Physician Assistant Program - Fort Lauderdale

The entry-level physician assistant program at NSU, leading to a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree, is a fully integrated program encompassing basic science, clinical, and professional work. All students must complete the entire curriculum, regardless of their previous educational preparation.

The PA-S(1): Academic Education (15 months)

The course of study in the 15 month didactic/academic phase includes a curriculum that builds on student knowledge of the basic sciences, introduces clinical medicine and fosters the development of the critical thinking process.

Courses include Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Physical Diagnosis, Medical Terminology, Microbiology, Legal and Ethical Issues, Pharmacology, Clinical Medicine and Surgery (a multi-discipline review of all medicine and surgery), Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Procedures and Surgical Skills, Life Support Procedures and Skills, Clinical Genetics, Domestic Violence training, OSHA "Blood borne Pathogen" training, and Interpretation of the Medical Literature.

(Note: Many applicants may have completed similar courses in other institutions. No course exemptions for previous course work completed prior to admission will be considered except by expressed permission of the Program Director and the School of Health Sciences dean. The PA program curriculum is subject to change and /or modification at any time).

The PA-S(2): Clinical Education (12 months)

The second year consists of clinical rotations in hospitals, private practices, and other patient care areas over the remaining 12 months of the program. The following areas of concentration are required in this clinical phase: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine, OB/GYN and Behavioral Health. Students also complete three electives.

During the second year, students are required to return to campus after each rotation. These "End of Rotation" events include testing, review seminars, job preparation and didactic instruction in contemporary clinical medicine and surgery topics.

The progress of each student through the curriculum requires continuous satisfactory academic and clinical performance. Since many of the curriculum’s courses are offered only once per year, a student may have an altered plan of study if not making satisfactorily progress each semester. This may extend the student’s program beyond the standard 7 consecutive semesters. There is a maximum four-year time limit for program completion, which includes any approved leave of absence / administrative break and subsequent return to the program.

Didactic Phase

Clinical Phase

*Clinical rotations vary in sequence

Remediation Policy

The purpose of course remediation is to assure mastery of the material taught in a course, not only for earning good grades, but also to develop proficiency to guide decision-making in clinical and nonclinical situations.

Course Remediations

In alignment with the policies of the Dr. Pallavi Patel School of Health Sciences, students enrolled in the PA programs may remediate up to two courses during the didactic year. Remediation is not permitted for clinical year courses.

• A student who has remediated two didactic courses and subsequently fails a clinical year course is referred to the Committee on Student Progress (CSP) for disposition, which may include dismissal.
• A student who fails one clinical year course is referred to CSP fro review and disposition, which may include dismissal.
• A student who fails two clinical year courses meets the criteria for dismissal from the program.

Didactic Year Remediation

The PA program is an intense academic experience. Students will encounter both written and performance-based examinations. Failing to pass an exam has been shown to be due to gaps in knowledge or deficient test-taking skills. Therefore, the PA department has established guidelines for remediation to ensure students are remediating their deficiencies and achieving program competencies. 

Exam Failure Remediation Policy

If a student fails to pass an exam, the student will be notified, and the course director, in collaboration with the academic director, will create an individualized remediation assignment tailored to the student’s deficiencies as per specific program policy.  Failure to achieve the 75% passing score or failure to submit the remediation assignment will result in referral to the CSP for further disposition.  

Deceleration Policy

The purpose of deceleration is to provide students with a structured opportunity to leave their original cohort due to medical circumstances, while remaining enrolled in the physician assistant (PA) program. This process allows students to rejoin the program with a later cohort and continue their education without permanent withdrawal. 

ARC-PA Definition: “The loss of a student from the entering cohort, who remains matriculated in the physician assistant program.” 

Deceleration may be recommended or approved in the following situations: 

Process for Deceleration 

Students may request deceleration for medical conditions that preclude their participation in the program. The student will meet with the Program Director and submit the request in writing. The student must submit documentation from their health care provider that states a student’s medical condition currently prohibits their full participation in the program, and discontinuation is appropriate at this time. A student desiring a medical leave of absence must be in good academic and professional standing in the program. Leave will not be considered in lieu of dismissal. If the deceleration is approved, the student is immediately withdrawn and will be re-enrolled in the next cohort, pending medical clearance. The student will have to repeat the entire program; courses will not be audited. 

The Committee on Student Progress may also recommend deceleration for medical conditions that impact a student’s ability to be successful in the program. If the Committee on Student Progress recommends deceleration during the didactic year, the Committee will make an official recommendation to the Program Director. If the deceleration is approved by the Program Director, the student is immediately withdrawn and will be re-enrolled in the next cohort, pending medical clearance. The student will have to repeat the entire program; courses will not be audited. 

