Physician Assistant Scholars

Point Loma Nazarene University's PA Scholars program is an exclusive opportunity for freshmen to be guaranteed a position in PLNU's physician assistant program upon graduation from specific pre-PA degree programs offered at PLNU.

The PA Scholars program allows students seeking careers as physician assistants to gain valuable health care credentials prior to entrance into the post-baccalaureate PA program. This preparatory education, in conjunction with the PA program's didactic and clinical curriculum, enriches the graduate's expertise and competence. In addition, it allows students the opportunity to complete a degree that positions them for a rewarding health care career should they choose another path and elect not to continue in the graduate PA program upon completion of their bachelor's degree.

Application Requirements

The application requirements are as follows:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75, weighted or unweighted, as reported on the senior year high school transcripts. 
• Completion of at least three years of high school math and science - four years of math and science are highly recommended 
• Complete and submit an online PA Scholars application for admission. Indicate one of the approved degrees and "Pre-PA" as your pre-professional program.
  • Approved majors include: 
    • Applied Health Science BS
    • Biology BA
    • Biology BS
    • Biology-Chemistry BS
    • Chemistry BS
• Complete the online PA Scholars application by December 1 of your freshman year. 
• Submit two letters of recommendation, emailed by December 1. The letters  can be emailed to terrabowles@pointloma.edu
• Letters can be from high school teachers, coaches, other pre-PLNU contacts, or PLNU contacts.
• Application Timeline:
  • Deadline: December 1 of your freshman year at PLNU
  • Admission decisions will be mailed to applicants by March of their freshman year

Requirements to Remain in the Physician Assistant Scholars Program

Once accepted as a PA Scholar, students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment at Point Loma Nazarene University and to meet the following requirements:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 through completion of the Bachelor’s program.

2. Obtain a “B” or higher in all the following prerequisite courses. Note: retakes are allowed for the pre-requisite courses listed below in #3, but the student's cumulative GPA must always remain at least a 3.75

3. Complete all prerequisite courses at PLNU: 

• General Chemistry I and II (CHE 1052, CHE 1052L, CHE 1053, and CHE 1053L) 
• Organic Chem I and II (CHE 2094, CHE 2094L, CHE 2096, and CHE 2096L) 
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO 1030, BIO 1030L, BIO 1040, and BIO 1040L) 
• Cell Biology and Biochemistry (BIO 2010 and BIO 2010L)
• Microbiology (BIO 2020 and BIO 2020L or BIO 3015 and BIO 3015L)
• Statistics (MTH 2003 or MTH 3063)
• Advanced Biochemistry (BIO/CHE 4050 and BIO/CHE 4050L)
• Genetics (BIO 3045 and BIO 3045L)
• Choose at least one of the following courses: 
  • Pathology of Injury and Illness (KIN 3085)
  • The Physiology of Exercise (KIN 3040)
  • Assessment of Lower Extremity Pathology (KIN 3087)
  • Assessment of Head, Spinal and Upper Extremity Pathology (KIN 3088) 
  • Orthopedic Assessment (KIN 3089)

4. Complete pre-approved direct patient care hours:  

• 100 hours by August 15 after the freshman year (prior to the sophomore year)
• 250 hours by August 15 after the sophomore year (prior to the junior year)
• 500 hours by July 15 after the senior year (prior to matriculation into the PA program)
• The method of obtaining these hours must be approved by the PA Education Department prior to beginning the experience. Documentation of direct patient care hours must be submitted by the end of each Spring and Fall semester.

5. Attend two PA information sessions:  one in the Spring semester of Freshman year, to ensure candidates understand the requirements to remain in the program and a second in the Spring semester of Junior year, to ensure candidates are on track with their CASPA application

6. PA Scholars are required to complete the online Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) by May 30th of their Junior Year. (Applications open in late April). A PLNU supplemental application is also required. This process ensures students are captured in the national database for PA programs. Applicants will need to pay the current CASPA rate and the supplemental rate for the PLNU PA program. In addition, admission to the PA program for all incoming PA students is contingent on clearance of a criminal background check, a negative drug screen, and compliance with immunization requirements.  Specific information regarding these requirements is available in the PA Student handbook which is posted on the webpage. 

7. Attend a PLNU PA Interview summer/fall of Senior year at PLNU. Dates will vary.