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Prerequisites Requirements FAQs

Admission into the Taylor University PA Program requires an undergraduate degree and prerequisite courses in the sciences. Most prospective PA students will pursue a science-based bachelor's degree; however, any undergraduate major is acceptable if the prerequisites are completed. The PA Program will select a class of 40 students per cohort.

Prerequisites

All prerequisite science courses must be designed for science majors. Other courses will not be accepted.

  • General/Inorganic Chemistry (with lab), minimum 8 semester credits/12 quarter credits
  • Organic Chemistry (with lab), minimum 4 semester credits/6 quarter credits
  • General Biology (with lab), minimum 4 semester credits/6 quarter credits
  • Additional Biology Course 200 level or higher, minimum 4 semester credits/6 quarter credits
  • Anatomy and Physiology (with lab), minimum 8 semester credits/12 quarter credits
    • May include 4 semester credits of anatomy plus 4 semester credits of physiology or a minimum of 8 semester credits of combined anatomy and physiology
  • General/Introductory Psychology—minimum 3 semester credits
  • Additional Psychology/Sociology Course—minimum 3 semester credits

Admissions Requirements

The Taylor University PA Program uses a holistic application review process with focus on a candidate’s service experience, leadership experience, recommendation letters, CASPA essay responses, and healthcare experience hours. Entry into the PA (MSPAS) program is a very competitive process based on both quantitative and qualitative variables. Competitive candidates will often exceed the minimum requirements below. 

  • A completed CASPA application. Verification of your application by CASPA could take four weeks, so plan to submit your application as early as possible.
    • The application for August 2025 entry into the MSPAS program will be available beginning in late April of 2024.
    • To be considered for an interview, your application must be designated in CASPA as “verified” status by January 15, 2025.
  • Two letters of recommendation submitted through CASPA (up to five are allowed).
  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation into the PA (MSPAS) program. You may apply prior to obtaining your degree, and there are no specific required degrees or majors to gain entrance.
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (CASPA calculated) and minimum cumulative undergraduate science GPA of 3.0 (CASPA calculated)
  • A grade of C or higher in all prerequisite coursework. A grade of C– does not meet the requirement.
  • Completion of all but two prerequisite courses at the time of application submission. You must complete the remaining prerequisites by the end of the Spring term (May) prior to starting the program.
    • All courses are subject to approval by the admissions committee and cannot be taken on a Pass/Fail basis, as CLEP credit, or audited. AP credit will not be accepted for prerequisite courses.
    • Applicants should be aware that all courses within the curriculum are required, no transfer credit is accepted, and no credit is granted for pre-admission experiential learning. Only full-time students are admitted to the program.
  • Completion of an on-campus interview. Virtual interviews will be considered upon request and evidence of extenuating circumstances.
  • Fulfillment of technical standards, a.k.a. essential functions. Taylor University welcomes all students and will provide reasonable accommodations to students who have documented needs to meet this standard.
  • A minimum of 250 hours of prior healthcare experience is strongly recommended. Experience can include paid, volunteer, and shadowing hours. Preference will be given to hands-on patient care hours and paid experience.
  • Complete a criminal background check prior to matriculation. All students selected for admission into the program must complete a criminal background check each year. Students will be responsible for fees incurred with background checks.
  • Applicants considered for an interview will be asked to complete a secondary Taylor University application at no charge prior to the interview date. Information will be sent via email at the time of notification of interview selection with a due date for application completion.
  • PA students, like all members of the community, will be expected to strive to meet the biblical expectations outlined in Taylor’s Life Together Covenant. As a part of the application process, 100% of Taylor students, faculty, and staff make a profession of faith.

Special consideration will be given to the following:

  • Taylor University graduates
  • First-generation college students
  • Military service background
  • Mission service background
  • Third culture students

The Taylor University PA Program is currently not accepting international student applicants.

Students will not be required to provide clinical sites or preceptors for clinical rotations. Students will not be required nor allowed to work for the PA Program. The PA Program strongly discourages outside employment while enrolled in the program. The PA curriculum is rigorous and requires a full-time commitment to complete successfully.

The Taylor University PA Program reserves the right to make all final admissions decisions.

PA Program FAQs

For questions or more information, please email the TU PA program at paprogram@taylor.edu.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The program takes 27 months to complete. The didactic phase will begin in late August and continue over 15 months. The clinical phase will begin in January, with students graduating in December.

There is no direct admission pathway for Taylor University students. However, preference will be given to Taylor University graduates who apply to the program.

No, there is no hybrid option. All classes will be in person on the Taylor University campus in Upland, IN. Clinical rotations will take place mainly in East Central Indiana. Students with housing in other locations can work with the clinical year faculty to request potential distant rotations.

No, all students are required to be full-time students.

The TU PA program plans to matriculate 40 students in each class.

The PA curriculum is rigorous and requires a full-time commitment to complete successfully. It is strongly recommended that students do not work while in the program.

Students must complete a bachelor’s degree to apply to the PA program. The program does not require a specific bachelor’s degree. Students must also successfully complete all prerequisite courses to apply (see Admissions Requirements page).

No, the TU PA program does not offer advanced placement or advanced standing for any students. We also do not accept transfer credits.

The TU PA program strongly recommends a minimum of 250 hours of healthcare experience to apply. These hours can include paid, volunteer, and shadowing hours. Preference will be given to hands-on patient care and paid experiences.

No. All prerequisite courses must have a letter grade on the transcript.