Students on medical leave must notify the Program Director of their intent to return to the program by a specified date. Additionally, the student will need to submit documentation from the certifying health care provider that they are medically cleared to return to the PA program, can meet all the technical standards for enrollment, and can fully participate in all activities. Additionally, the program may refer the student to the university’s Office of Dean of Students to have a fit for duty assessment. Failure to follow this procedure will result in forfeiture of a student’s place in the cohort.  

Note: Deceleration is not permitted during the clinical year. If a student requires a leave of absence during the clinical phase, the student must complete all clinical requirements upon return, resulting in a delayed graduation date. See the Clinical Year Handbook for more information. Any alteration in the normal curriculum progression may affect a student’s financial aid status or qualification for education-based financial aid. For specific counseling and advice, students should contact the College’s Office of Academic Affairs and the University’s Office of Financial Aid. The maximum length of time to complete the PA program is 4 years. 

Withdrawal and Dismissal

The PA Program defers to the policies outlined in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine Student Handbook regarding student withdrawal and dismissal. Students should refer to the handbook for detailed procedures, institutional, and program expectations.

Processing Student Allegations of Harassment and Mistreatment (A1.02g)*

Nova Southeastern University has established policies and procedures for processing student allegations of harassment and mistreatment. These policies are published, readily available, and consistently applied to all students. Information regarding harassment and mistreatment reporting, investigation processes, and resolution can be found through NSU's Title IX office at https://www.nova.edu/title-ix/. Students may report allegations to the Title IX office, or https://www.nova.edu/student-conduct/report-a-concern.html.

Additionally, policies centered around student allegations of harassment and mistreatment will be found in the College of Allopathic Medicine Student Handbook at: https://www.nova.edu/publications/allopathic-student-handbook/.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Refunds of Tuition and Fees Policy and Procedures (A1.02h)*

The Nova Southeastern University PA Program follows the university's established policies for refunds of tuition and fees. These policies are published, readily available, and consistently applied to all students. The deadline dates for withdrawals and corresponding refund schedules can be found through the NSU Bursar's Office at https://www.nova.edu/bursar/refunds/index.html. Students should contact the Bursar's Office for questions regarding refund eligibility and procedures.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Program Policy Application (A3.01)*

Program policies apply to all students enrolled in the NSU PA program, its principal faculty, staff, and the program director, regardless of location. In some circumstances, a clinical affiliation agreement or memorandum of understanding may specify additional policies or policies that supersede those of the program.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

PA Students Must Not be Required to Work for the PA Program Policy (A3.02)*

At no time during enrollment in the PA Program will any student be asked to work in any capacity for the PA Program, the College of Allopathic Medicine, or Nova Southeastern University.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

PA Students Must Not Substitute or Function as Instructional Faculty or Clinical or Administrative Staff Policy (A3.03)*

Students will not substitute for or function as instructional faculty, clinical staff, or administrative staff at any time during their enrollment in the PA Program.

*Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

PA Students Must be Clearly Identified in the Clinical Setting Policy (A3.04)*

When identification badges are issued, students are expected to always wear their badges while on educational assignments and during all clinical rotations. Badges must be clearly visible and are not to be carried in wallets or pockets during educational activities. Students must be clearly identified to distinguish them from other health professions students and practitioners.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Student Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards Policy (A3.05)*

The Nova Southeastern University PA Program provides policies addressing student exposure to infectious and environmental hazards before students undertake any educational activities that would place them at risk.

These policies:

• Address methods of prevention
• Address procedures for care and treatment after exposure
• Clearly define financial responsibility
• Students receive training on infection risk and infection prevention procedures in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations, standards, and regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens. Training occurs during program orientation and prior to clinical rotations.

Injuries and Accidents

Injuries and accidents of all kinds during regular class periods or required and elective clinical rotations should be brought to the attention of the hospital/clinic/practice, preceptor and the Program immediately following the incident. In the event of an accident or injury during instructional time, students should seek treatment at the NSU Student Clinic or a healthcare provider in close proximity to their location. Complete exposure reporting protocols can be found in the College of Allopathic Medicine Student Handbook on pages 168-169 here https://www.nova.edu/publications/allopathic-student-handbook/.

If a student believes he/she has been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen, especially if any of the signs or symptoms of diseases caused by exposed pathogens have been experienced, the student should consult his/her physician or doctor as soon as possible.

Students must complete a Student/Resident Post-Exposure Form online. The form is located on the Environmental Health and Safety website at https://www.nova.edu/ehs/index.html under “Forms”.

