PA Fast Track Admission Pathway

The PA Fast Track application is available to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled full time at the University of Charleston and who have less than 30 credit hours from other institutions.

University of Charleston Fast Track Timeline Overview

Step 1: Apply to UC for your undergraduate studies ideally right after high school graduation.

Step 2: After you are admitted to UC, let your UC Advisor know that you intend to apply to the UC PA Program as a Fast Track applicant.

Step 3: Submit your UC PA Fast Track application anytime after your first semester at UC. The typical PA Fast Track student will enter the PA program in the spring semester of their junior year. Applications will be considered for interviews from May 1st to September 1st for a January start date the following year.

Note: Fast Track students cannot have more than 30 college credits from other institutions.

What is the benefit to being a Fast Track Applicant?

• The PA Fast Track is designed for high achieving UC students.
• Fact Track students can enter the PA Program prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree.

• Fast Track applicants can earn a Master’s Degree in 5 years at UC.
• Fast Track applicants are guaranteed an interview with the PA Program if they are meeting academic requirements (see next section).

• The Fast Track application is free.
• Fast Track students do not have to pay to apply to the program through CASPA.
• Fast Track students do not have to take the GRE.
• Fast Track students are invited to attend select PA events to learn about the PA career and the UC PA Program.

• Fast Track students can meet with the UC PA Admissions Coordinator for application and interview tips.

 

Fast Track Academic Requirements

• An applicant can have no more than 30 transfer credits on their transcript from other universities or colleges.

• A 3.75 or higher cumulative undergraduate GPA is required.
• A 3.50 or higher undergraduate science GPA is required.
• A grade of “A” in anatomy and physiology courses is required.
• A grade of “B” or better in all other prerequisite courses and labs is required.
• Applicants must submit a standardized test: GRE, ACT, or SAT (no minimum score is required).

 

Note: Prerequisite courses do not need to be completed at time of application, but there must be a feasible plan outlined on the application to complete the required courses prior to the program start date for which the application is being made. Applicants who meet the above requirements on their application are guaranteed an interview.

Fast Track Seat Offers

Fast Track students who are offered a seat in the PA Program need to meet the following requirements prior to the program start date for which the seat offer is made:

• Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75.
• Maintenance of a science GPA of at least 3.50.
• Completion of at least 91 semester hours of undergraduate coursework.
• A grade of “A” in anatomy and physiology courses.
• A grade of “B” or better in all other Fast Track prerequisite courses and labs.

 

Fast Track Application Process

Step 1: Account Registration: Through the UC eConnections portal, applicants complete a registration form to create an account. Before proceeding past
the registration page, applicants will be required to check a box signifying acknowledgment that important admissions-related information has been made available to them.

Step 2: Completing The Application: Applicants are required to complete the following sections prior to submitting their application:

• Academics: If an applicant has attended any other 2-year or 4- year higher-learning institution since their admissions to UC, they must request official transcripts be sent directly from those institutions to the UC PA Admissions Coordinator at jeanettebane@ucwv.edu. The UC PA Admissions Coordinator will retrieve UC transcripts.

• Official Test Scores: Applicants can choose to submit either an ACT, SAT, or GRE score report. Only one score report needs to be submitted.
  • To submit an official GRE score report:
    • Log in to your ETS account
    • Enter the UC GRE-Specific Code: 5419
  • To submit an official SAT score report:
    • Log in to your College Board account
    • Enter the UC SAT-Specific Code: 5419
  • To submit an official ACT score report:
    • Log in to your ACT account
    • Enter the UC ACT-Specific Code: 4528
• Non-Academic Records: Health Care Experience, Social Engagement, and a Personal Narrative.
• Two (2) References: We strongly recommend one reference from a healthcare provider (MD, DO, PA). The other reference must be from a UC instructor.

 

Step 3: Specify Matriculation Year: Applicants must specify the year they plan to matriculate on the application. If the applicant is accepted but unable to complete matriculation requirements prior to the year they specified, then the
applicant forfeits his or her seat and will have to reapply.

