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All USM PA Program admissions policies are aligned with approved University, Graduate Admissions, and School of Health Professions admission policies. Additional policies, processes, or requirements unique to the USM PA Program have been reviewed and approved by University administrators and legal counsel.

All applicants to the USM PA Program must meet all USM (Graduate Program) application requirements: 
/graduate-admissions/graduate-program-contacts-and-application-deadlines.php 91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
In addition, all applicants must meet all required91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯Technical Standards 

The PA program has identified the following admissions criteria that favors specified individuals and groups:  

• MS residents91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯(graduated from a MS high school and/or regionally accredited MS IHL)
• USM students and alumni
• Military veterans and members91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯(active duty, guard/reserve, history of service with honorable discharge)
• Candidates from91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯disadvantaged backgrounds: (HRSA defined)
  • Geographically underserved / rural area or identified Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA)
  • First generation scholar
  • Economically and/or Educationally disadvantaged
• Candidates that demonstrate a91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯commitment to service91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯and/or the mission and goals91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯of the USM PA Program as evidenced by:
  • Research experience (publishing not required)
  • Leadership experience (paid or volunteer)
  • Health care or community service in an underserved area or with an underserved population
• Certification or licensure91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯in a healthcare field (e.g. EMT, paramedic, CNA, Athletic Trainer, Chiropractor, or Podiatrist).
• Master91³Ô¹ÏÍø degree91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯(completed or projected to be completed prior to matriculation)
• Repeat applicants91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯who demonstrate substantial improvement in their application compared to previous

Non-discrimination policy:

91³Ô¹ÏÍø does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, religion, race, color, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law, in its admission, treatment, or access to its educational programs and activities or in its employment practices. The University of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault and misconduct, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø complies with federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination based on the protected categories listed above, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex (including sexual misconduct) in the University's educational programs and activities. Consistent with our commitment to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, it is the policy of the University not to tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment in any form and to provide those who feel that they are victims of discrimination with mechanisms for seeking redress.

For more information on USM Compliance & Ethics Policies and Procedures: /compliance-ethics/policies-and-procedures.php  

Advanced Placement policy: 

No advanced placement is granted for any reason in any circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to transfer credits, credits for experiential learning, PA courses completed at a different institution, and foreign medical graduates. Completion of prerequisite or other courses does not substitute for or replace any component of the PA program curriculum. 

Admissions Committee Conflict of Interest policy:

The USM PA Program Admissions committee members are expected to use their professional integrity and excuse themselves from participating in the application scoring or interviewing process of candidates with whom they have a significant relationship outside of the PA Program. This may include but is not limited to family members, friends, family friends, acquaintances, individuals they know well, and those with whom they have established professional relationships in other settings.

Application Code of Conduct policy:

The USM PA Program Admissions committee reserves the right to investigate the authenticity, accuracy, and authorship of any materials submitted, information provided, and any assertions made in connection with the application. 

• Baccalaureate (Bachelor91³Ô¹ÏÍø) degree in any field from a US accredited Institute of Higher Learning
• Prerequisite courses:   
  • Required courses (see table below)
    • Anatomy & Physiology I & II + labs → 8 credits total
    • Biology (lab not required) → 3 credits
    • General Chemistry I & II + labs → 8 credits total
    • Organic Chemistry + lab → 4 credits
    • Microbiology (lab not required) → 3 credits
    • Statistics → 3 credits
• Course selection, grading, and timeframe
  • All prerequisite science (not including statistics) courses should be those intended for 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜science or health91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ majors. Required labs must be of the same level and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜rigor91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ as the associated lecture course. Generally, science courses titled 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Fundamentals of91³Ô¹ÏÍø¦91³Ô¹ÏÍø™, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Introduction to91³Ô¹ÏÍø¦91³Ô¹ÏÍø™, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Survey of91³Ô¹ÏÍø¦91³Ô¹ÏÍø™, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Concepts of91³Ô¹ÏÍø¦91³Ô¹ÏÍø™, or 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Essentials of91³Ô¹ÏÍø¦91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ DO NOT meet this requirement.
  • Must have a grade of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜C91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ or better, 'pass' or 'credit' in all courses
  • Grades of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜C-91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜ or below, 'fail', or 'non-credit' are not accepted for prerequisite courses
  • No more than 2 prerequisite courses completed with a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜non-grade91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ (i.e. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Pass/Fail91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ or 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Credit/Non-credit91³Ô¹ÏÍø™)
  • No more than 2 outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of application

 

• Healthcare experience:  
  • 500 minimum Direct Patient Care (DPC) hours
    • Can be paid or unpaid (volunteer) hours
  • DPC hours must be completed in the United States, US territories, or as part of US organizations such as the military, peace corps. Acceptance of US organization-based DPC hours is at the discretion of the PA program Admissions committee.
  • The USM PA Admissions committee will determine which and how many hours are accepted towards the requirement. This determination considers what the applicant writes as a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜description of duties91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ on the application. If duties are unclear, the program reserves the right to determine how many hours will be accepted based on the description.
  • Applicants are not required to submit documentation of DPC hours, but the USM PA Admissions committee reserves the right to verify them.

