The South University physician assistant program requires applicants to complete specific science and humanities prerequisites, maintain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and submit verified healthcare experience totaling at least 100 hours. Admission is competitive and based on academic performance, clinical exposure, and personal statement quality.
Applicants must complete a set of required courses before enrollment. These include general biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and psychology. A course in anatomy and physiology is strongly recommended. All prerequisites must be completed at an accredited institution with a grade of C or better. South University does not accept online-only courses for science prerequisites unless they include hands-on laboratory components verified through proctored exams or in-person labs.
Each applicant must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. The program uses the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for applications. CASPA verifies prerequisite coursework and calculates a cumulative GPA. South University requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0. Applicants with GPAs below these thresholds are not reviewed further.
South University mandates that all prerequisite courses be completed within seven years of application submission. Courses taken more than seven years prior are not accepted unless the applicant provides evidence of continued engagement in science-related activities, such as research, continuing education, or clinical work.
For example, an applicant who took general chemistry in 2016 would need to demonstrate recent science involvement-such as volunteering in a hospital lab or completing a biotechnology certification-to qualify. This policy helps scientific knowledge remains current and applicable to patient care.
Coursework verification is handled through CASPA. Applicants must designate South University as a recipient of their CASPA transcript report. South University does not accept unofficial transcripts or self-reported grades. The program reviews only verified CASPA submissions.
| Prerequisite Category | Required Courses | Minimum Grade | Lab Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Biology | BIO 101, BIO 102 | C | Yes |
| General Chemistry | CHM 101, CHM 102 | C | Yes |
| Organic Chemistry | CHM 201, CHM 202 | C | Yes |
| Physics | PHY 101, PHY 102 | C | Yes |
| Psychology | PSY 101 | C | No |
Applicants must document at least 100 hours of direct patient care experience. This includes time spent observing or assisting licensed healthcare providers in clinical settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or long-term care facilities. Shadowing physicians or PAs alone does not count-experience must involve actual patient interaction under supervision.
Examples of qualifying experience include working as a medical scribe, emergency medical technician (EMT), certified nursing assistant (CNA), or pharmacy technician. Time spent in administrative roles, such as front-desk staff or scheduling, does not meet the requirement.
During my time volunteering at a rural community health center in Georgia, I logged 142 hours of direct patient contact over six months. I assisted nurses with important signs, documented patient histories, and observed physical exams. This experience helped me understand the daily demands of clinical practice and informed my personal statement. South University values this kind of sustained, hands-on exposure.
Applications are evaluated holistically. The admissions committee considers academic records, healthcare experience, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement. No single factor determines acceptance.
Letters of recommendation must come from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic or clinical abilities. One letter should be from a healthcare provider who supervised the applicant during clinical experience. Another should be from a professor or academic advisor. Letters from friends, family, or employers without professional oversight are not accepted.
Personal statements must be no longer than 500 words. They should reflect the applicant's motivation for pursuing a career as a physician assistant, understanding of the role, and awareness of healthcare challenges. Statements that focus solely on personal achievements or generic statements about helping people are less effective.
Some applicants assume that a bachelor's degree in any field qualifies them for the South University physician assistant program. This is incorrect. While any major is acceptable, applicants must still fulfill all prerequisite course requirements. A degree in business or communications does not waive the need for chemistry, biology, or physics courses.
Another misconception is that GRE scores are required. South University does not require the GRE for admission. The program relies on CASPA-verified GPA and clinical experience data instead.
A non-obvious fact: South University does not offer conditional admission. All requirements must be met before enrollment. If an applicant completes all prerequisites except one course, they cannot begin the program until that course is finished and verified. This policy helps students enter with a complete foundation in core sciences.
After submitting a CASPA application, applicants receive a status update via email. The review timeline averages 8-10 weeks. Selected candidates are invited for interviews, which are conducted virtually. Interviewees are assessed on communication skills, professionalism, and alignment with the program's mission of serving underserved populations.
Final decisions are communicated through CASPA. Accepted students must complete a background check, drug screening, and immunization verification before matriculation.