Step 4: Application Submission: Applicants will submit their applications through the eConnection portal. There is no application fee for students applying through the Fast Track pathway.

Fast Track Seat Offer Revocation

A fast track seat offer can be revoked if:

• An applicant does not respond to an email within 2 weeks.
• An applicant provides inaccurate information.
• The program observes unprofessional behaviors prior to the start of the program.
• An applicant misses the seat deposit deadline.
• An applicant misses the deadline to submit post-acceptance requirements.
• An applicant cannot meet financial obligations to the university.
• An applicant does not maintain the required cumulative or science GPAs.
• An applicant does not successfully complete at least 91 credit hours prior to the program start date.

 

Fast Track FAQs

What does it mean if you are offered a seat in the PA Program via the PA Program Fast Track Pathway?

If you are offered a seat in the PA Program via the PA Program Fast Track Pathway, the program will hold a seat for you as long as you continue to meet minimum admissions requirements as set forth in your acceptance letter. Documentation of meeting all
requirements will be required prior to matriculation.

When is the $1,000 nonrefundable seat deposit due if selected for the PA Program Fast Track Pathway?

The timeline for seat deposits is the same for all admission pathways. See the official admission policy for exact due dates.

What is the timeline from the beginning of the undergraduate curriculum to the completion of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree?

The typical PA Fast Track student will enter the PA program in the Spring semester of their junior year. Entering at that time will take five years from the freshman year to a MPAS degree. Matriculating past that point in the undergraduate studies would
take longer than five years. You may choose to apply to the program at any point during  your undergraduate studies after the first semester.

What is my undergraduate major as a PA Fast Track Student?

You are designated as a PA Fast Track Student and placed in the Biology Program for advising and guidance as you complete your requirements to matriculate into the UC PA Program. You technically do not have an undergraduate major since you are working
toward entering the master level program prior to the completion of an undergraduate degree. Once you successfully complete the UC PA Program, you will earn a MPAS degree.

Can I earn a bachelor degree in addition to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree? If so, does it have to be a Biology degree?

Yes, you have an option to earn a bachelor degree by choosing to apply for a later matriculation date. You can choose a later matriculation date (i.e., spring of senior year, or the spring following your senior year) and earn a traditional bachelor degree
of your choice. The degree that aligns closest with the PA Program’s prerequisites is a Biology degree. However, students can choose other majors, as long as they complete the required program prerequisite courses and other stated requirements, as well
as the requirements of their chosen undergraduate major. The department you are assigned to for advising will match the traditional bachelor’s degree you choose to pursue.

Do Fast Track applicants need a bachelor degree to matriculate into the UC PA Program?

No, PA Fast Track Admission Pathway students are not required to earn a bachelor degree prior to matriculation.

Is it possible to be a PA student and a Presidential Scholar?

You cannot participate in both at the same time. When a student matriculates into the PA Program, they are in class from Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The rigors of the program will not allow for any extra coursework.

NOTE: The student may choose a later matriculation date for the PA Program in order to complete the Presidential Scholarship program.
What are the advantages of applying to the PA Program via the Fast Track Admission Pathway?

Earning a seat in any physician assistant program is extremely competitive. UC Fast Track students who are meeting minimum admission requirements are guaranteed an interview. They have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree within 5 years of matriculating
as a freshman, if they enter the PA Program in their junior year. In addition, Fast Track students do not have to pay to apply to the program through CASPA. Fast Track students do not have to have a bachelor’s degree prior to  matriculation. Fast Track
students also have access to one-on-one counseling with the PA Program Admissions Coordinator upon request.

Do I need to submit GRE results?

Not necessarily. Fast Track applicants only need to submit one standardized test score report. The options are to submit either an official ACT, SAT, or GRE score.

Where can I find other frequently asked questions (FAQs)?

You can find answers to other frequently asked questions in the FAQs section.