John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences

Admission Requirements and Recommendations

Baccalaureate Degree

Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution in the United States or a graduate degree from the United States by July 15 of the year of matriculation. No specific discipline or major is required. 

Required Preparatory Coursework

Courses must be 3-credit (semester) or 4.5-credit (quarter) credit hours in length. Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States within the last 7 years (from date of application)

  • Human Anatomy (as a single course or part of a two-semester combined anatomy and physiology course)
  • Physiology as a single course or part of a two-semester combined anatomy and physiology course)
  • Biology*
  • Microbiology*
  • General Chemistry (with lab) *
  • Organic Chemistry (with lab) * or Biochemistry
  • Psychology
  • Statistics or biostatistics
  • Medical Terminology

* Must be for science majors 

Recommended Preparatory Coursework

Additional upper-level courses in the sciences are recommended but not required. Secondary social and biological science courses such as abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, embryology, histology, or immunology are highly encouraged to provide a strong foundation. 

List of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University courses that meet the prerequisite requirements 

Central Application Service for Physician Assistants

The NC A&T PA program will participate in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) online application process. Applicants must complete a CASPA application and submit a NC A&T supplemental application and applicant fee. 

Letters of Recommendation

Three recommendation letters are required. Letters of recommendation from a clinician or individual who can speak to the applicant's readiness for a career in the health professions are strongly preferred. Letters from prior employers, professional colleagues, and mentors are also acceptable. Letters of recommendation should speak directly to the applicant's alignment with the mission and goals of our program. Letters of recommendation should be received in CASPA by July 15 in order to be considered. 

Personal Statement

Applicants are invited to submit a general personal statement through the CASPA application. There will also be a supplemental question(s). 

Direct Patient Care

Evidence of a minimum 1000 direct patient contact hours. 

Standardized Testing

GRE

Completion of the GRE is required for your application to be eligible for review. 

MCAT, PA-CAT, or CASPer

Completion of the, MCAT, or PA-CAT will be accepted but are not required in order for applications to be eligible for review. 

Interview

After reviewing applications, the Admissions Committee invites qualified applicants to participate in two virtual interviews and an in-person interview where applicants will have an opportunity to tour the campus and meet faculty and staff. 

Acceptance

After the interviews, our Admissions Committee conducts a final review and will notify candidates of their decision.