• • Other healthcare roles or life experiences that are not counted toward DPC hours may help demonstrate an applicant91³Ô¹ÏÍø alignment with the Program91³Ô¹ÏÍø mission and goals or extraordinary life or healthcare experiences. Applicants are encouraged to include all other experiences on their application.
• Shadowing:
  • 16 hours total required (at least 4 hours must be with a practicing PA)
  • All hours must be completed with a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜prescribing91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ clinician (e.g. PA, MD, DO, NP)
  • Shadowing hours do not count toward DPC hours

Outstanding Requirements:

• No more than 2 outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of application
• ALL DPC hours must be complete at the time of application
• ALL shadowing hours must be completed at the time of application
• Undergraduate degree can be pending at the time of application

ALL requirements must be completed before the anticipated matriculation date.

• Grade point average (GPA) 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ both required to meet minimum
  • Overall undergraduate (cumulative) GPA: 3.00 (4.00 scale)
  • Prerequisite course GPA: 3.00 (4.00 scale)
    • GPA requirements are assessed at the time of application. Any outstanding coursework that is not included in GPA upon application will be reviewed before matriculation. If the GPA falls below the minimum after application and before matriculation, a seat offer will be revoked.
• Baccalaureate (Bachelor91³Ô¹ÏÍø) degree91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯in any field from a US accredited Institute of Higher Learning
• Standardized testing:91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯None required 

 

•  
• Review the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Admissions Requirements91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ section
• Complete the PA Program Supplemental Application
  • A personal statement/essay is required as part of the supplemental application for all applicants.
  • Save a copy of your completed application 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ you will need to upload this with your application to the USM Graduate School (SLATE)
• Complete the application to the USM Graduate School (SLATE) 
  • Application fee ($60) must be submitted with the (SLATE) application
• Send ALL official transcripts (from all educational institutions attended) to Graduate admissions
  • All official transcripts should be requested/ordered at the time of application. Applications are not considered complete and will not meet initial screening requirements until all official transcripts are received by Graduate Admissions. It is the applicant91³Ô¹ÏÍø responsibility to ensure official transcripts are received by Graduate Admissions.
  • Graduate Admissions accepts official transcripts sent in sealed, official envelopes via postal mail and via electronic transcript services. For electronic transcript services requiring an email address, please use graduateschoolFREEMississippi, otherwise, be certain to select 91³Ô¹ÏÍø - Graduate Admissions from any lists. Transcripts being sent via the postal mail should be addressed to:

91³Ô¹ÏÍø Graduate School Admissions

118 College Drive #5024

Hattiesburg, MS 39406

• Submit 2 Reference Letters:   
  • Include at least 1 reference from a 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜prescribing clinician91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ (PA, MD, DO, NP)
  • References from family members or friends are not accepted
  • Reference letters must be submitted directly via SLATE. Letters that are emailed, scanned, delivered, or otherwise submitted by anyone other than the requested referrer will not be accepted.
• International applicants:
  • Applicants must be a US citizen, legal permanent resident (green card), or possess a current, valid education visa.
  • All prerequisite courses must have been taken at an accredited US Institution of Higher Learning.
  • Direct patient care (DPC) hours accrued outside of the US by international applicants may be accepted to meet the minimum DPC hours requirement. Acceptance of DPC hours outside of the US or as part of a US organization (such as military, peace corps, .) is at the discretion of the PA program Admissions committee.
  • More information for international applicants:

/graduate-admissions/international-admissions/index.php 

The PA Program Admissions review committee is primarily comprised of faculty and staff members of the USM PA Program and may also include faculty or staff from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Once a completed application is received, the following review process is utilized:

