What are the admission criteria for the St. John’s University PA program?
Which prerequisites do I need to enter the St. John’s University PA program?
To view the admission criteria and minimum prerequisite course requirements for our PA program, please visit our webpage.
Program Admission Requirements
The PA program requires the following minimum requirements for eligibility for admission:
- Completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum overall grade point average (GPA) and cumulative mathematics/science GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
- Completion within five years of the following prerequisites:
- General Biology with lab (two semesters or eight credits)
- General Chemistry with lab (two semesters or eight credits)
- Microbiology (no lab required) (one semester or three credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab (two semesters or eight credits)
- Organic Chemistry with labs (two semesters)- OR Organic Chemistry with lab (one semester) + Biochemistry (with or without lab) as substitute for one Organic Chemistry course
- Behavioral Science courses (six credits) (i.e., psychology, sociology, anthropology)
- Calculus (one semester or three credits) or Statistics (one semester or three credits)
- English composition course (one semester)
Is there a specific time frame in which prerequisite courses must be completed?
Prerequisites must be completed within the past five years, unless prerequisite coursework is a component of a current degree completed within five years. As such, no prerequisite should be more than nine years old.
I have prerequisites that would be completed in the fall semester after the deadline. Can I still apply?
Yes, applicants with outstanding admissions requirements are eligible to apply. All courses in progress at time of application must be listed as in progress or planned in CASPA’s original application.
I will graduate in the spring semester. Can I apply?
Applicants whose baccalaureate degree will be conferred prior to matriculation are eligible to apply. Proof of degree conferral is required to register for classes. All classes must be completed before the start of the fall term. Summer courses in progress will be considered if a transcript is provided through CASPA that indicates coursework is in progress or planned and will be completed by the start term.
I will graduate in the summer. Can I apply?
Applicants whose degree conferral will not occur prior to the fall entry matriculation are not eligible to apply until degree conferral. All classes must be completed prior to the start of the term. Summer courses in progress will be considered if a transcript is provided through CASPA that indicates coursework is in progress and will be completed by the start term. In some instances, students with summer classes in progress might be eligible for application in the fall after degree conferral (i.e., the next application cycle).
Do you offer Advanced Standing and/or accept transfer students?
The PA program does not offer Advanced Standing or accept transfer credits from courses in other PA programs. However, the PA program does accept transfer students. All students admitted to the PA program must take all courses within their cohort. All curricular components are required for graduation and must be completed at the St. John’s University PA program.
My grade point average (GPA) is below 3.0. What should I do?
An overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum mathematics and science GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the program. We will not consider your application if your GPA does not meet the minimum requirements.
English is not my first language. What should I do?
International students must earn satisfactory TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo exam scores and supply official scores directly to the Office of Graduate Admission. The school’s official testing code is 2799.
Applicants from the following countries do not need to submit an English Language test score.
Is the GRE, MCAT, or PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admission Test) required?
No, the PA program does not require the GRE, MCAT, or PA-CAT for application to our program.