Admission Requirements
There are two admission routes to the program:
- TRADITIONAL PATH
- DIRECT ENTRY PATH (for qualified high school students who maintain certain standards during their undergraduate career)
In addition, please see the additional considerations for admission that pertain to all students entering the program:
TRADITIONAL PATH
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Science GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite coursework taken at a regionally accredited institution. (All science coursework must be less than seven years old upon matriculation into the program.)
• English Composition or equivalent
• Statistics
• General Psychology
• Medical Terminology
• General Biology with lab (one full year)
• General Chemistry with lab (one full year)
• Organic Chemistry (at least one semester or two quarters)
• Microbiology with lab
• Anatomy & Physiology with lab (one full year) (May be separate courses or combined in a series, ie. A & P I and A & P II)- Three letters of reference - one must be from an MD/DO or PA-C
• Letters cannot be from family members
• It is suggested to include at least one letter from an academic professor/advisor and one from an employer (if applicable)
Preferential consideration will be given for the following:
- Applicants interested in working in rural settings
- Applicants with healthcare experience
- Applicants currently living in Kansas and Oklahoma
- Undergraduates from Southwestern College (Kansas)
- U.S. Veterans
The program does not offer advanced placement based on academic or professional experience.
Application Process
Students will apply to the program through CASPA beginning in April. The deadline for application will be in July. Competitive applicants will be invited to complete a supplemental application (no charge) to determine fulfillment of the prerequisite coursework. In-person interviews will be conducted between August – December. If an offer for admission is made, a $1000.00 non-refundable deposit(*) is required to reserve a seat. Upon matriculation, the deposit is applied to tuition costs.
(*) The College has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and anticipates matriculating its first class, a cohort of up to 40, in January 2027, pending the achievement of “Accreditation – Provisional” status at the June 2026 ARC-PA Commission 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 the program is not granted accreditation, all deposits will be fully refunded.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION INFORMATION - Traditional Path
Degree Requirements
A bachelor’s degree or higher is required for admission. All degrees must be conferred by regionally accredited institutions within the United States. Degree completion must occur prior to matriculation. All admission offers are contingent upon completion of any outstanding coursework or degree requirements.
Overall and Science GPA
The minimum overall and science GPA requirement is a 3.0. All GPAs are calculated by CASPA. Please review CASPA policies regarding GPA calculation, which may differ from individual institutional policies. The program does not recalculate GPAs for coursework completed after submission of the CASPA application. The program will publish the average GPAs for each cohort.
Prerequisite Coursework
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all prerequisite coursework. All science courses must include a laboratory component and must be less than seven years old at the time of matriculation. The program does not pre-approve coursework, nor does it typically grant exceptions for substitutions. For example, the program would not accept a 400-level genetics course as a substitution for the general biology requirement. Coursework evaluations are only performed once a candidate is invited to complete the supplemental application. At that time, the program will work with the candidate to ensure all coursework has been met. The program accepts AP credit for courses if it is listed on the college transcript. Prerequisite coursework may be pending at the time of application and interview. Admission offers are contingent upon completion of any outstanding coursework by the time of matriculation.
Applicants from Rural Settings
Rural will be determined using the guidelines from the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for purposes of rural grant eligibility. Applicants asked to complete the supplemental application will be asked to provide the zip code of the high school they graduated from. For those graduating high school more than four years ago, the current residence zip code will be used.
Healthcare Experience
Healthcare experience is preferred but not required. The program does not specify what constitutes healthcare experience. Common examples include hospital transporter, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, nursing assistant, and scribe experience. Examples that do not qualify are administrative duties such as answering phones or stocking supplies. Experiences may be paid or voluntary. While shadowing PAs may offer an opportunity to learn about the profession, it is not required for admission and does not count as healthcare experience. Total experience hours, less than 500 hours are not considered.
Foreign Students/Medical Graduates:
Foreign graduates must submit and undergo transcript review through World Education Services (WES). This will determine that the degree requirement has been met. All prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally-accredited institution within the United States. If English is not one’s primary language, the TOEFL must be completed with a score of 100 or higher. WES evaluations and TOEFL scores should be submitted to CASPA.
DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAM
The Direct Entry Program is designed for qualified high school students who declare specific undergraduate majors.
