Physician Assistant

PANCE Certification and Attrition

Graduates of an accredited Physician Assistant program must pass the national Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in order to acquire state licensure to practice. This exam is developed jointly by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Below are the percentage pass rates for the first-time test takers of the PANCE for the past five South University Richmond, Physician Assistant Studies graduating classes.

Click the link below to view the pass rates of South University, Richmond students

View PANCE pass rates of South University, Richmond students.

Student Attrition

To view the South University, Richmond PA program student attrition information, please click HERE.

Admissions Information and Requirements

Procedure for Admission to the Master in Science Physician Assistant (MSPA) Program

Entrance to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program is gained through a formal application review and an interview. Application to the program is made through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants must specifically designate the South University campus(es) to which their application should be submitted within the CASPA system.

A completed application must be submitted through CASPA in order to be reviewed by any of the South University campuses. The application cycle for the January start will begin in April annually. The deadline for all application materials to be complete* in the CASPA application portal is August 1st annually.

To apply for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program at South University, Richmond, individuals must:

• Complete CASPA online Applications including submission of all transcripts and GRE scores.
• Official GRE scores for the General Test (verbal, quantitative, and written essay) are required to be electronically submitted to CASPA through ETS (Educational Testing Service) using the Richmond program GRE Code: 7147. Paper copies are not accepted.

*This is the date your application became complete and was placed in the verification queue. Your complete date is the day your final required item - a transcript, reference letter, payment, or e-submitted application - posted to your CASPA account.

**Please do not send transcripts directly to South University. Transcripts should be sent to CASPA.

Individuals whose applications are deemed competitive will be invited for a required interview. Therefore, those who apply early in the admission cycle are more likely to be granted an interview than those who apply later. Each program concludes interviews for the admissions cycle upon filling all available seats. Not all qualified applicants will receive an interview.

Students who are offered a seat into the Physician Assistant program are only permitted to reserve a seat at one campus. Within 30 days of the student signing the acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the student to notify any other South University Physician Assistant program(s) of his/her intent to withdraw. Seat acceptance fees are non-transferable to other South University programs.

Note: Applicants should refer to the Physician Assistant Program policy on Acceptance Fee for more details.

Admission Criteria

Selection for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. The following criteria represent the minimum conditions established for students interested in applying to the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program:

• Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• Applicants must have an overall GPA as calculated by the CASPA service of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework). Preference will be given to those with an overall GPA at or above 3.3.
• Applicants should have a Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service. Preference will be given to those with a prerequisite (BCP) GPA at or above 3.15.
• Applicants must submit scores from the GRE general exam directly to the CASPA service using the South University PA program code 7147. Preference will be given to those with GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) at the 50th percentile or above.
• At least three letters of reference on the CASPA application must be submitted
• At least one reference on the CASPA application must be from a physician (MD/DO), Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed and to whom the applicant is not related. Impressive, well- articulated, and unequivocal letters attesting to the applicant’s motivation, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and future contribution towards health care are considered competitive. Preference is granted to applicants with letter(s) from a PA.

Clarification of PA Program Admission Policies Due to COVID-19

The South University Physician Assistant (PA) programs recognize the unique challenges faced by students and academic institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. South University will continue to accept prerequisite courses, including lab work, completed online or on campus from any regionally-accredited U.S. college or university.

Due to the awarding of “Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory” or “Pass/Fail” grading for courses completed during the COVID-19 pandemic the South University PA program is providing clarification of its admission policies based on these grading scale changes.

• The South University PA programs will accept “Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory” or “Pass/Fail” grades for courses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as submitted through CASPA.
• Applicants are advised to visit the CASPA Applicant Help Center for more information regarding effects of non-letter grades on CASPA-calculated GPAs.
• When possible, the South University PA Program admissions committee recommends students elect to receive letter grades for these courses if the option is available.
• The South University PA programs will continue to require GRE scores at the time of CASPA application submission.

Students with concerns regarding how “Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory” or “Pass/Fail” grades in courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic terms have affected their CASPA-calculated GPA may apply for an additional GPA review through the PA Admissions Committee.

The South University PA programs will revisit this policy and make additional changes if necessary in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prerequisite Courses

Students must complete all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university prior to submission of his/her application.

Prerequisite coursework which is obtained from a four-year college or university and which is designed for science majors is considered more competitive.

In general, prerequisite coursework with titles that include "Essentials of," "Survey of," or "Introductory to," unless specifically designed for science majors, are considered less competitive.

Basic science courses should be those for science majors. The General Biology and Biochemistry courses are recommended to include a lab, but it is not required.

Only courses (excluding General Biology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry) with an associated lab will be given credit for fulfilling prerequisite requirements. In the event that a laboratory is not offered with a prerequisite course, applicants may request the lab requirement for that course be waived by contacting the program. Lab waivers and/or course substitutions are granted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants requesting such should be prepared to submit supporting documents, including, but not limited to, course descriptions.

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program accepts credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit towards completion of the respective prerequisite subject. Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant's overall or prerequisite GPA.

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program does not accept College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit for any prerequisite requirements.

South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant programs do not accept a transfer of credits from other physician assistant programs or provide enrolled students with a waiver of credit (i.e., advanced placement) for any component of the required curricular coursework. All students must complete each course in the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant curriculum.

Clinical Experience

Clinical experiences should provide the applicant with a knowledge of and orientation to the presentation, signs, and symptoms of a variety of ill or injured patients. Preference is given to applicants with clinical experience that includes direct patient care. However, there is no requirement for a predetermined number of hours (or months) of health care experience to be earned by an applicant.

