Admissions & pre-requisites

All application cycles will open in April and will be via the CASPA system. The application can be accessed at: https://portal.caspaonline.org/ and must be submitted before September 1 every year. In addition to the CASPA application the NAU Graduate College application is also required and must be submitted before September 1 as well. This application can be accessed at: https://www.applyweb.com/apply/northazg. Evaluation by CASPA could take up to 6 weeks. Interviews will be offered to applicants based upon evaluation by the faculty.  An in-person interview is required to be considered for admission to the program. In most cases, the program offers multiple interview dates to candidates to enable them to make reasonable travel arrangements.  The program will likely admit some candidates early in the evaluation process and others not until December or January.

The most qualified candidates will be invited for an on-site interview. The on-site interview is required for assessment of each candidate’s interpersonal and communication skills, one of the six major physician assistant competencies. One-day interviews will be scheduled approximately every three weeks beginning in September through early January. The program will work with those individuals invited for an interview to help minimize their travel expenses.

Admission requirements – Read about pre-requisites, recommended coursework, and preference factors.

Technical standards – These are the abilities and expectations you should possess coming into this program.

1. Submit both CASPA and NAU applications by the September 1 deadline (CASPA verified no later than December 1)
2. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
3. A minimum of an earned bachelor’s or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution OR equivalent*
4. Overall and science course GPA of 3.0 or higher (CASPA calculation)
5. Complete prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution
6. Minimum of 9 credits of science courses completed in the last 5 years
7. A minimum of 500 hours of health care experience is required. Both volunteer and paid experiences are acceptable.
8. Three letters of reference/recommendation (CASPA submission only)

*If the degree was earned outside the U.S., applicants must:

1. Submit official transcripts in the language of instruction and an official English translation evaluated by either WES or ECE to the NAU Graduate College and to CASPA no later than September 1. WES or ECE evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
2. Complete prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution.
3. Demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL scores with a minimum score of 100 on the iBT (internet-based testing) and a minimum of 26 on the speaking component.

All prerequisite courses, completion of minimum requirements, and submission of official transcripts must occur on or before the September 1 application deadline. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree must be completed and/or conferred prior to matriculation. The program does not waive any prerequisite requirements.

The university publishes a non-discriminatory policy in compliance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 and consistent with federal and state statuses, rules, and regulations. Additionally, in accordance with the PA program mission and goals, the program will give preference to applicants who indicate a high potential for remaining in the state of Arizona to work following graduation as well as individuals from targeted populations defined by our HRSAa Primary Care Training Grant. This included individuals who are first generation college students, economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, underrepresented populations, military veterans, and those from rural backgrounds.

Questions regarding the minimum requirements for admission should be sent to PAprog@nau.edu. Any questions regarding prerequisite coursework and equivalency sent to the program will not be answered without first completing our Prerequisite Inquiry Form. Please review all prerequisite equivalency lists available on our website (Arizona schools only) and the FAQs on our website before submitting your inquiry.

Following completion and submission of the CASPA application, you must complete the NAU Graduate College application including:

1. Application fee

Following submission of the application, you will receive an email notification that your application has been successfully submitted.  If you do not receive this notice, please contact the Graduate College.  Please do not contact the PA Program office to verify that we have received it.  The email notification is adequate assurance.

No additional documents or updates (transcripts, letters of reference, documentation of additional work experience) will be accepted by NAU after the applications are submitted. The only exception is the official transcript documenting degree completion per NAU Graduate College admission requirements.

If the degree was earned outside the U.S., applicants must:

1. Submit official transcripts in the language of instruction and an official English translation evaluated by either WES or ECE to the NAU Graduate College and to CASPA no later than September 1. WES or ECE evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
2. Complete prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution.
3. Demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL scores with a minimum score of 100 on the iBT (internet-based testing) and a minimum of 26 on the speaking component.

Please view the complete list of minimum requirements.