Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta University does not provide unofficial transcript evaluations. Students should use the Transfer Equivalency Guide to best determine how their credits will transfer, as well as reviewing the PA Program Admissions Requirements.

Please login to your application to check your status here: Applicant Status Check. It will show you what has been received and what is still missing/needed. Missing transcripts should be mailed to the Office of Academic Admissions. If you need to update your references and are unable to do so online, please contact the Office of Academic Admissions at (706) 737-1632.

Here is a link to help you see what courses should transfer from your undergraduate studies: Transfer Equivalency Guide.

Our online application cycle generally begins July 1 with a deadline of October 15. (Example: July 1, 2022 with deadline of October 15, 2022 for entry May 2023)

Please apply online. Special links will be emailed to the people you designate for your references. Updates to your shadowing and volunteer hours should be emailed to the PA Program. Transcripts should be sent to the Office of Academic Admissions.

Keep a log noting who you shadowed, the date, the time (to and from), the name of the clinic or practice and the address/phone number.

The prerequisites for the MPA degree can be found here: Requirements.

Our program begins in May and ends 27 months later in August.

The online application usually opens up July 1st of each year with a deadline of October 15th of the same year to receive all application materials. Applicants in progress must ensure all required materials (which include your personal statement, 3 letters of reference, official school transcripts and GRE scores) to complete the application have been received by October 15th of each year to the Office of Academic Admissions. Do NOT send application materials to the Physician Assistant Department. Interviews are scheduled as completed applications are received, so early application is encouraged.

We use an evaluation system that is based on the overall undergraduate grade point average, transfer grade point average, math/science grade point average, and work experience in the medical field in order to determine who is qualified for further consideration and a personal interview. After the initial screening of the application you may or may not be qualified for a personal interview. Once the interview is completed, we then also include an evaluation of the quality of references, writing ability, personal interview and an overall assessment of the application by several members of the admissions committee.

We try to interview between 100 and 150 applicants for the 44 program spaces.

Yes, we do accept out of state residents.

Augusta University requires that you have at least three references for admissions. We require at least one of your references be provided by a physician assistant who has seen you in action with patients or in a volunteer capacity. More weight is given to references that are provided by individuals who have observed your interactions with people in a clinical setting.

Yes, a minimum combined GRE score of 290 is needed for full admission. The results of all three components (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) of the general GRE exam must be provided. GRE scores dated within the last 5 years will be acceptable. Test results must be received in Academic Admissions by October 15th.

We require a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and a 3.0 in your math/science courses for the PA program. However, due to competition, the previous classes have averaged a GPA of 3.5 both overall and in math/science coursework.

It will be a disadvantage for you since it will affect your GPA, although it will not eliminate you from consideration provided you have successfully completed all of the prerequisite courses at a grade of "C" or higher. We include all college courses in calculating your overall undergraduate and math/science GPA.

We do look at the overall trend and definitely take that into consideration when we evaluate your application, especially if you have returned to school and have done well with a significant course load. You will need to be more competitive in other areas such as experience and references. However, your overall GPA will still reflect your entire academic career and must meet the minimum 3.0 requirement.

While it is not necessary, and usually will not increase your chance to be admitted (unless your previous grades were poor) it still may be beneficial to have taken several other science courses. We always recommend that you apply to more than one PA program. Successful completion of a course in human anatomy and physiology contributes to successful completion of the courses you will be taking here at Augusta University.

No, but it would be helpful for you to review areas that would be appropriate for our program such as anatomy/physiology and your chemistries.

No, but applicants who have completed the majority of their core courses are more competitive. We like to see applicants within 1 or 2 courses of completing prerequisites.

We want to be assured that you have adequately explored the entire field of physician assistant and are certain of your career choice. We also have found it to be extremely helpful for students in our program to have some experience in the medical field. This helps us to determine your abilities to work in a patient care area and gives us information about your potential for success in a clinical setting.

We prefer that you have direct patient contact in a variety of clinical or patient care settings. If most of your experience has been in another type of health care setting such as nursing, you still need to spend enough time in a patient care area in order to demonstrate that you have adequately explored the field of physician assistant. We prefer that you spend time in a variety of clinical settings such as rehabilitation, acute care, emergency medicine or pediatrics rather than observing just one type of practice setting. You can work as a CNA, CMA, Medical Scribe, EMT or Paramedic. You could also volunteer at a hospital, doctor's office, blood bank or at any free clinics to gain experience.

No. For example, if you work with a PA as a MA, we do not consider this PA shadowing. PA shadowing is a separate experience where you spend time observing a PA in their clinical setting outside of your working hours. We strongly recommend shadowing different PAs in a minimum of 3 different clinical settings.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official TOEFL and TSE-P scores. A minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL and a minimum score of 50 on the TSE-P is required. The TSE-A exam scores will not be accepted. Applicants must take both the TOEFL and TSE-P no later than October 15th in order to be considered for admission for the class admitted the following year.

*Exemption from the TOEFL requirement is allowed for graduate students who submit proof of earning a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university at which English is the language of instruction.

No. At this time we only offer a full-time program.

We strongly discourage our students from working while in school. Our program is very demanding. Classes generally meet all day Monday through Friday with homework assignments that fill evening and weekend hours. We cannot prohibit you from working while in school, but most students find it extremely difficult. At times working has been the major factor in academic failure which resulted in dismissal. The Office of Financial Aid is very helpful in finding alternative resources. There are also many companies that will provide financial assistance in return for a specified amount of time spent working at that facility. You will need to identify these resources and treat them as you would any employment contract by determining your willingness to work at their facility, assessing the terms involved and comparing it to other opportunities. It is our policy that students may not work within the program while enrolled as a student.

Offers of acceptance are extended by electronic letter via the application portal throughout the interview season to selected candidates.

We often have more qualified applicants than places in the class. Some qualified applicants may be placed on an alternate list. If an accepted applicant withdraws, an alternate may be contacted to fill that position.

There is no advanced placement, transfer of credit (except for the 90 semester hours of prerequisites at an accredited college or university) or credit for experiential learning allowed. Previous medical professions course work will not be accepted toward completion of the MPA degree. It is important that our students are exposed to specific course content. To ensure this, only courses taught within our curriculum are accepted for credit toward graduation.