The Admissions Committee has established policies that include the selection of applicants best qualified to serve the public and the profession in the years to come. Many factors are considered in selecting students for our program, including:

  • academic performance*
  • motivation
  • extracurricular activities and interests
  • related and unrelated work experience
  • personal achievements
  • essays
  • letters of evaluation
  • communication skills, including a demonstrated command of the English language, both written and oral

*When evaluating academic performance, the applicant’s grade point averages, performance in prerequisite courses, number of college science credits completed each semester, major type (Biology/Chemistry/Physics major), degree status and accrued hours of direct patient care and shadowing experience are taken into consideration.

Priority consideration in the admissions selection process is given to the following
applicants:

  • Those from affiliated institutions who have met established minimum
    requirements (Click here for additional information regarding the criteria for each
    affiliated institution)
  • Those who have taken three or more science courses per semester
    Those who maintain a Biology/Chemistry/Physics GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Those with an increasing number of hours for direct patient care beyond the
    minimum requirement
  • Those who have been a prior healthcare professional
  • Those who have shadowed licensed physician assistants across various
    disciplines

Applicants who have successfully completed the Salus Post-baccalaureate in Health Sciences Certificate Program and who have met all minimum prerequisites for admission will be afforded the opportunity to interview and be considered in the general applicant pool. Please note: To successfully complete the Post-baccalaureate certificate, students must complete 25 credits while maintaining good academic standing (a GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two 'C' grades).

Admissions Selection Process (PDF) - Physician Assistant Program

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Individuals successfully meeting the required admissions selection criteria may receive an invitation to visit our campus for an interview. This meeting provides further insight into the applicant’s character and motivation, and allows an applicant the opportunity to discuss their application with an Admissions staff member, tour the campus and meet with faculty and students. The option for an online interview may be available upon request.

In addition, eligible students accepted into the Post-baccalaureate in Health Sciences program who successfully complete the certificate*, submit a complete CASPA application, and meet the program prerequisite requirements will be afforded the opportunity to interview to the Physician Assistant program.

*Post-baccalaureate students must complete 25 credits while maintaining good academic standing (a GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two 'C' grades) in order to successfully complete the certificate program.

Contact the Office of Admissions for additional information.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND MATRICULATION FEE

An applicant may be notified of their acceptance as early as August, prior to the desired year of enrollment. Upon receipt of acceptance, an applicant is required to pay a $1,000 matriculation fee to the University prior to the start of classes, payable as follows:

  • Return the matriculation form along with a $500 deposit within 14 days of the date of the acceptance letter.
  • The balance of the $500 matriculation fee is due by April 1.
  • If accepted after April 1, the offer of acceptance will detail payment requirements.
  • All monies received above are non-refundable and will be applied toward first term fees.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

All students admitted to the Salus University Physician Assistant Program are required to have a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, annual health clearances, fingerprinting and drug screening. Immunization requirements are in compliance with state regulations and CDC recommendations for healthcare providers. Information will be provided by the Office of Student Affairs regarding this process. Students are responsible for all fees associated with these clearance protocols.

Students will be responsible for uploading their required documentation via CastleBranch, an online-tracking system, and monitoring their compliance records to ensure that all information remains current and accurate. Clinical sites which require such clearances may deny a student’s participation in a clinical experience based on the results of these clearances.

As participation in clinical experiences is a required component of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation, denial by a clinical site may result in a delay of graduation, or the inability to graduate from the Program, or obtain certification or licensure as a healthcare professional.

More Information.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR TRANSFER CREDIT

The Salus University Physician Assistant Program does not grant advanced placement based upon transfer of credits for academic work completed at other institutions of higher learning or prior experiential learning. All courses within the curriculum are required.

Matriculating students who have withdrawn or been dismissed from the Program may be awarded advanced placement depending upon the designed remediation plan related to their readmission.

DEFERMENT OF ADMISSION

An accepted student to the Salus University Physician Assistant program with an unforeseen, extenuating circumstance prohibiting them from matriculating may request a deferment of admission in writing. The request must be directed to both the Dean of Students and the PA Program Director, and made via the Office of Admissions.

For deferment consideration, the following is required:

  • A deferment request submitted in writing by May 15, before the August start of the academic year. Please note, submission of a deferral request by the deadline does not guarantee approval.
  • Official documentation verifying the condition.
  • All non-refundable deposit fees and the matriculation supplement must be received (as directed in the University’s official Letter of Acceptance.)

If deferment is approved:

  • Admission will be extended to August matriculation of the next academic year.
  • A deferment will not extend beyond one admission cycle.
  • The student must contact the Office of Admissions, in writing, by April 1st of the deferred admission calendar year regarding his/her intention to resume enrollment.
  • The student will be required to meet with a member of the Admissions Committee prior to matriculation.

If a deferral request is denied:

  • A student has the option to withdraw acceptance from the Program, or reapply through CASPA for future admission.

For questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@salus.edu.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Enrolled students who withdraw or are dismissed from the University will be responsible for the payment of tuition in accordance with the institutional refund schedule.