Undergraduate Application


If you are a current high school student, please use the undergraduate application to apply.

Undergraduate Application

Students apply as freshmen for the five-year, entry-level Master's program. Within five years, students earn both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. The admissions criteria for these applicants are posted below. Because the admissions process is very competitive, students must have a solid academic record.

Here are some additional strategies to improve your chances of gaining admission:

  • Advanced Science & Math Skills: Applicants should demonstrate academic success with high-level science and math courses.
  • Leadership Skills: Demonstration of leadership in school or community organizations is a benefit and strengthens your application.
  • Demonstration of knowledge of the PA Profession: Applicants should understand the profession. While observing a PA in clinical practice is a great way to gain that understanding, not all prospective students may have that opportunity. Additional ways to understand the profession are to read about the career and visit the American Academy of Physician Assistants website and your local state society of physician assistants. Unlike many other PA programs, we do NOT require prospective students to shadow a PA.

Admission Information

ll students must enroll in the program as freshmen. Admission to the Physician Assistant program at the freshmen level requires the following:

  • a minimum Q.P.A. of at least 3.0 (admitted first-year students usually have a GPA much higher than the minimum)
  • a composite math and verbal SAT score of at least 1,170; or a composite ACT score of at least 24. Please be advised that we are test-optional for the current application cycle (students who will start in Fall 2025).
  • a minimum of seven units of math and science
    evidence of extracurricular activities and leadership during high school included on an additional list and resume
  • submission of two (2) letters of recommendation
  • submission of a personal essay including a statement about yourself, why you would like to become a physician assistant, and why you chose Duquesne University. Essays submitted directly to the Office of Admissions should be in either a Word document or PDF format.
    ** An essay submitted from the Common App, or any other application system, will NOT meet this requirement. **

It is recommended that students begin shadowing/observing a physician assistant while in high school to become more familiar with the profession. Students who meet all academic and program requirements during the pre-professional phase will be guaranteed admittance into the accredited phase.

Academic credit is not awarded for prior education or work experience.

Advanced Placement (AP) credit for science courses is not accepted for the Physician Assistant program.

Advanced placement is not considered.

The application deadline for first-year students is November 15. Applications will not be accepted after that date.

Due to capacity constraints, we are not accepting transfer or second-degree applications to the PA program. Any student with more than 12 post-secondary credits is considered a transfer student.

Further admissions information.

All RSHS students will be expected to have abilities in five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and social. These abilities enable the student to perform tasks required to meet graduation and professional requirements as measured by state and national certification, licensure, and registration processes.

Learn more about Performance Indicators/Technical Standards