   www.ece.org
   

8. Healthcare Experience:
   Prior health care experience is highly recommended and is considered for admission. Those applicants who have prior health care experience must submit verifiable information about their experience.
   
   
9. Transcripts:
   All applicants who are accepted must submit official transcripts of all completed coursework to the NSU EPS Physician Assistant Admissions prior to matriculation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that arrangements are made for these transcripts to be sent.
   
   
10. Letters of Recommendation:
    Three letters of recommendation/evaluation: One letter of recommendation/evaluation must be sent from an individual (other than a relative or friend) such as an academic advisor, professor, coworker, or supervisor. Two letters of recommendation/evaluation must be from health care professionals, one of which must be from a physician or a PA with whom you have worked, shadowed, or volunteered.