Ultimately, the student is responsible for initiating care after exposure to possible bloodborne pathogens. The student may consult his/her private physician for guidance and assistance.

All costs are the sole responsibility of the student. Consistent with this financial responsibility, all students are mandated to always have active health care insurance while enrolled in the PA program.

While there is no guarantee or requirement for such, most of the clinical sites utilized by the NSU Physician Assistant Program can and will arrange for immediate care of students in the event of accidental injury or illness with minimal charge to the student, accepting the assignment of the student’s insurance. They will not, as a rule, take responsibility for subsequent costs involved in follow-up care, treatment, counseling, hospitalization, or preventive care.

The University does not assume liability for accidents, injuries, or exposures to blood or other body fluids while engaged in an experience related to your education.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Preclude Principal Faculty, the Program Director and the Medical Director from Participating as Health Care Providers for Students Policy (A3.06)*

No healthcare services can be provided to a student enrolled in the PA Program by the program director, medical director, or any principal faculty, except in emergency situations.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Timely Access and/or Referral of Students to Services Addressing Personal Issues Procedure (A3.07)*

The PA Program curriculum encompasses a large amount of material presented at a rapid pace. Students may find that study techniques suitable at the undergraduate level may not be sufficient for the PA Program curriculum. The program provides timely access and referral to services addressing personal issues that may impact student progress, including:

• Academic counseling and advising
• Tutorial assistance
• Personal counseling services
• Mental health services
• Student wellness resources
• Faculty advisers are assigned to all students at the beginning of the program and meet at least once per semester with their advisees, or more often as needed. Academic monitoring and routine review of course exam results take place for all courses and clinical rotations by Program Faculty.

Students are welcome to discuss ideas, personal issues, or general concerns about student life with any member of the PA Program Faculty. Information about available services can be found through the Schools of Health Sciences and Rehabilitative Sciences Student Success Center in Canvas and Student Counseling and Well-Being services through Henderson Behavioral Health at https://www.nova.edu/student-counseling/index.html/index.html.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Prospective and Enrolled Students Must Not be Required to Provide or Solicit Clinical Sites or Preceptors Policy (A3.08)*

Prospective and currently enrolled students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. Students may provide suggestions, but all sites and preceptors will be vetted by the program to ensure the sites allow for students to meet the instructional objectives and learning outcomes required by the program.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Immunization and Health Screening of Students Policy (A3.09a)*

The Nova Southeastern University PA Program follows the most current CDC guidelines for healthcare provider immunizations. Students are required to follow all immunization requirements for healthcare workers based on current CDC health professionals' recommendations and applicable state mandates. Documentation of required immunizations and health screenings must be completed prior to beginning the program.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Program Information Published and Made Readily Available (A3.11)*

The program publishes and makes readily available to enrolled and prospective students current program information, including:

a) ARC-PA Accreditation Status

The Nova Southeastern University PA Program's accreditation status as provided by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is Continued as presented here https://md.nova.edu/degrees/masters/physician-assistant/fort-lauderdale/index.html under the "Accreditation" section.

b) Evidence of Program Effectiveness

The program demonstrates its effectiveness in meeting program goals. Detailed information can be found here https://md.nova.edu/documents/pa/fort-lauderdale/mission-goals-outcomes-pa-fort-lauderdale.pdf

c) NCCPA PANCE Pass Rates

The current annual "NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report Last 5 Years" listing pass rates is published no later than April 1st of each year and can be found here https://md.nova.edu/documents/pa/fort-lauderdale/pa-fort-lauderdale-pance-pass-rates.pdf

d) Required Curricular Components and Delivery Methods

All required curricular components and their delivery methods are detailed in the program curriculum guide available here https://md.nova.edu/degrees/masters/physician-assistant/fort-lauderdale/index.html under the "Curriculum" dropdown section.

e) Academic Credit

The PA Program awards a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree upon successful completion of 142 credit hours.

f) Estimates of Total Cost of Enrollment

Current estimates of tuition, fees, and other costs of enrollment can be found here https://md.nova.edu/admissions/tuition-fees.html

g) Program-Defined Competencies for Entry Level Practice

The program's competencies for entry-level practice include medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Complete competency descriptions can be found here https://md.nova.edu/documents/pa/fort-lauderdale/pa-fort-lauderdale-program-competencies.pdf

i) Student Graduation Rate Information

Current annual student graduation rate information is published on the ARC-PA table format no later than April 1st of each year and can be found here https://md.nova.edu/documents/pa/fort-lauderdale/student-attrition-pa-fort-lauderdale.pdf. 

