Admission Requirements

The ISU PA Program does not award or grant advanced placement. The Physician Assistant curriculum is a progressive immersion experience and each class of students is expected to move through the curriculum as a cohort.

Admission and Enrollment practices that favor specified individuals or groups:

In 2020, the Physician Assistant Program received a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase the recruitment of PA students who intend to work and live in rural areas after PA school. The Early Assurance Program was created for Idaho State University and College of Idaho undergraduate students during their junior and senior years to prepare them for admittance to the ISU Physician Assistant Program. Post-baccalaureate students from ISU are also welcome to apply. Each recipient will receive academic guidance and professional mentorship from faculty and alumni. Recipients are also offered a seat in the PA program upon successful completion of the EAP award requirements. Learn more about the Early Assurance Program.

1. Baccalaureate Degree

A Baccalaureate degree needs to be completed by June 30th of the year you plan to enter the PA Studies program. It must be from a regionally accredited U.S. institute of higher learning.

2. Prerequisite Courses

Required courses must also be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institute of higher learning. The required prerequisite courses are:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Human Anatomy (as a single course or as part of a two semester combined anatomy and physiology course)
• Human Physiology (as a single course or as part of a two semester combined anatomy and physiology course)
• Statistics
• Abnormal Psychology (or Developmental Psychology throughout the Lifespan)

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 as well as a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses (listed above). Course work ten years or older is not accepted as prerequisite coursework. All prerequisites must be completed and posted to official transcripts by June 30th of the year you plan to enter the program.

First-time applicants to the program may have two prerequisite courses in progress during spring of the year they plan to enter the program.

Re-applicants must have ALL prerequisites completed and have NO prerequisites in-progress at the time of re-application.

If you are concerned about a course meeting our prerequisites, please check our FAQs.

List of Idaho State University courses that meet the prerequisite requirements

List of College of Idaho courses that meet the prerequisite requirements

3. Central Application Service for Physician Assistants

As part of the CASPA application process you will be required to submit:

• three letters of recommendation,
• official transcripts from all institutions attended,
• a personal statement,
• academic history,
• and your work/shadow/volunteer experience.

The CASPA application must be submitted by November 1st.

4. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

The GRE is an important admission requirement as the scores are used for ranking applicants. Please go to ETS website for information about testing locations and scheduling the exam.

The GRE General Test must be taken by November 1. The ISU GRE School Code is 4355 and the Department Code is 0634.

5. ISU Graduate School Application

The ISU Graduate School application (also called the "Supplemental Application") is required for admission to the PA program. When applying to the Graduate School, select the Fall semester. Please refer to the ISU Graduate School for information regarding the application, requirements, and fees. Admission requirements for international applicants may be found in the Graduate Catalog.

The Graduate School application requires uploading transcripts. Follow the instructions given within the application in regards to what kind of transcripts and how to upload them.

At the time of application, transcripts submitted through the Graduate School application may be unofficial, however certain features must be present for them to be accepted, including: The student's name, the institution's wordmark or logo in the header, courses, credits, terms, grades, and the date(s) of any awarded degrees.

Students will be required to send the Graduate School a set of official transcripts from all institutions attended only after the student has been accepted to the program.

The Graduate School application deadline is November 1.

6. Technical Standards & Immunizations

All entering students must meet the required list of standards and must have the required immunizations as stated on the Immunizations Form. This includes timely documentation of compliance and submission of required paperwork. All immunizations are required by June 30th of the year a student enters the Program.

If immunization requirements are not met by the June 30th date, a student will not be permitted to participate in required didactic year clinical experiences or service learning activities, registration may be held, and in severe cases an offer may be rescinded. Exceptions must be requested in writing by email no later than June 30th, and must include planned dates for completion of any outstanding immunizations.

Dropboxes for submitting documentation are given if an applicant is invited for an interview.