The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies encourages qualified applicants from other countries to apply to the PA Program. An F-1 student is a non-immigrant who is pursuing a “full course of study” to achieve a specific educational or professional objective, at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer courses of study to such students, and has been enrolled in SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).
All applicants to the PA Program must follow the application process as defined by the Augsburg PA Program and CASPA.
Regardless of residential status, all applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- 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.
*Course details can be found on the prerequisites page here.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WITH DEGREES FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.
Foreign Credential Evaluation
Augsburg requires foreign credential evaluation for any transcripts from an institution outside of the United States. This evaluation should include the following:
- Analysis of credentials—to determine if your degree is equivalent to an accredited U.S. Bachelor’s degree.
- Course-by-course evaluation—to show your complete course listing with credit values and grades received for each course.
- Calculation of grade point average—to demonstrate your cumulative grade point average using the standard U.S. grading system, i.e., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0.
- Translation to English (if applicable).
Refer to World Education Services for further information about transcript evaluation. Please follow the CASPA guidelines for submission of transcript evaluation documentation for the CASPA application.
English Language Proficiency
To fulfill Augsburg University’s Graduate Applicant English Language Proficiency Requirement, all applicants must provide evidence of a sufficient command of both written and spoken English. Non-native English language speakers may be exempt from this requirement and request a waiver based on the successful demonstration of one of the following (applicants may be asked to provide official documentation):
- Completion of a previous undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university within the United States.
- Completion of a previous undergraduate or graduate degree at an English-speaking college or university in any country where English is the sole or dominant language.
- Completion of one academic year of transferable college level English courses (e.g.: English 101 and English 102) at a college or university within the United States, with equivalent grades of a B or higher.
Outside of the waiver able exemptions listed above, prospective international graduate students may demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Minimum score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with a sub-score of 20 on the written and 20 on the speaking sections. (The Augsburg University TOEFL code is 6014.)
- Score of 8.5 or better on the TOEFL Essentials exam.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Score report of 6.5.
- Duolingo English Exam
- Score of 105.
- Minnesota English Language Program (MELP): Successful completion of all required Level 4: High-Advanced ESL classes. Completed coursework must be documented by MELP and sent directly to Augsburg University. Students should contact their MELP advisor to request an English Proficiency Letter.
Score reports must be sent to Augsburg directly from the testing center. Score reports must be for exams completed within the last two years. Please contact your Admissions representative to inquire about any tests not reflected here.
CERTIFICATION OF FINANCES
In order to review your application for admission and process your Form I-20, the following documents must be received:
- Completed Augsburg Certification of Finances form
- Proof of funding as demonstrated by supporting financial documents (such as bank statements – current within three months; Government Support Letter, etc…)
- Copy of the first page your passport
- Students with current F-1 status through another university in the United States: You will need to have your SEVIS record transferred from your current institution to Augsburg. The SEVIS Transfer form must be completed by you and your Designated School Official. You will need to present your Augsburg letter of admissions to the DSO when submitting your transfer request. This form may be returned to Augsburg by e-mail.