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Admission and Enrollment Practices (A3.12)*

The program publishes, consistently applies, and makes readily available to enrolled and prospective students’ admission and enrollment practices that address:

a) Favored or Preferred Characteristics, Individuals, or Groups

The Program provides preferred status. This information can be found in the Admissions Information section under the Experience tab.

b) Prior Education

Applicants must meet prior education requirements. This information can be found in the Admissions Information section under the Requirements and Additional Academic Requirements tabs.

c) Awarding or Granting Advanced Placement

The program does not award or grant advanced placement.

d) Required Work Experience

The program does not require prior work experience for admission.

e) Required Technical Standards for Enrollment

Applicants and enrolled students must meet the technical standards listed here https://md.nova.edu/documents/pa/pa-technical-standards.pdf

Complete admission requirements can be found in the Admissions section

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Required Academic Standards (A3.14a)*

Promotion from one grading period to the next is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of courses in each preceding grading period. Satisfactory completion is defined as achieving a passing grade in each course, which defines the academic standard required for all NSU PA Program courses. The Academic Standards can be found at https://www.nova.edu/publications/allopathic-student-handbook/  (see page 285).

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Progress in and Completion of the PA Program Requirements and Deadlines (A3.14b)*

The progress of each student through the curriculum requires continuous, satisfactory academic and professional performance. No student may advance to the clinical year of study without satisfactorily completing all the requirements for the didactic year’s courses.

In addition, no student may complete the clinical-year curriculum and graduate without satisfactorily completing all the requirements for the clinical-year coursework. The expected time to complete the program requirement is 27 months. There is a maximum four-year time limit for program completion, which includes any approved leave of absence/administrative break in enrollment and subsequent return to the program.

Any student failing a course or failing to exhibit satisfactory professional behavior will be referred to the Committee on Student Progress (CSP).

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Remediation Policy and Procedures (A3.14c)*

The Program’s Remediation Policy and Procedures are located above under the Program Policies section.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Deceleration Policy and Procedures (A3.14d)*

The Program’s Deceleration Policy and Procedures are located above under the Program Policies section.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Withdrawal Policy and Procedures (A3.14e)*

The Program’s Withdrawal Policy and Procedures are located above under the Program Policies section. 

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Dismissal Policy and Procedures (A3.14f)*

The Program’s Dismissal Policy and Procedures are located above under the Program Policies section.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Student Grievances Policy and Procedures (A3.14g)*

Students have the opportunity to file grievances regarding academic or non-academic matters. Complete grievance procedures can be found within the College of Allopathic Medicine Student Handbook here https://www.nova.edu/publications/allopathic-student-handbook/

Additionally, depending on the nature of the grievance, student procedures may vary.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Student Appeals Policy and Procedures (A3.14h)*

Students have the opportunity to appeal decisions including, but not limited to, course grades, rotation grades, remediation requirements, deceleration, and dismissal. The appeal must provide adequate evidence that the decision was arbitrary, capricious, or not in accordance with published program policies.

Grade Appeals Process:

Information regarding the Grade Appeal process can be found in the College of Allopathic Medicine Student Handbook here  https://www.nova.edu/publications/allopathic-student-handbook/ (see page 156).

Complete information on the student appeals process is located in the College of Allopathic Medicine Student Handbook here  https://www.nova.edu/publications/allopathic-student-handbook/ see page 212).

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Student Employment While Enrolled in the Program Policy (A3.14i)*

The intense schedule of educational activities and responsibilities associated with completion of the program constitute a very rigorous set of events with substantial time demands. It is for this reason that the program strongly advises against attempting to work while enrolled in the program. Students who choose to maintain employment must ensure that work commitments do not interfere with their ability to meet all program requirements and academic obligations.

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

Student Travel to Required Rotation Sites Policy (A3.14j)*

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all required rotation sites. The program will make reasonable efforts to place students at clinical sites within a reasonable geographic distance; however, students may be required to travel to sites outside the immediate area to meet program learning outcomes and complete required rotations. Students are expected to have reliable transportation and should plan accordingly for associated travel costs https://md.nova.edu/admissions/tuition-fees.html. 

* Indicates ARC-PA Standard.

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
• extracurricular activities and community service
• employment while in school
• collegiate athletics

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale at the time of application in order for your application to be considered. Successful applicants in the past have typically had both cumulative and science GPAs of 3.4 or higher, GRE score (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) in the 40th percentile or higher in each of the three categories.

Course work, particularly required and recommended prerequisites, completed in the recent past is deemed to be more relevant to the related content in the professional curriculum and serve as better preparation than course work completed in prior years. Academic preparation is considered on a case-by-case basis in the context of health care experience, etc.

