Physician Assistant

Program Description

Physician Assistants (PAs) work on health care teams with physicians and other providers. They are qualified to provide a broad range of health care services including performing medical interviews and physical examinations, screening and interpreting results of diagnostic studies, diagnosing patients, implementing treatment plans, counseling patients regarding illness and preventative medicine, monitoring patients, and facilitating access to appropriate health care resources. Students may provide these services to individuals of any age in various settings.

Degree pathway for physician assistants - The minimum education required to enter the PA profession is the master's degree and, with a few exceptions, a bachelor's degree is required before entering a PA program. 

Admissions Requirements

The admissions process is highly selective and competitive. The review process begins as soon as verified applications are received from the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The program will offer interviews to selected applicants, and acceptances will be offered on a rolling admission basis. Early application is strongly encouraged. 

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete a CASPA application. Request CASPA application forms from CASPA or by calling them at 617-612-2080. All applicants must complete the K-State PA program supplemental application and submit the required fee. Applicants invited to an interview, must also complete the application for K-State graduate study, and submit the required fee.

The Admission Committee’s interview teams will interview selected applicants. Following the interview, applicants will be evaluated by the Admission Committee to assess their suitability for the program. The program will notify accepted applicants within two weeks of the interview. Those who wish to accept a seat must pay a $1000 deposit to reserve their seat within ten business days of receiving the offer. This deposit will be applied toward the first semester of tuition and will only be refunded if the PA program does not matriculate students in January 2026. 

Application & Timeline: 

The following information applies to the 2026 application cycle. CASPA opens April 24, 2026. The admission process is highly selective. Applicants are considered for an interview if they meet the minimum GPA requirements (3.0 prerequisite and 3.0 last 60 credit hours GPA) and have no legal history of felony convictions. They must also demonstrate at least two of the following seven admission preferences listed below: 

Program Admission Preferences: 

• GPA Last 60 Credit Hours >3.0, and GPA Prerequisite >3.0
• Direct patient care experience characterized as moderate or high level
• Direct patient care experience > 750 hours
• Work experience or research hours > 500 hours
• Community service > 250 hours
• Leadership activities ≥ one year
• Graduate degree earned in any discipline by August 1of the year in which applying

Visit KSU Admission for additional admission requirements and information. 

Pre-requisite Courses:

• Successful completion of all prerequisite courses by the time of application with a grade of “C” or above from a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• Prerequisites greater than ten years from the date of application will not be accepted, unless the applicant has provided at least 4,000 hours of direct patient care during that timeframe.
• Although CASPA averages retaken courses, the highest grade will be utilized for prerequisite GPA calculation, if a prerequisite course has been retaken.
• One course cannot be used to satisfy multiple prerequisites.
• No prerequisite course may be taken on a “pass/fail”, or “credit/non-credit” basis, therefore all courses must have a letter grade.