Admissions Committee Selection Factors

Applicants for admission are considered and ranked using multiple factors. Applicants are awarded preference points based upon the following selection factors:

Academic achievement (overall GPA, BCP, GRE).

• Preference will be given to those with GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) at the 50th percentile or above.
• Preference will be given to those with an overall GPA at or above 3.3.
• Preference will be given to those with a prerequisite (BCP) GPA at or above 3.2.

Quality of letters of reference.

• References from Physician Assistants (PAs) are preferred.
• Letters from personal acquaintances are discouraged.

Quality hands-on patient care.

• Preference is given to applicants with clinical experience that requires direct patient care, such as: Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, EMT/Paramedic, Nurse, or Certified Nursing Assistant.

Essay.

Prerequisite coursework which is obtained from a four-year college or university and which is designed for science majors.

PA mentorship/shadowing experiences.

Community service hours.

Interview performance.

The Admissions Committee assesses evidence of an applicant’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, knowledge of the PA profession and the health care system with an alignment to the mission and vision of the program. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program adheres to the South University Non-discrimination policy.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Accepted applicants will be required to complete the following items in order to obtain approval for matriculation in January:

• Satisfactory Criminal Background and Drug Screen Report
• Health/Immunization Requirements
• Health Insurance Documentation
• Baccalaureate Diploma Verification
• American Heart Association (AHA) Approved Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission for those applying for financial aid

Applicants seeking admissions to the Physician Assistant program must abide by the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy. Acceptance into a South University program or its completion does not guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.

All Physician Assistant program students are responsible for meeting matriculation deadlines and requirements as published within the campus-specific Enrollment Guide.There is a $1000 acceptance fee, $900 of which is refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Richmond.

If you have questions in regard to the Application Process, please contact the Richmond Physician Assistant program office by calling 804-727-6894 or by email at RichmondPAProgram@southuniversity.edu.

Curriculum

Program Goals

Please click here for information on our Physician Assistant program and effectiveness in achieving program goals.

The following are program goals for the South University, Richmond Physician Assistant program :

• The program will recruit a highly qualified, diverse student cohort that will foster success in the program.

• The program will strive to adequately prepare graduating students to achieve a first-time pass rate that exceeds the national average upon completion of the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).

• The program will provide students service learning opportunities that allow them to use their skills and education to demonstrate compassion and commitment to the community.

(Note: Requirements for NCCPA Certification are determined by the NCCPA and are subject to change without notification to South University. Graduation from the South University, Richmond Physician Assistant program does not guarantee certification or employment.)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the MSPA Degree
Per quarter: $10,000.00* (*Effective January 2021)
Total tuition: $90,000.00

Required Fees for the MSPA Degree

Acceptance Fee: $1,000.00* (Non-refundable/Applied to Tuition)
 *There is a $1000 acceptance fee, $900 of which is refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Richmond.
Graduation Fee: $125.00
American Academy of Physician Assistant (AAPA) Student Membership Fee: $75.00 
(One-time Fee)
Other Estimated Costs for the MSPA Degree
Professional Instruments: $1,100.00 (Approximate)
Digital Textbooks:  $2,610.00 ($15 per credit)

Technology Fee: $2,040.00 (Effective Summer 2021, a technology fee of $15 per credit will be applied

Surgical Scrubs: $55.00 (Approximate)
Laptop Computer and privacy screen: $1,500.00
Background Check: $200.00-400.00 (Additional fees may apply to the base package fee contingent upon credentialing requirements of the clinical site.)
State Association Fees: $60.00

Estimated Total for the MSPA Degree

Tuition and Fees: $97,965.00*

*includes technology fee effective Summer 2021

Tuition and fees are subject to change. The tuition for in-state and out-of-state residents is the same. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and upon acceptance is applied toward the student’s tuition. There is a $1000 acceptance fee, $900 of which is refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Richmond. 
All students are required to have a laptop computer with wireless internet access for use in the multimedia classroom. Purchase of these items is not recommended prior to acceptance into the program because of these very specific requirements.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

All charges are due and payable on or before the registration date for each quarter. Circumstances which prevent a student from adhering to these dates should be discussed with the financial aid office. 

Students attending school under grants and/or loans should confer with the financial aid office concerning payment of fees. South University will not impose any penalty or late fees, deny access to classes, libraries, or other campus facilities, or require a covered individual to borrow additional funds due to delayed payments from the VA under Chapter 31 or 33. Failure to make proper payments, unless otherwise cleared with the financial aid office, will result in dismissal from the university. Grades will not be issued, degrees granted, or academic transcripts furnished until all financial obligations have been satisfied and all university property returned. For refund policies, please see the academic catalog HERE.

Policies and procedures for student withdrawal, refunds of tuition and fees, policies that limit or prevent students from working during the program and policies and procedures for processing student grievances can be found in the http://catalog.southuniversity.edu/

Student Employment

Due to the rigorous nature of the Physician Assistant program, employment during a student's course of training is strongly discouraged.

Employment must never interfere with academic or clinical assignments.

At no time is a South University Physician Assistant student allowed to or required to work for the South University Physician Assistant program or program clinical sites.

Student Handbook

South University Student Handbook

For additional and detailed information about being a student at South University, Richmond please refer to the Student Handbook available here.

For the Physician Assistant (MS) Program Student Handbook please click here. All Physician Assistant program policies apply to all students, principal faculty, and the program director regardless of location, i.e., didactic and clinical settings.