Recommended courses are regarded as important elements of comprehensive preparation for application and success in the curriculum.

Introductory and survey courses are not accepted to fulfill the required science prerequisites.

Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified applicants to assess interpersonal and communication skills, teamwork, interests, inquisitiveness, grit and resilience, humility, and integrity. Interviews are conducted on the Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, campus and are by invitation only. Interviews are usually held during the months of October through March.

The most current information pamphlet, university catalog and application information should be consulted for the most up-to-date information.

The Physician Assistant Program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for the receipt and processing of all applications. CASPA takes no part in the selection of students. CASPA applications are completed online at CASPA.

Questions regarding completion of the online application may be directed to CASPA's email address, by telephone at (617) 612-2080, or by visiting the CASPA Applicant Help Center.

The CASPA application deadline is January 15 to be considered for admission the following May.

Required Degree

Prior to matriculation, applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Required Courses

The College requires applicants to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in each of the following required courses listed below. Science prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to matriculation. There is no expiration date for prerequisite courses. However, applicants are still responsible for retaining the knowledge gained from prerequisite coursework. Therefore, applicants with science prerequisites over 10 years may be considered less competitive.

• College Math - 3 semester hours   (Statistics does not satisfy this requirement)
• English (including 3 semester hours of English Composition) - 6 semester hours
• Humanities/Arts - 3 semester hours (examples include; philosophy, religion, foreign language, law, ethics, literature, performing/visual arts, e.g. music, dance, film, theater, band, opera, painting, drawing.)
• Social Sciences - 9 semester hours (examples include; anthropology, psychology, sociology, political science, economics, history, geography, criminology, archeology, communication, cultural studies, law, ethics)
• General Inorganic Chemistry (I & II) including lab - 8 semester hours
• Microbiology including lab - 4 semester hours
• General Biology (or Zoology) including lab - 4 semester hours
• Human Anatomy & Physiology – 6 semester hours*
• Biochemistry - 3 semester hours
• Human Genetics (Genetics, not Animal Genetics) - 3 semester hours
• Medical Terminology – 1 semester hour

*If you take the combination class of Human Anatomy & Physiology I (A&P I), then you must complete the sequence by taking Human Anatomy & Physiology II (A&P II).

Note: Graduates of foreign institutions where English is not the primary language of instruction must present transcripts showing at least 18 semester hours of study from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Of these 18 semester hours: three 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 semester hour
• Anatomy lab – 1 semester hour
• Physiology lab – 1 semester hour
• Introduction to Statistics – 3 semester hours

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

GRE Standardized Test

All applicants are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test through the CASPA application portal. The program's CASPA GRE is 0947. The GRE must have been taken within the past 5 years and must be taken early enough for official scores to be received in CASPA by January 15th. Applications will not be considered complete without GRE scores. If multiple exams have been taken, only the most recent GRE scores will be considered.

For further information contact:

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

Basic 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. 

Throughout the curriculum students are required to access various instructional materials and information from the Internet. All students are required to have a laptop computer and printer.

The computer must have the following minimum specifications:

PC/Laptop

• Operating System: 64-bit Windows 10 (Must be genuine U.S. English versions or Windows operating systems)
• Processor: Intel I5 processor or above
• RAM: 8 GB or higher
• Hard Disk Space: 256GB solid state drive (SSD) or higher
• Graphics Card: Integrated graphics card or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or dedicated video graphics card with 4 GB video memory or higher
• Display: 1280x1024 or higher

MacBook/iMac

• Operating System: Mac OS C Monterey or higher (Must be genuine versions of Mac operating systems)
• Processor: Intel I5 processor or above M1
• RAM: 8 GB or higher
• Hard Disk Space: 256GB solid state drive (SSD) or higher
• Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus or higher, or Apple M1 Integrated graphics
• Display: 1280x1024 or higher

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.

Healthcare Experience

While there is no minimum requirement, prior healthcare experience is highly recommended. Higher consideration may be given to applicants with prior direct patient contact. 

PA Shadow Experience

PA shadow experience is not required, but is preferred. Higher consideration may be given to applicants with greater PA shadow hours.

Official transcripts from all institutions where course work was completed or attempted must be sent directly to CASPA by the institutions. Once accepted, if the applicant did not submit final official transcripts with degree conferral to CASPA prior to acceptance, the applicant must submit all updated transcripts to NSU prior to matriculation. The updated official transcripts are to be sent directly from the institution to:

Enrollment Processing Services
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue, P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33314-9905

Foreign Transcripts

Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) organization, such as one of the services listed below.

An official course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service to CASPA.