University of Charleston

University of Charleston

Maria Uribe Testimonial

The Traditional Admission Pathway is for applicants who will have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university by the time they matriculate into the UC PA Program.

Applicants submit their application through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants CASPA.

A Traditional Application will be reviewed only after all of the following requirements are met:

  • CASPA-verified status must be obtained by September 1st.
  • Overall CASPA-defined GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
    • Applicants with a GPA between 2.95–2.99 may be considered if enrolled in additional coursework that could raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0.

 

  • Two references must be submitted in CASPA by September 1st.
    • We strongly encourage one letter of recommendation from a healthcare provider (MD, DO, or PA) and the other letter from an academic instructor.

 

  • Official GRE scores must be submitted in CASPA by September 15th.
    • Our CASPA-specific GRE code is 8830.
    • While GRE scores contribute to the overall strength of an application, there is no minimum GRE score requirement.

 

  • Official TOEFL scores (if applicable) must be submitted in CASPA by September 15th for applicants whose primary language is not English, unless waived by the program.
    • The TOEFL can be waived if the applicant earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
    • Should the Admissions Committee deem that the applicant has not demonstrated English proficiency, the applicant will be asked to take and submit an official TOEFL score to be further considered for a seat in the program.
    • Minimum accepted TOEFL scores:
      • Paper-Based Test (PBT): 550 or higher
      • Internet-Based Test (IBT): 80 or higher
    • If the minimum scores are met and the applicant demonstrates a deficiency in written or verbal communication, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to no longer consider the applicant for a seat in the program.

 

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities must be included in CASPA.
  • International transcript evaluation (if applicable):
    • Applicants with international coursework and/or degrees must submit an official National Association of Credential Evaluation Services agency (NACES ←click here) evaluation in CASPA by September 1st.
    • S. territories: No evaluation required if transcripts are in English.
    • Canadian Institutions: Evaluation required by a NACES agency.

Once all required materials have been received, applications will be reviewed in accordance with the program’s Admission Policy. Interview invitations will be extended to the strongest candidates.

Conditional seat offers can be made as long as the following are completed, in progress, or have a feasible plan for completion by matriculation:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or Higher:
    • A U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent international degree per NACES evaluation.
    • If not yet earned, include a feasible written plan in the UC PA supplemental CASPA section.

 

  • Prerequisites:
    • Indicate prerequisites in the Program Materials section of CASPA.
    • The program will verify if courses meet requirements.
    • Upper-level or equivalent courses may be considered.
    • If prerequisites are incomplete, submit a feasible plan to complete them by matriculation.
    • Prerequisites must be taken from a regionally accredited college or university. Courses from Portage Learning, StraighterLine, or Sophia Online Learning are not accepted.

 

  • International Prerequisites (if applicable):
    • Upload English-written syllabi for international prerequisite courses to the CASPA Document Section.
    • The program will determine if these courses meet requirements.
    • The program reserves the right to not accept international prerequisites.

Required Prerequisite CoursesDescription

A letter grade of a “C” or better is required for all Traditional Admission applicants.
Length
Human Anatomy*
Must be a "Human” natural science major course. Comparative, vertebrate, introductory, and non-science major courses will not be accepted. Must be completed within 10 years prior to matriculation. Lab required.

*Human A&P I with a lab for natural science majors can satisfy this requirement.

1 semester (4-credit minimum, includes lab)
Human Physiology*Must be a "Human” natural science major course. Comparative, vertebrate, introductory, and non-science major courses will not be accepted. Must be completed within 10 years prior to matriculation. Lab required.

*Human A&P II with a lab for natural science majors can satisfy this requirement.
1 semester (4-credit minimum, includes lab)
General BiologyA General Biology course with a lab for natural science majors. Introductory courses and courses for non-science majors will not be accepted. A lab is required.1 semester (4-credit minimum, includes lab)
MicrobiologyA General or Medical Microbiology course for natural science majors. Introductory and non-science major courses will not be accepted. Lab recommended.1 semester (3-credit minimum, lab not required but strongly recommended)
ChemistryTwo General Chemistry courses for natural science majors. Upper-level Chemistries and Biochemistry will be accepted. Introductory and non-science major courses will not be accepted. Lab required.

2 semester (8-credit minimum, includes lab)
Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry I for natural science majors. Introductory and non-science major courses will not be accepted. Organic Chemistry II and the lab will not fill this requirement. Lab required.1 semester (4-credit minimum, includes lab)
StatisticsAny statistics course directed towards an understanding of foundational statistics.

1 semester (3-credit minimum)
Psychology Introductory, developmental, and abnormal psychology courses are accepted.

1 semester (3-credit minimum)
Medical TerminologyWhile not required, a 1-3 credit course is strongly recommended. Admitted applicants will be required to take a medical terminology proficiency exam the first week of classes.
Biochemistry While not required, at least one semester with a lab is strongly recommended.
Calculus While not required, at least one semester is strongly recommended.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions in the Frequently Asked Questions section.