Physician Assistant Pathway Year Four Requirements

By the end of year four, students pursuing the PA Pathway must complete the following requirements:

HPS Retention Requirements:
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.5; GPA may not fall below a 3.25 in any semester
  • Accumulate at least 500 hours of clinical observation, health-related volunteer experience, internship, or direct (hands-on) patient healthcare experience
  • Receive positive supervisor evaluation at clinical observation site
  • Continue active membership in at least one student health care organization (i.e. Pre-PA Society)
  • Attend at least one group advisement session conducted by the HPS Committee
  • Provide evidence of endorsement of MSU Public Affairs Mission through completion of a minimum of 30 hours of community service (please note - hours completed as part of service learning or for the purposes of scholarship renewal will be counted)

PA Pathway Requirements:
  • Ensure all PA prerequisites have been completed by the end of year four
  • Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to apply to the program
  • Complete the minimum 500 hours of clinical experience (students may apply a maximum of 50 observation hours toward that total)
  • Prepare and submit application to MSU PA Program using CASPA (remember, the PA program at MSU begins in January)