No. Classes are taken as a single cohort and there are no advanced standing or transfer credits permitted for the program.

This is a very intense program, and students are strongly discouraged from working while enrolled. There are a number of evening and weekend activities as well as the demands of the program that will not permit time for employment. Students are not allowed to work for the PC Physician Assistant Program.

No. This is a full-time program only.

Not at this time. However, we will re-evaluate this for future classes. Presbyterian College does, however, have a very strong undergraduate degrees that will prepare students for the rigors of the PA program. The College also offers an accelerated biology degree that may fulfill most of the PA program prerequisites. Finely, the College offers concentrations in pre-med and pre-PA studies.

Students will be expected to provide a laptop and smartphone or other devices with the capabilities to download medical applications.

There are targeted opportunities to shadow clinicians during the first year to provide students with early experiences in the healthcare field. This will also help strengthen didactic learning.

Rotations will be scheduled by the PA program. Students can help determine their preferences for geography and clinical settings; however, students are not permitted to schedule their own clinical rotations.

Students will perform rotations with affiliated clinical sites. Note, many rotations are local, but students may go anywhere in the country depending on needs and availability.

No. We have people from many faiths that attend our College and we welcome everyone to the campus and enrollment at Presbyterian College. Our college does have a strong Christian faith-based component and as such, there are many religious ministries available on campus. Presbyterian College is committed to nurturing an inclusive environment that fosters mutual respect for all members of our campus.

No. Students are required to maintain their own health insurance for the duration of the program.

No, paid healthcare experience is not required, however, to be competitive it is highly encouraged. Healthcare experience can be on a volunteer basis and applicants are strongly encouraged to be very detailed in their description of healthcare experience in their CASPA application. While optional, you may complete the following  Shadowing or Healthcare Experience Hours Form and submit with your application.

All students must have received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States with a 3.2  science and 3.2 overall GPA or better on a 4.0 scale. Due to federal regulations, all international students entering the United States on an F-1 Visa are required to prepay their tuition before registering for classes. International students are not eligible for time-payment plans.

Offers of acceptance are valid for the current entering class only. However, deferrals are considered only for military reasons, and each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

No, we do not favor any groups or individuals for admission. However, those who have completed all prerequisite requirements at time of application submission will be provided preference for interview selection. The PA program encourages all applicants with various life experiences to apply. Attributes beyond the minimum requirements will be considered during the interview and application review process.

All Presbyterian College students and graduates who meet the minimum requirements at the time of application will be granted an interview. If the minimum requirements are met after all interviews have concluded, Presbyterian College students and graduates will not be granted an interview for the application cycle.

All prospective students must be honest about their criminal record. Background checks will be performed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and CastleBranch. Presbyterian College PA Program has the right to deny enrollment based on previous convictions or false information. Appeals to any information found during the background check or drug screen must be made directly through CastleBranch according to their listed policies and procedures. All cases will be reviewed individually.

Applicants are notified of an admission decision within two calendar weeks following your interview date. Upon acceptance, the candidate has two weeks to submit a $1,500.00 non-refundable matriculation deposit to secure his or her seat in the program. If the deposit is not received in the required time, the individual will lose his or her seat in the program. Deposit, tuition, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Once accepted, the PA program will provide resources to help you prepare for entering PA school. After you have completed the prerequisites, consider doing additional clinical observation or work beyond the minimum required for the program.

Given the large number of applications received we cannot provide individual counseling to prospective students before application. Therefore, please note that the PA Program does not offer individual transcript or application reviews or recommendations, CASPA application assistance, academic advising, prerequisite evaluation or verification, or individualized application counseling for prospective students. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize the Prerequisite Checklist and consult their undergraduate academic advisor for guidance on specific application concerns and/or questions.

No.

CASPA recommends having your application completed 4-6 weeks prior to the deadline. All applications received by April 1st will be reviewed and considered for interview. However, given we practice rolling admissions we recommend that you apply as early as possible as seats may be limited closer to the end of the application cycle.

The GRE is required; while there is no minimum GRE score your performance on the GRE is considered in the application review process. GRE scores must be sent directly to the CASPA system from ETS. Presbyterian College GRE code is 2176.

CASPA does their overall GPA calculation based on every course taken, including repeated courses. Presbyterian College uses the overall and science GPAs as calculated by CASPA. Presbyterian College takes the newer or better grade for your prerequisite coursework.

No. An application will not be reviewed until it is made available to us as a complete, verified application by CASPA. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact CASPA directly to verify the receipt of all application materials by CASPA and the current status of his/her application.

Admission to the PC PA program is very competitive and it is important that if you choose to go elsewhere that you promptly notify the PC PA program of your decision. As stated in the CASPA application disclosures, CASPA provides matriculation and enrollment information to the PC PA program. In accordance with CASPA guidelines, you are required to notify the PC PA program within five (5) calendar days of enrolling in another PA program indicating that you no longer wish to be considered for admission..

If the PC PA program receives matriculation or enrollment information from CASPA, you will be notified via email and given 72 hours to respond. Failure to respond, or confirmation that you have matriculated elsewhere within the same application cycle, will result in the revocation of your admission to the PC PA program, including the automatic forfeiture of any deposit paid (if applicable) and/or withdrawal of your application from consideration.

If discrepancies are identified in CASPA records, the PC PA program may request official documentation from another institution to verify non-matriculation.

No. However, preference for interview will be provided to those that have completed all prerequisites at the time of application review. Therefore, it is highly encouraged that you continue to update your application after submission if you have missing requirements. Despite interview or acceptance status, each prerequisite course must be successfully completed with a grade of “B-” or higher, except Organic Chemistry which must be completed with a C- or high, prior to July 31st of the year of matriculation into the PA program. You must indicate on the CASPA application which courses you still need to complete and the terms in which you plan to complete them.

If the prerequisites are not complete by July 31st of the year of matriculation, you will not be permitted to enter the program.

You are permitted to take prerequisite courses at another college, community college, or through online classes if the college/university is regionally accredited in the United States. We do not accept credits from online programs that are not directly accredited to provide college level course credit. In person science and lab courses, when applicable, are preferred.