Physician Assistant Studies

Thank you for your interest in the Springfield College Physician Assistant Studies graduate program!

There are two tracks to entering the professional phase of the PA program, outlined below:

1. Undergraduate Pre-PA track
   • The majority of our 40-student cohort enters the professional phase through the undergraduate Pre-PA track. Preference for admission is given for these students as long as they have met all of the program requirements.
2. Graduate Admission
   • This cycle, we will be looking to fill 15 seats with graduate applicants.

For consideration, applicants must meet all of the program prerequisites:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• An overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
• A prerequisite course (science/math) GPA of at least 3.0.
• The following prerequisite courses must have been successfully completed and hold a grade of C+ (2.3) or higher:
  • General Chemistry I and II with labs (eight credits)
  • Biology I and II* with labs (eight credits). *Other advanced biology courses (200 level or higher) will be accepted in place of Biology II.
  • Pre-Calculus (three credits) or Calculus
• The following prerequisite courses must have been successfully completed within the last 10 years and hold a grade of C+ (2.3) or higher:
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (eight credits)
  • Microbiology (three credits)
  • Organic Chemistry I with lab (four credits)
  • Biochemistry (three credits)
  • Statistics (three credits)
• Meet Program Technical Standards.
• Meet Healthcare Experience (HCE) and PA Shadowing Requirements:
  • The Springfield College PA Program requires applicants to have completed a minimum of 500 hours of healthcare experience (HCE), with at least 30 of these hours dedicated to shadowing a PA. HCE hours of 1,500 or more are preferred.
  • By gaining experience in a healthcare setting, applicants develop an enhanced understanding of what a career in medicine involves and can make a more informed decision about entering the profession. Experiences involving meaningful interaction with patients, as well as direct patient care, are accepted. This work may be paid or unpaid.
  • Documentation from the supervisor or PA shadowed must be signed and provided on official letterhead.
    • Documentation must include the applicant's name, a description of their role in patient care, the number of hours completed, the supervisor's name and credentials, and a signature.

All documentation must be submitted by the closing date of the cycle. Completed applications are preferred, but applicants may still apply if coursework or a degree is in progress. We accept credit from any regionally accredited two- or four-year institution, including online credit from any regionally accredited institution. Adherence to the Technical Standards is required for admission. Please note that this program does not offer advanced placement for any student.

Additional considerations for candidates that are alumnus of Springfield College or have personal connection to the college, and those that show alignment with the program values: 

• Our program seeks individuals who embody the principles of integrity and professionalism: those who are ethical, accountable, and committed to achieving excellence in their endeavors. We value diverse perspectives and are dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds who champion equity and mutual respect.
• We are looking for leaders and community-minded individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact, exemplifying compassion, service, and responsibility. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability and resilience, thriving in dynamic environments and navigating challenges with determination and a growth mindset.
• Additionally, we value applicants who excel in teamwork and interpersonal communication, contributing to a collaborative atmosphere through effective, empathetic, and constructive engagement with others.

Applications for this program will only be accepted through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Apply through CASPA: Completed applications and all requirements below must be submitted through CASPA.

1. Writing Sample
    
2. CV/Resume
    
3. Three letters of recommendation
    
4. Transcripts
    
5. Health care experience and shadowing documentation
    
6. Interview: This program requires an interview for selected finalists

In addition to the above admissions requirements, all international applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to submit the following directly to CASPA:

• Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS: Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
   
• Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

Application Deadline: 

Graduate applications for the cohort beginning in January 2028 will open in CASPA on Monday, October 19, 2026, and close on Thursday, April 1, 2027. Materials received after April 1, 2027 will not be accepted.