Admission to the Physician Assistant Program

Admission to the physician assistant program at Delaware Valley University is offered after a holistic review of an applicant’s qualifications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the most recent matriculating class profile which reflects the academic and experiential characteristics of admitted students, though meeting these characteristics does not guarantee an interview or admission. Historically, competitive applicants have demonstrated strong academic performance and sustained, meaningful engagement in direct patient care roles. 

Applications are reviewed for:

• Academic achievement (performance and rigor of preparation)
• Prior health care and work experience
• Personal characteristics and life experience
• Interest in the greater Delaware Valley region
• A commitment to health care and service

Academic performance must demonstrate a readiness for rigorous, graduate-level physician assistant training and is reviewed across multiple metrics including overall GPA and science GPA. Applicants with lower cumulative GPAs may remain competitive if supported by demonstrated upward academic trends. Junior- and senior-year, postbaccalaureate, graduate and prerequisite GPAs are considered as part of the holistic review. Shadowing and volunteer/service activities are also evaluated.

The program does not require:

• A minimum GPA
• Standardized test scores
• Minimum number of patient care hours

All admissions decisions are made in accordance with university and program policy and procedure. 

The University’s PA program participates in the CASPA application service and requires a completed CASPA application. 

Important dates in the admissions process are as follows:

• CASPA Start Date: Late April yearly
• DelVal Application Deadline: April 1, year of planned matriculation
• Interviews are typically conducted in July, September, November, February, and April. Offers of admission will be offered on a rolling basis after each interview cycle until the cohort is filled. In the event the cohort is filled prior to an interview cycle, qualified applicants will be invited to interview for a spot on the program’s waitlist. Applicants will be notified prior to their interview if this is the case. Interview invitations are extended to applicants demonstrating strong overall alignment across multiple domains evaluated on a structured rubric in which higher scores are granted for higher GPAs or experience hours.
• Offers of admission will be offered on a rolling basis.

How to Apply to the Physician Assistant Program

We accept applications through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The University begins processing applications for the following academic year in late April.

The following are required for admission to the program:

• Completed and verified CASPA application. There is no supplemental application.
• A bachelor's degree (conferred prior to the date of matriculation)
• Three letters of recommendation. At least one must be from a PA or physician.
• Interview (by invitation only) addressing commitment to and knowledge of the PA profession, commitment to inclusive care, overall life and work experiences, academic readiness, decision-making skills, emotional awareness, professionalism and communication skills.
• Ability to meet the Program’s defined Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• You must have completed the following pre-requisites at a U.S. regionally-accredited institution within the past 10 years before admission:

While required for admission, prerequisites do not take the place of any coursework in the program’s curriculum and advanced placement is not granted by the Program.

• Anatomy and Physiology - two semesters
  • Anatomy semesters + Physiology semesters OR Anatomy and Physiology I + Anatomy and Physiology II
• Microbiology
• Additional upper-level biology coursework - two courses.
  • Biochemistry, Genetics (Strongly Recommended)
  • Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology (Accepted)
• Chemistry- two courses
  • Organic Chemistry (required)
  • Additional accepted courses: Introduction to Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and others.
• Psychology - one course
• Statistics - one course
• If granted admission to the PA Program, all students must submit required health clearances and background checks prior to matriculation. These requirements include, but may not be limited to:
  • Up-to-date vaccinations based on the most current CDC guidelines for health-care professionals, including: influenza, initial COVID-19 series, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, and Tdap. Specific immunization requirements for each entering cohort are made readily available to incoming students prior to matriculation through CastleBranch. Exemptions are processed through student health.
  • Annual physical examination
  • Tuberculosis screening
  • Urine drug screen
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse & Criminal Background results
  • FBI Fingerprinting