PA Admissions and Program - Frequently Asked Questions

No, you can apply with courses in progress. However, all prerequisite coursework must be completed by the time of matriculation, and documentation of successful completion must be submitted as requested by the program.

No, all prerequisite coursework must be completed within 10 years prior to the expected matriculation date to ensure recent foundational knowledge. You may need to retake courses that fall outside this timeframe.

No. All prerequisite courses must have a letter grade, with a minimum grade of "C" required.

Yes, if you took AP credits in high school and your college or university accepted those credits, and they are listed on your transcript, the PA program will accept AP credits.

Coursework completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an accredited credential evaluation service, such as World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must confirm equivalency to U.S. academic standards. Additionally, all prerequisite courses must meet the program's grade and content requirements.

If your foreign coursework does not meet the program’s prerequisites or has not been completed within the past 10 years, you may need to retake those courses at a U.S. regionally accredited institution to fulfill the requirements.

Yes, clinical experience obtained in another country can count toward the 350-hour requirement if it involves hands-on, direct patient care. Documentation must clearly detail your role and responsibilities.

No. The PA program does not offer advanced placement for any applicant, including foreign medical graduates. All students are required to complete the full PA curriculum as outlined by ARC-PA standards.

Yes, transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be officially translated into English and evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an accredited credential evaluation service.

Yes, but all coursework must be evaluated for equivalency. If deficiencies are identified, additional coursework may be required at a U.S. institution before applying.

While foreign medical graduates are welcome to apply, no preference is given based on previous medical training. The admissions process is holistic and evaluates all applicants based on academic performance, healthcare experience, community service, and alignment with the program's values.

International students must have a valid visa to study in the U.S. The PA program does not provide visa sponsorship, so applicants are responsible for securing appropriate documentation prior to matriculation.

Yes, if your undergraduate degree was completed in a non-English-speaking country, you must submit official scores from the TOEFL or IELTS. Only exams taken within the past two years will be accepted. For additional information, please visit: https://sites.rowan.edu/international/englishlanguagepolicy.html 

The TOEFL/IELTS score requirement is waived if you meet at least one of the exemptions below with appropriate documentation:

1. You have satisfactorily completed (earning a grade of “B” or higher ) in at least 24 semester credit hours (not including ESL classes) at an accredited college or university in the US or a country where English is the official language and the medium of instruction.
2. You have completed Rowan’s Intensive English Language Program (IELP) within the past two years before the semester’s start date.
3. Your credential evaluation states that you have earned the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree and that the language of instruction was English.
4. You graduated from a school in a country where English is the prevailing language (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), even if the credential evaluation fails to state the language of instruction.

Yes. For additional information visit: https://sites.rowan.edu/international/admissions/admissions_policies.html 

Unfortunately, applicants must meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Applicants who do not meet this threshold will not be considered for admission.

If you retake a course, the higher grade will be used to calculate your GPA for the prerequisite GPA. Your cumulative GPA will be calculated by CASPA.

No. Shadowing hours are not considered direct patient care. The 350 hours must involve hands-on, direct interaction with patients in a healthcare setting.

Volunteer hours may count toward the 350-hour requirement only if they involve direct, hands-on patient care. For example, volunteering as a medical assistant or at a clinic where you interact directly with patients is acceptable.

No. Community service hours must be from structured volunteer or service activities and cannot include unpaid family responsibilities such as babysitting or helping family members.

No. Community service hours required for academic coursework will not be counted.

While a science professor is strongly preferred, if it is not possible, you should reach out to the admissions team to discuss potential options.

Yes, a supervisor from a volunteer position can write a letter of recommendation, provided they can speak to your professional behavior, skills, and suitability for the program.

The PA program requires three letters of recommendation, one from a science professor, a supervisor or manager, and the last one from the applicant’s choice. None of the three letters should be from a family member, or close personal friend.

• Any science professor that you have completed coursework with could write you a letter of recommendation. 
• Any supervisor or manager you have ever worked with could write you a letter of recommendation. The person you ask to write you a letter should be someone who knows you well, and has or had a direct supervisory role over you. A great example would be your supervisor where you obtained your direct patient contact experience. 
• For the last letter, it could be anyone you wish to write a letter of support for you that you worked with and knows you well. For instance, you could have a coach, a supervising physician, a physician assistant, another science professor, a non-science instructor, an advisor, a researcher, etc.

You should always first contact your academic advisor to assess your specific situation. Academic advisors have a wealth of information that can help you with your specific university or major requirements. 

• Prerequisite science courses taken should be designed for science or math majors. Science major-level prerequisite courses help to ensure adequate preparation for the rigor of PA education. If for example, you had a choice between an Anatomy and Physiology course for biology majors vs. an Anatomy and Physiology course for nursing majors you should take the higher-level biology major option. 
• If given the option, you should also consider taking science courses in person, especially all lab components. Taking in-person science courses and labs is a preference of the Rowan-Virtua SOM PA program. Hands-on learning is essential in PA education, and building a good foundation of these skills in an undergraduate setting could potentially serve you well later in PA school. 
• If you are still unsure of what courses you should take at your college or university, feel free to reach out to our admissions team to help guide you through the options.

It is recommended to submit your application as early as possible, as the program operates on rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received once complete.

Yes, but incomplete applications may not be reviewed until all requirements are met. Delays in completing your application may reduce your chances due to the rolling admissions process.

After your application is complete, pre-screening typically occurs within a few weeks, but may depend upon the number of applications received and timing of submission within the application cycle. If invited to interview, you will be contacted shortly after the review process. Final decisions are generally communicated within two weeks of your interview date.

Due to the rigorous nature of the PA program, students are strongly discouraged from working while enrolled. The program’s schedule is designed to be full-time and demanding.

Tuition and fees vary by academic year. For the most current information, please refer to the Rowan-Virtua PA Cost of Program Completion page or contact the SOM Financial Aid department.

Yes, financial aid and limited scholarships are available. Applicants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and contact the financial aid office for more information.

While the Rowan-Virtua PA program does not have specific housing options, the university offers a variety of on-campus and nearby housing resources. Please visit this Rowan-Virtua SOM Area Page to learn about housing options and a variety of area attractions.

As long as the program obtains provisional accreditation from the ARC-PA, a decision on the program’s accreditation status will be made at the ARC-PA’s March 2026 Agenda meeting,  graduates of the Rowan-Virtua PA program will be eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), provided they successfully complete all program requirements.

No, PA students are covered under the program’s institutional malpractice insurance policy during all program-related clinical and educational activities. Personal malpractice insurance is not required.