PA Program Admissions

Application Process

Applications to the FDU PA Program are accessible from the CASPA website. The upcoming CASPA application cycle will open on April 24, 2025. For the class beginning January 2026, CASPA applications for the Fairleigh Dickinson University PA Program will need to be completed and verified by CASPA no later than August 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply in advance of the submission deadline. A completed Patient Care Experience Form must be included in the CASPA application for each category of patient care, healthcare-related experience, and PA shadowing. Please complete form(s), have signed by the supervisor of the experience, and upload to the relevant category on the CASPA application. The CASPA application will also require the completion of the FDU PA Program Custom Questions included within the CASPA application. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.

Three letters of recommendation will be required which may be provided from employers, supervisors, professors, or others who may be able to reflect on the applicant’s professional and educational achievements and potential. These letters should be on formal letterhead and include the reference’s contact information (i.e., e-mail address, phone number, or both). These letters should be uploaded via the CASPA application.

Academic Standards for Enrollment

  • Overall GPA of 3.2 or better
  • Science GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Completion of all prerequisite courses

Admission Requirements and Education

The educational requirements for admission include:

  • Bachelor’s or higher degree
  • Completion of the following courses within the last ten years:
    • Anatomy and Physiology I, or Anatomy with lab
    • Anatomy and Physiology II, or Physiology with lab
    • General Chemistry I with lab
    • General Chemistry II with lab
    • Genetics with lab
    • Microbiology with lab
    • Organic Chemistry I with lab
    • Organic Chemistry II with lab, or Biochemistry with lab
    • Psychology
    • Statistics, Biostatistics, or Applied Statistics
  • Each of the above courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C+
  • We encourage applicants to complete all prerequisites before applying but will review applications with no more than two courses in progress. All prerequisite courses in-progress must be satisfactorily completed with official transcripts submitted by September 1.

Work/Volunteer Experience

The FDU PA Program requires a minimum of 400 hours of patient care and healthcare related experiences. We strongly recommend that a minimum of 25 hours include PA shadowing to better familiarize oneself with the profession. The above hours can be obtained through work or volunteer commitments.

Interview Process

The most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and, from this group, a cohort of 40 students will be selected. The selection process will reflect on academic background and potential; healthcare, work, and volunteer experiences; leadership skills; and motivation, understanding of the PA profession and professional responsibilities, professional demeanor, and interpersonal/verbal skills.

Acceptance Notification

All candidates will be notified of the admission committee’s decision which may include acceptance to the program or placement on a wait list. A ranked wait list from candidates who have been interviewed will be maintained. Placement on a wait list does not guarantee admission into the program. Should an accepted candidate withdraw from the program prior to the start of classes, the position will be offered to candidates on the wait list.

Advanced Standing

The PA Program does not grant prospective or enrolled PA students a waiver of required coursework or advanced standing. Due to the sequential construction of the PA curriculum, PA students are required to attend all courses and rotations in the didactic and clinical phases and cannot advance in the curriculum without completing all curricular components.  While the program requires prerequisite courses (such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and genetics) prior to enrollment, those prerequisites do not substitute for more advanced medical science courses offered within the curriculum of the PA Program.