Master of Medical Science, Physician Assistant

Applicants to the NSU Physician Assistant (PA) programs must apply through CASPA and satisfy all published academic and prerequisite requirements. Applications must be submitted by January 15. 

Admission to each program is separate, competitive, and based on a holistic review process that considers both academic achievement and non-academic factors outlined in the CASPA application and the interview process. 

NOTE: NSU PA programs do not grant advanced standing to matriculants for previous coursework, work experience, or life experience.

Effective Summer 2028,

Required Labs

• Complete Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence with two corresponding labs. This will increase the prerequisite requirement credits from 6 semester credits to 8 semester credits. If a student takes Human Anatomy and Human Physiology sequences, two labs are also required.

Recommended Course

• College Physics (Lecture and Lab)- 4 semester credits hours

Overview

• All prerequisites must be completed as specified; waivers and course substitutions are not permitted.
  
  
• Introductory and survey courses will not be accepted to fulfill the required science prerequisite coursework.
  
  
• Applicants who completed their prerequisite science courses less than 10 years ago are considered more competitive.
  
  
• A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all prerequisite courses.
  
  
• All science prerequisites must be completed by the end of Fall semester prior to matriculation in mid-May.
  
  
• All non-science prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation in mid-May.
  
  

Required Prerequisite Courses List

All non-science prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation.

To be eligible, applicants may have no more than two (2) required prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application.

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts directly to CASPA upon completion of any missing courses.

Applicants should submit all application materials, including official transcripts, directly to CASPA.

Official transcripts from all institutions, where coursework was completed or attempted, must be sent directly to CASPA by the issuing institutions. 

Applicants must update all in-progress coursework in the CASPA portal.

Accepted students must also submit official transcripts reflecting the completion of any previously in-progress coursework directly to NSU.

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution, either electronically or by U.S. Mail, to:

Enrollment Processing Services
Nova Southeastern University
3300 College Avenue, P.O. Box 299000                      OR                            electronictranscript@nova.edu
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004

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 or equivalent quarter hours,

• 3 semester hours must be in English Composition,
• 3 semester hours must be in English Literature, and
• 3 semester hours must be in Public Speaking (courses do not include ESOL).

The remaining nine semester hours can be any course of the applicant's choosing, excluding physical education. In addition, all other admissions requirements MUST be met.

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.

World Education Services (WES) *
P.O. Box 01-5060
Miami FL 33101
(212) 966-6311 (N.Y. Office)
Website: www.wes.org           
*Accepted by CASPA

Josef Silny & Associates
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
(305) 273-1616
(305) 273-1338 (fax)
Email: info@jsilny.org
Website: jsilny.org  

Educational Credential Evaluators*
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400
Website: ece.org
*Accepted by CASPA

Additionally, the official course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service to CASPA and to NSU at the address below:

Enrollment Processing Services
Nova Southeastern University
3300 College Avenue, P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-20044

Personal interviews are extended to the most qualified and competitive applicants.

The interview process assesses the applicant's:

• academic achievement,
• commitment to and understanding of the Physician Assistant profession, and
• non-academic attributes outlined in the CASPA application and in the section below entitled “How applicants are reviewed during the interview process”

The interview season typically runs from September through February. Interviews are by invitation only and do not guarantee admission to the program.

• Minimum cumulative GPA and science GPAs of 3.0 at the time of application.
• Successful applicants have typically had cumulative and science GPAs of 3.3 or higher

All applicants are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test through the CASPA admissions portal by January 15.

The GRE must have been taken within the past 5 years and submitted early enough for official scores to be received by CASPA no later than January 15.

The CASPA GRE code for NSU PA Programs is 6329.

If multiple GRE scores are reported to CASPA, only the most recent test scores will be considered during the admissions review process.

The NSU PA Programs consider healthcare experience as part of the holistic admissions review process. Greater consideration may be given to applicants with verifiable healthcare experience and Physician Assistant (PA) shadowing experience.

While participation in employment, leadership, volunteer service, collegiate athletics, and other extracurricular activities is not required, applicants who demonstrate meaningful engagement and achievement in these areas, particularly while maintaining full-time student status, may receive greater consideration during the admissions process.

Substitutions for, or waivers of, the required letters of recommendation are not permitted.

Two letters of recommendation are required:

• One letter from a physician assistant and
• One letter from a healthcare professional such as physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, physical therapist, or occupational therapist

Recommendations submitted by relatives, personal healthcare providers, family, or personal friends are not acceptable.

Applicants for and students enrolled in Physician Assistant programs must have abilities and skills in the areas of observation, communication, motor, intellectual/critical thinking, interpersonal, and behavioral/social attributes.  A detailed explanation of the technical standards can be found below and can be download from the following link: Technical Standards.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis. Students wishing to request accommodations for disabilities should review the information at the Student Disablity Services  page, and follow the process outlined on the Student Accommodations Request Process page, if accommodations are needed. 

Technical Standards Requirement

Observation
Applicants and students must have sufficient capacity to observe in the classroom, laboratory, and diagnostic and treatment areas of inpatient and outpatient settings. Sensory skills to perform the procedures typically provided by physician assistants in both primary care and medical specialties are required. In any case where a candidate’s or student’s ability to observe or acquire information through sensory modalities is compromised, the candidate or student must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire and demonstrate the essential information conveyed in this fashion.

Communication
Applicants and students must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and healthcare settings. Applicants and students must show evidence of effective written and oral communication skills. Applicants and students must be able to effectively communicate with patients in order to elicit and impart information.

Motor
The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures is required. Applicants and students must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to properly care for all patients. Applicants and students must be able to perform motor functions with or without assistive devices.

Intellectual
Applicants and students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of health care professionals, requires all of these intellectual abilities. Applicants and students must be able to read and understand medical literature. In order to complete the Physician Assistant program, students must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in health care problem-solving and patient care.

Interpersonal, Behavioral, and Social
Applicants and students in Physician Assistant programs must possess the emotional health and stability required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, families, and other members of the health care team is essential. The ability to function in the face of uncertainties in clinical practice, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required.

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation.
  
  
• A completed and verified  CASPA application with the following items sent directly to CASPA by January 15:
  • All official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
    • If international applicant, submit official foreign course-by-course translation with GPA calculation from  one of the approved and recommended evaluation services.
    • If international applications, proof of additional 18 credits hours in addition to all published admissions criteria.
      
      
•  Submission two letters of recommendation (no substitutions allowed):
  • one from a PA and
  • one from a healthcare professional.
    
    
•  Official GRE scores: school code 6329.