• STEP 1 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Application prescreening / verification:   
  • A screening checklist is used to verify each application meets all minimum requirements
• STEP 2 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Application review (pre-interview):
  • Once an application has been verified (meets all minimum requirements), it is reviewed by a member of the PA Admissions Committee to determine if and when the candidate will be invited for an interview.
    • If a reviewer encounters a conflict of interest (see policy above), the application review is reassigned, and the faculty member will generally abstain from the assignment of a status category for that applicant.
  • The reviewing committee member will determine which area(s) of the candidate91³Ô¹ÏÍø application are rated as 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜average91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ or 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜competitive91³Ô¹ÏÍø™. Additional points are given in the areas identified as 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜competitive91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ including:
    • higher overall undergraduate GPA
    • higher prerequisite course GPA
    • higher DPC hours
    • higher shadowing hours
    • reference letters from more than 1 prescriber
    • impactful personal essay (strong evidence of compassion, empathy, motivation, knowledge of profession)
  • The reviewing committee member will also determine if the applicant is eligible to receive additional points as an individual or member of one or more of the groups listed below: 
    • MS residents91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯(graduated from a MS high school and/or regionally accredited MS IHL)
    • USM students and alumni
    • Military veterans and members91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯(active duty, guard/reserve, history of service with honorable discharge)
    • Candidates from91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯disadvantaged backgrounds: (HRSA defined)
      • Geographically underserved / rural area or identified Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA)
      • First generation scholar
      • Economically and/or Educationally disadvantaged
    • Candidates that demonstrate a91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯commitment to service91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯and/or the mission and goals91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯of the USM PA Program as evidenced by:
      • Research experience (publishing not required)
      • Leadership experience (paid or volunteer)
      • Health care or community service in an underserved area or with an underserved population
    • Certification or licensure91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯in a healthcare field (e.g. EMT, paramedic, CNA, Athletic Trainer, Chiropractor, or Podiatrist).
    • Master91³Ô¹ÏÍø degree91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯(completed or projected to be completed prior to matriculation)
    • Repeat applicants91³Ô¹ÏÍø¯who demonstrate substantial improvement in their application compared to previous

STEP 3 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Interviews:        

• • The USM PA program plans to use Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMI) to assess the candidate91³Ô¹ÏÍø alignment with the Program91³Ô¹ÏÍø mission and goals and the PA profession. MMI interviews are conducted by trained personnel and may or may not include PA Admissions committee members.
  • There may be opportunities to meet with faculty members informally on interview days.
  • All interviews are held in-person.
  • Candidates are not permitted to select their interview date.
  • USM students and alumni and military veterans and service members (active duty, guard/reserve, history of service with honorable discharge) who meet all the minimum application requirements are guaranteed an interview.
  • See FAQ page for more information about MMI
• STEP 4 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Admissions committee review (post-interview) and selection status:   
  • After each interview cycle, all interviewed candidates91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ applications are discussed at a PA Admissions committee meeting. 
    • If a committee member encounters a conflict of interest (see 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜General Admissions policies91³Ô¹ÏÍø™), they will abstain from the assignment of a status category for that applicant.
  • 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Modified rolling91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ admissions 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ The PA Program Admissions committee reviews each application and all associated materials after each interview cycle and assigns a status as defined below:
    • Accepted 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Candidate is admitted having a conferred baccalaureate (bachelor91³Ô¹ÏÍø) degree and has completed all application prerequisites and requirements. Candidate will be allowed to matriculate pending payment of their seat deposit and completion of all 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Post-Acceptance91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ requirements.
    • Accepted (Conditional) 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Candidate is admitted pending completion of any/all outstanding prerequisites (all must meet minimum requirements for admission) or other application requirements. Candidate will be allowed to matriculate pending payment of their seat deposit and completion of all 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Conditional91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ Acceptance and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Post-Acceptance91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ requirements.
    • Accepted (Deferred) 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ In extenuating circumstances, if accepted or accepted conditionally, a candidate may apply for a deferral request if extenuating circumstances prevent the candidate from matriculating with the current cohort. If approved, deferred candidates will be offered matriculation in the next cohort (1 year maximum). A deferred candidate may only request deferral for 1 admissions cycle. After the deferment period, the candidate will be allowed to matriculate pending payment of their seat deposit and completion of all 91³Ô¹ÏÍø˜Post-Acceptance91³Ô¹ÏÍø™ requirements.
      • USM Graduate Admissions link for deferral request: /graduate-admissions/next-steps.php 
    • Alternate/Hold 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Candidate is placed on an alternate/hold list for possible acceptance if a seat becomes available prior to matriculation of the cohort. Candidates on the alternate list that aren91³Ô¹ÏÍø™t accepted or accepted conditionally may reapply without penalty in future admissions cycles.
    • Denied 91³Ô¹ÏÍø“ Candidate is not selected for admission to the current cohort for the current admissions cycle. Candidates that are denied admission may reapply without penalty in future admissions cycles.

Candidates will be notified of their status following the committee review. This may or may not be before the end of the admissions cycle but will be well in advance of the matriculation date. USM Graduate Admissions will send the first notice of the applicant91³Ô¹ÏÍø status. The PA Program Admissions committee may also call accepted or accepted (conditional) candidates after notification by USM Graduate Admissions.

 

If accredited, the USM PA program will publish a summary of Admissions statistics and class profile information following matriculation of the first cohort of students in 2027.