Admissions

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Prerequisites
The Physician Assistant Program requires that applicants have completed the following courses by the September 1 application deadline.

Biology: At least 14 semester hours of biology in the following areas, including at least two lab courses.

- Anatomy and Physiology: One semester of human anatomy and one semester of human physiology; or a two-semester sequence of combined human anatomy, which must be at the 200 (sophomore) level or above. Though vertebrate and mammalian anatomy and physiology are acceptable, human anatomy and physiology is strongly preferred.
- Microbiology: One semester of microbiology at the 200 (sophomore) level or above.
- Health-related upper-division biological science: One semester of any of the following courses at the 300 (junior) level or above: Genetics, immunology, vertebrate/mammalian embryology, endocrinology, histology, pathophysiology, neuroscience, parasitology, mycology, or biology of cancer.
Chemistry: A minimum of 11 semester hours of chemistry, including the following courses, at least two of which must include a laboratory:
- General Chemistry: One semester of general or introductory chemistry.
- Organic Chemistry: One semester of organic chemistry at the 200 (sophomore) level or above.
- Biochemistry: One semester of biochemistry at the 300 (junior) level or above. Molecular or cellular biology at the 300 level or above are acceptable alternatives.
Mathematics: A minimum of two semesters of mathematics including:
- Pre-calculus/calculus: One semester of college algebra with trigonometry or pre-calculus or calculus - Statistics: One semester of statistics.
Psychology: A minimum of one semester of general, introductory, developmental or abnormal psychology.

In addition to completing the above prerequisite courses, applicants must have the following:

Academic Aptitude: A minimum cumulative GPA on all post-high school courses of 3.00 calculated on a four-point scale.
- A minimum science (as defined by CASPA) GPA of 3.00. Submission of GRE scores is required. GRE scores are used as another measure of academic aptitude along with GPA. Thus, there is no minimum required score. There is a minimum score requirement of 1100.
Degree: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Health Care Experience: Prior direct patient care health experience is expected. Such experience provides evidence of a career commitment to health care as a physician assistant. In the program's competitive admission process, the length and depth of health-care experience is a selection factor.

Applicants are selected based on grades, work and volunteer experiences, leadership qualities, and representation of personal qualities and skills in a personal letter.

International Applicants
International applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) exam. Learn more about the exam and register online at www.ets.org/toefl. The MSHS school code for the TOEFL exam is 5784. Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions.

Further, applicants from outside of the United States must have their educational transcripts translated (if not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to www.naces.org/members.htm for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential evaluation services.

Admissions Policy
Today's allied health education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of essential skills and professional attitudes and behavior. The goal of MSHS programs is to graduate the best health care practitioners. Further, MSHS must also ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical or emotional functions. Therefore, admission to educational programs is offered only to those applicants who meet qualifications for education and training in the art and science of the respective allied health profession. Applicants should possess the following general qualities:

Critical thinking
Sound judgment
Excellent communication skills
Emotional stability and maturity
Empathy
Physical and mental stamina
Ability to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings

You must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession and meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate their request with the program director.

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in the program and to ensure patient safety. Applicants must demonstrate objective competency in English through the admission interview and may be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent examination.

Applicants are judged not only on scholastic accomplishments, but also on physical and emotional capacities to meet the requirements of the program's curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners, with reasonable accommodations, if applicable. To preserve the welfare of students and patients, each MSHS program will establish minimum standards deemed essential for safety in practicing that respective profession. Applicants seeking accommodations should initiate their request with the program director.

Admissions committees for each program may require additional specific admission standards. Documentation of these program-specific standards is available from the program director.

Additional Admission Requirements
Applicants offered admission to MSHS programs must also comply with prevailing institutional policies and procedures regarding:

Immunization
Occupational Health Review and/or Physical Exam
Background Study
Drug Screen
Health Insurance
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Confidentiality, and other training deemed necessary by Mayo Clinic and/or the MSHS program.

Questions about these requirements can be directed to the school.

Failure to comply or to provide requested documentation is grounds for rescinding an admission offer or terminating admission.

Student responsibilities
Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times.

Equal opportunity
Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran's status.

In addition to the qualities described above, you will be assessed for:

Observation, communication and motor function
Intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
Behavioral and social attributes
Tactical and somatic sensation
Functional use of vision and hearing

Diagnostic equipment and tools may provide technological compensation for some disabilities, but the candidate should be able to perform in an independent manner.

Although PAs usually work in comfortable, well-lighted environments, those in surgery often stand for long periods, and others do considerable walking. Schedules vary according to practice setting, and often depend on the hours of the supervising physician. The workweek of PAs in physicians' offices may include weekends, night hours, or early morning hospital rounds to visit patients. PAs also may be on call. PAs in clinics often work a 40-hour week.

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