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Admissions

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

We love to hear from proactive applicants who have already done their research! Before contacting us via email or phone about program admission requirements, please thoroughly read all of the information below. We receive a large number of inquiries, many of which can be answered by reading this website.

 

boxes first box reads "may 1st application cycle opens" second box reads "august 1st Application submission deadline!" third box reads "September - November Interviews & decisions" fourth box reads "Februrary 1st prerequisites & degree deadline" last box reads "1st week in may classes begin!"

 

APPLICATION CYCLE OPENS MAY 1

Augsburg PA Program utilizes the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and the Augsburg PA Supplemental Application as a part of our admissions process.

START BY:

  • Applying through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applications to the Augsburg PA Program must be processed through CASPA, following all guidelines and regulations set forth by the application service.
    • CASPA charges $179 for the first program you apply to and $56 for each additional program. CASPA offers a limited number of fee waivers to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. More information can be found here: CASPA FEE WAIVER
  • Complete the supplemental application to Augsburg University via our Supplemental Application. You must submit your $50.00 application fee for your application to be considered complete.
    • If you have any questions or issues with the Augsburg Supplemental Application or fee, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 612-330-1101 or gradinfo@augsburg.edu.

Augsburg University PA Program does not require the PA-CAT, GRE, MCAT, CASPER or other graduate standardized admissions testing.

DEADLINES

AUGUST 1st- CASPA Application status must be “complete” or “verified” and Augsburg supplemental application is due. CASPA submissions, supplemental applications and/or fees received after that date will not be considered.

FEBRUARY 1st- Matriculation (starting the program) is contingent upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree and all prerequisite courses. Failure to complete will result in forfeiting your seat and deposit.

 

INTERVIEWS IN SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

As the committee completes application review, candidates are selected for an interview. Interviews are generally conducted from September-November. Candidates are invited to campus to meet program faculty, staff, current students, and to tour the facilities. Interviews are an opportunity for us to learn more about applicants and for applicants to learn more about the program, our primary care focus, mission, and culture.

As interviews are completed, seats in the incoming class are offered. The cohort class will be filled between October and May. A list of alternates will be made and selected to fill seats that accepted candidates may not claim.

Classes begin the first week of May.


MINIMUM CRITERIA

The two-step application will be reviewed by the Admission Committee if you have:

  • Completed Central Application Service for PA’s (CASPA) and Augsburg University Supplemental Application and fees, due August 1st at the latest.
    • 3 letters of recommendation from health professional and academic references.
    • Augsburg supplemental application and essays
  • Completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, by February 1st of the matriculation year.
  • Cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher (as calculated by CASPA).
  • Science GPA must be 3.0 or higher (as calculated by CASPA).
  • Completed 2000 hours of direct, paid patient care experience
  • Completion of all prerequisite courses* by February 1st of the matriculation year. Prerequisite course grades should be a B or better.

*Course details can be found on the prerequisites page here.


ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS PREFERENCES

Augsburg PA gives preference to applicants who demonstrate a strong match to our mission and who meet any of the following characteristics:

  • Minnesota residents
  • Augsburg graduates (those who have completed an undergraduate degree)
  • Re-applicants who have:
    • Improved their science GPA (improved by at least 0.2 after meeting the minimum requirement of 3.0)
    • Diversified or increased their patient care experience
  • Military Service (honorably discharged veterans and active military)
  • HRSA economic indicators from the CASPA application:

COMPETITIVE APPLICATIONS

In addition to meeting all of the eligibility requirements at the time of application, competitive applicants typically demonstrate many of the following characteristics:

    • Success in upper-level science coursework (grade of B or better)
      • In general, upper level courses are listed in the 200-400 course range and help better prepare applicants for the rigorous course load experienced during the program. Examples include: anatomy, biomedical ethics, cell biology, immunology, genetics, health policy, sociology, and research methods.
    • More than 2,000 hours of paid, direct, hands-on clinical care of an individual/patient.
      • Examples include: athletic trainer, nurse, certified nursing assistant, clinical researcher, community health worker/health educator, dental hygienist, EMT, laboratory/medical technician, medical assistant, medical interpreter, mental health worker, military medic, paramedic, patient care assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, respiratory therapist, radiology technician, scribe.
    • Consistent commitment and service to marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented populations through volunteering, civic, and community engagement.
    • Motivation for and in-depth understanding of the PA profession and role.
      • This can be demonstrated through shadowing, working with and/or interviewing PAs from various specialties.
    • Reflect on past experiences, learn from them, and move forward.
      • Example: retaking a course for a better grade or seeking a different type of patient care experience or volunteer opportunities.
    • Strong letters of recommendation (two from an employer/colleague (a clinical professional reference) and one letter be from a professor or adviser (an academic reference).
      • Letter writers that are able to tell the committee about a candidate’s ability to work on a team, their work ethic, interaction with colleagues and patients, and overall observations and potential to become an Augsburg PA.
        *Do not have a family member or personal acquaintance write your letters of recommendation.

For any questions about the application requirements or our mission statement that can’t be found here or on the prerequisites page, email us at paprog@augsburg.edu and we will get back to you as soon as we can.


REQUIRED TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ENROLLMENT

Accepted candidates must complete and pass a background check prior to matriculation. Background checks will be repeated several times during the clinical phase as well. PA students who do not pass a background check will not be allowed to proceed to clinical rotation sites and may be dismissed from the program. Technical Standards for Enrollment click here: Technical Standards for the PA Program

 

PA ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT
$1,000 In 2 scheduled payments (non-refundable)

The enrollment deposit is required of all new PA students after acceptance and is credited to the student’s account to be applied to their first-semester tuition. This deposit confirms your acceptance and secures your seat in the cohort.


PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE

Our curriculum meets updated educational requirements for Professional licensure as a Physician Assistant in all 50 states. Learn more about this requirement on Augsburg University’s Professional License Disclosure page.


*COVID-19 UPDATE: for applicants to the class starting in May 2023

  1. Augsburg PA will accept Pass (P), Satisfactory (S) or the equivalent for required prerequisite coursework taken in the Spring and Summer of 2020.
  2. Due to ‘stay at home orders’ and other COVID-19 related issues, applicants may have difficulty meeting the recommended shadowing, volunteer and direct patient care hours. We understand these challenges and will continue to consider applications fairly and holistically.
  3. CASPA will give you the opportunity to discuss how COVID-19 has impacted your application. Should you choose to answer this question, Augsburg PA will review it as part of our holistic approach. Answering this question is optional.
  4. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all incoming PA students.
  5. COVID-19 resource page