Yes. You must apply to the Graduate School in order to be admitted to the university and to the graduate college. The reporting code is 7442. To complete this part of the application, please go to The Graduate School. After completing The Graduate School application, be sure to download it and save it as a PDF file.
Additionally, you must also apply through the CASPA system. You will upload your Graduate School application into the “Documents” section of the CASPA application..
No. You must submit the requested letters of recommendation and original transcripts as part of the CASPA application. You do not need to also submit letters of recommendation and original transcripts with the Graduate School application. If you are offered admission to the PA program, you will need to send original transcripts to the JMU Graduate School prior to the start of classes.
You must submit three (3) required letters of recommendation as part of the CASPA application. You do not need to submit the letters of recommendation with the Graduate School application. Letters are best from prior supervisors/employers, university professors, and/or medical professionals (clinicians) who have observed you working or volunteering in a patient care environment (not simply someone you shadowed briefly). Letters of recommendation from friends or family members are highly discouraged.
Yes. All candidates must apply through CASPA (in addition to the JMU Graduate School).
We have a recommended overall GPA of 3.0, however most students who are admitted have an overall GPA higher than this. Nevertheless, the Admissions Committee does take into consideration the applicant who has shown continuous improvement over time.
The Program does not have a model candidate. PAs work in a wide variety of jobs within the medical field. The role of the PA program is to educate people who can fill that wide variety of jobs. So the program selects candidates with wide ranges of abilities, backgrounds and interests who will combine their PA education with those varied interests and fill a broad range of PA positions.
Here is a statistical profile of candidates admitted to the PA program over the past few years. We expect some year-to-year variation in these ranges and means. They are offered here to help candidates gauge how competitive they may be with other candidates. Where provided, the ranges are more significant than the means.
Yes, it is a requirement for admission. The reporting code is 7442. The GRE is only waived if an applicant has a previously earned graduate degree.
There is no minimum score that is necessary. The Admissions Committee will consider the GRE scores along with the other admissions requirements and render decisions based upon the applicant's entire application and/or interview. However, the Admissions Committee has deemed a satisfactory score as a 25th percentile minimum.
To find your admission status, please log into your application’s “Activity” page, using the same username and password you used to apply. Instructions can be found here: https://www.jmu.edu/grad/prospective/applicant-status.shtml.
Official transcripts must be submitted to CASPA at the time of application and to The Graduate School at JMU upon acceptance. Unofficial transcripts may be sent to the PA program to document prerequisite course work completed after your CASPA application has been submitted.
A cohort tuition model is used for students in the PA Program. The tuition for this group/cohort of students, and each cohort thereafter, will be set before the cohort begins the program and will remain the same throughout the seven semesters/28 months of the program. More information.
Please go to the Cost of Attendance Calculator to see the estimated cost of attendance for your program of study.
The JMU Graduate School typically provides funding to the PA Program annually, to use towards five individual scholarships. These scholarships are awarded within the first month of the Program and are academic based, not needs based. It cannot be expected or guaranteed that the JMU Graduate School will provide this funding on annual basis. Scholarships from outside organizations including the PA Foundation are announced to students as they become available. Due to the pace and rigor of the PA Program curriculum, graduate assistantships are not available. Most students apply for financial aid through the JMU Financial Aid Office.
There is no specific major that is required - one must simply have at least a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite to admission. Most applicants major in biology. A basic science background of biology or chemistry is very helpful as it shows the candidate that he/she can or cannot succeed in these types of difficult topics. Other common majors include kinesiology, psychology, and exercise science. Majoring in health science as an undergraduate has also become more popular in recent years.
No.
On-campus interviews are typically held June - January.
One cohort is admitted per year. There are a maximum of 32 seats available per cohort. The program begins in the fall semester (late August).
CASPA counts ALL prior course grades when calculating GPAs.
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