Physician Assistant (PA) Program Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find our Frequently Asked Questions. Should you have any additional questions or would like us to expand on an answer below, contact our PA Admissions Coordinator, Amy Walker, or email pa@concord.edu.
In short, the program is in the accreditation process for provisional status, which is the first status all newly accredited programs gain. Please read our official statement, which goes into greater detail, below:
“Concord University has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Concord University anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2025, pending achieving Accreditation – Provision status at the March 2025 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation – Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
In the event that Accreditation-Provisional status is not granted by the ARC-PA, Concord University Physician Assistant Program will not matriculate its first class in August 2025 as planned. Any deposit paid by an applicant will be refunded in full. The University will not be responsible for refunding application fees or expenses incurred by applicants during the application and/or interview process (e.g., CASPA fees, travel to/from campus, etc.).”
Concord University’s PA Program is 28 months long, in 7 semesters.
After completing the CU PA Program, students receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies.
Concord University uses the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for traditional applicants and an internal application for fast track (current students) and CU alumni applicants.
We do not require a supplemental application for any of our applicants.
No. However, all prerequisites must be completed before matriculation into the program.
Combined Human Anatomy and Physiology courses are acceptable if they are completed at the same institution.
Advanced Placement (AP) credit awarded by the institution will be accepted.
Yes, we do accept coursework completed at community colleges on a case-by-case basis. However, we encourage most coursework to be completed at a 4-year institution, especially science courses with in-person labs.
Concord University PA Program does not accept advanced standing.
Yes. Please note all science prerequisite courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Microbiology, and all Chemistry courses) in addition to Medical Terminology must be completed within 10 years of matriculation.
- Shadow a variety of PAs (different areas of practice).
- Hold a significant amount of healthcare experience. We do recognize fast track students may not have as many hours as upper-class students and graduates, but please note competitive fast track candidates will still hold some healthcare experience.
- Be able to communicate why you want to be a PA.
- Hold a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score of 300 or higher (will look at all test scores if the most recent score is not the highest total score).
Healthcare experience is either paid or volunteer experience in the healthcare field. Experience(s) can vary from limited patient interaction to a highly involved hands-on experience. Positions vary in responsibility, so please be descriptive so the admissions committee can clearly understand your experience. We do not evaluate the number of hours alone, but also the level of responsibility you were given in your experience. Please click here for examples.
Those interested in applying can visit our Office of Financial Aid’s webpage and are more than welcome to email financialaid@concord.edu or call 304-384-6069.
Note: Veterans and their dependents may qualify for specific and additional financial aid. Please contact the Office of Veterans Services for more information on potential education benefits.
Although in-person interviews are encouraged for applicants, Zoom may be a more practical choice, specifically for those who need to travel a longer distance to campus. The admissions coordinator will coordinate interview times and dates with applicants selected for interview. Note: Fast-track applicants must interview in person.
Does the CU PA Program application require the GRE, PA-CAT, or MCAT?
A GRE score is a prerequisite for the program.
Applications through both CASPA and CU’s application portal will be reviewed by the admissions coordinator and program faculty. The admissions coordinator will review the application to verify that the application meets the minimum admissions requirements and then pass off the application to faculty to evaluate applicants on their academic preparedness, motivation for the profession, healthcare experience, perseverance, and program fit by using a rubric. The admissions coordinator will notify applicants who meet the criteria to invite them for an interview, in which the program will use the MMI (multiple mini-interview) format. The Program’s faculty will review combined application and interview scores and make decisions using a rolling admissions process. Applicants will be notified of their status within two weeks of the selection decision. Applicants are always welcome to contact the admissions coordinator with questions or concerns.
A student’s schedule will depend upon what phase they are in the program. During the first four semesters (didactic), students can expect to be in classes between 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. On rare occasions, a guest lecturer may come later in the evening, but note this will not be part of the average week. During the clinical year, a student’s schedule will heavily depend upon the clinical sites and preceptors where they will be doing their rotations.
Students will be provided with a MacBook upon matriculation. The device’s cost is built into student fees for the program’s first semester. Technology support is provided by the University’s IT department.