- To be considered, students must meet designated GPA and ACT/SAT requirements.
- Once admitted to the program, students are required to maintain a minimum 3.7 undergraduate GPA and successfully complete all prerequisite coursework.
- Students who meet these criteria are guaranteed admission to the Physician Assistant program upon graduation and are not required to apply through the traditional CASPA process.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION CONSIDERATIONS
These additional admission considerations are required for all students regardless of the pathway by which they’ve entered the program.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
Students must meet the technical standards required by the program. Each student will submit a form signed by a medical provider confirming their ability to do so.
Southwestern College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities, while maintaining the academic integrity of its programs. Students needing accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services. The College does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
1. General
Students must be able to use vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell to accurately collect and interpret information essential to evaluating patients, clients, and community members.
2. Observational
Students must observe and interpret information in lecture halls, labs, clinical settings, and in interactions with others—both up close and at a distance. This includes recognizing nonverbal cues and physical changes.
3. Communication
Students must communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written English. This includes adjusting communication styles to fit the needs of diverse individuals and settings.
4. Motor Skills
Students must demonstrate sufficient motor function and coordination to perform exams, procedures, and operate equipment. Physical stamina is essential for classroom and clinical responsibilities, including extended periods of sitting, standing, and moving.
5. Intellectual and Analytical
Students must apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess information, understand spatial relationships, and make sound decisions. They should integrate research, peer input, and instruction into professional judgment.
6. Behavioral and Social
Students must show emotional stability, empathy, integrity, and adaptability. They should build professional relationships, manage stress, accept feedback, and function effectively in dynamic environments.
HEALTH & IMMUNIZATIONS
In accordance with ARC-PA Standard A3.07(a), all students enrolled in the Physician Associate Program are required to comply with the program’s Immunization and Health Screening Policy, which is based on the most current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for healthcare personnel and any applicable state-mandated health requirements.
This policy applies to all students throughout the didactic and clinical phases of the program and is a condition of matriculation, participation in clinical experiences, and progression through the curriculum.
At a minimum, students must provide documentation of the following, in accordance with CDC and state guidance:
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
- Hepatitis B (including titer for immunity)
- Tuberculosis (baseline 2-step TST or IGRA, followed by annual screening)
- Seasonal Influenza (annually)
- COVID-19 vaccination (including boosters, as required by state or site-specific mandates)
Highly recommended vaccines:
- Meningococcal
Students who fail to demonstrate positive antibody titers for MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B must follow CDC recommendations for re-immunization.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Students enrolling in the PA program must provide their own personal health insurance while a student at Southwestern College. Proof of insurance will be required prior to participating in any clinical experience. Neither the College nor clinical affiliates cover student health-related incidents.
DRUG TESTING
The PA program at Southwestern College recognizes its responsibility to maintain a drug-free educational environment and to ensure that students provide safe, high-quality healthcare services. All new students will be subject to substance abuse testing as part of the pre-enrollment health requirements.
As guests in the healthcare facilities, students will be subject to the policies of the agency, which may include random urine testing. If drug or alcohol usage is detected in the clinical settings, students will be tested at the clinical agency, in accordance with agency policies. Detection of drug or alcohol usage while in the clinical setting will result in dismissal from the PA program.
CRIMINAL RECORD AND BACKGROUND CHECKS
When applying to the Physician Assistant (PA) program through CASPA, applicants must disclose any misdemeanor or felony convictions that have not been expunged or sealed. A criminal record that remains unsealed or unexpunged may make a candidate ineligible for enrollment at Southwestern College.
Background Checks
All admitted students must complete:
- A civilian and federal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation (BCI&I)
- Additional background checks may be required before taking the PANCE exam or for future employment
Instructions and forms will be provided after admission.
Important Considerations
Even if a record has been expunged or sealed, it may still affect:
- Clinical placement opportunities
- Professional licensure, depending on state-specific regulations
Licensing boards assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Students are encouraged to research licensure requirements in the state where they plan to practice.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE PROGRAM
Employment is highly discouraged for all physician associate students. The 24-month program, comprised of lectures, laboratories, and clinical rotations, is a rigorous and demanding curriculum that requires a significant commitment to study and work within the program, leaving minimal opportunity for part-time employment. Accommodations will not be made for employment obligations during the program.
