Undergraduate students nearing the completion of sophomore year at Mississippi State University (MSU) who meet the early admission criteria are eligible for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Early-Acceptance Program (PAEaP).
The PAEaP aims to recruit top-performing students to provide a direct pathway into the MSU PA Program. The early acceptance program is committed to offering enrichment activities, including tailored mentorship, academic support, and professional enrichment opportunities to prepare students for success in the rigorous PA program curriculum. Ultimately, the program seeks to cultivate a dedicated cohort of future physician assistants who are committed to addressing the healthcare needs of Mississippi.
Early-Acceptance
Early Acceptance Students (EAS) are individuals who have completed three semesters and are currently enrolled at Mississippi State University. Applications to the PAEaP must be submitted through the online portal between October 1 and January 1. EAS who meet the progression and retention criteria outlined below will be eligible to enroll in the MSU Physician Assistant program during the designated application cycle.
The Early Acceptance Program allows EAS to participate in professional activities alongside the Physician Assistant Studies program faculty and upperclassmen. By entering through early acceptance, EAS bypass the competitive selection process required of regular-admission applicants. All tuition, fees, policies, and procedures in effect for the EAS’s year of matriculation will apply, and these may differ from the information available at the time of acceptance into the program.
Benefits of the Early-Acceptance Program
- Professional enrichment activities
- Waived GRE requirement
- Waived competitive graduate application process
- PA student mentorship
- PA faculty advising
- Support establishing shadow experience
- Support obtaining clinical experience
Criteria for Application Early Acceptance
Current Mississippi State University students with sophomore standing who wish to be considered for early-acceptance status must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Three semesters of continuous enrollment at MSU
- ACT score of 27 or greater or SAT score of 1260 or greater.
- Cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.35 or higher on a 4.0 scale through the first three semesters of full-time MSU undergraduate enrollment. Students with incomplete coursework are ineligible for application.
- Demonstrate leadership and community service involvement.
- Demonstrate collegiate math and science success in coursework. Advanced Placement coursework will not be accepted.
- Two biology courses (BIO prefix), 2 chemistry courses (CH or BCH prefix), and one math (MA) course are required for application. Minimum course requirements are listed below.
- BIO 1134 or equivalent with lab if applicable
- BIO 1144 or equivalent with lab if applicable
- BIO 2103 or equivalent with lab if applicable or BIO 3304 or equivalent with lab if applicable
- CH 1213 or equivalent with lab if applicable
- CH 1223 or equivalent with lab if applicable
- MA1313 equivalent or higher coursework.
*The Admissions Committee evaluates each course for prerequisite competencies prior to admission and holds ultimate authority in determining an applicant's achievement of those prerequisite competencies.
Evaluation of additional required components will include:
- Interview with PA faculty
- Writing submission: The student will submit a written strategic plan in narrative form that outlines a personal plan to prepare for the academic rigor of PA school during the interval period leading to matriculation to PA school; the maximum word count is 1250 words.
- Scholastic and non-scholastic extracurricular and service activities
Application Process
- To be considered for early acceptance, a student must submit an application and all required components between October 1 and January 1 to the online portal of each year.
- A non-refundable application fee of $50 must accompany each application.
- Official transcripts for coursework outside MSU, if applicable
- Each application will receive a wholistic review, assessing the student’s preparedness and plan for preparedness for a rigorous graduate medical education program.
- After screening, select applicants will be invited to interview.
- Upon completion of interviews, offers for early-admission will be extended.
- To reserve a seat, an initial non-refundable seat deposit of $750 will be required, which will be applied to the student's first-semester tuition; the deposit must be made within 10 business days of the seat offer to retain admission eligibility.
Progression
To retain status as an EAS, the following conditions must be met. Academic performance is reviewed at the end of each semester to ensure these standards are maintained.
- By June 30th of the acceptance year of the PAEaP, the student must submit the following requirements for accepted applicants The requirements comply with the requirements of the affiliate clinical sites of the program.
- Medical clearance from a medical provider with a completed health form.
- Proof of medical insurance.
- Attestation to meeting Technical Standards (link provided).
- Proof of compliance with CDC recommendations for vaccination and health screening of health care workers (link provided).
- Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
- Maintain continuous, full-time enrollment at Mississippi State University, completing at least 12 hours in each regular semester session.
- All required courses must be taken at Mississippi State University or another approved educational institution. Requests for approval must be submitted in writing to the Admissions Committee, which will allow for a minimum of 30 days to review. Elective courses may be taken at other institutions.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA > 3.35, reviewed at the end of each academic year.
- Complete a minimum of 10 shadowing hours per year with a total of 30 hours at the time of CASPA application submission.
- Full participation in professional enrichment activities as scheduled. The Admissions Committee will define full participation requirements for scheduled opportunities.
- Any student with an honor code or student code of conduct violation will be ineligible for matriculation into the PA program.
Matriculation
To advance to the graduate phase of the Physician Assistant Studies Program, early-acceptance students must
- Meet criteria for PAEaP progression and retention without approved interruption.
- Participate as a PA Ambassador at MSU.
- Submit an application to the MSU PA program through the CASPA portal by June 15 of the correlating application cycle.
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of > 3.35.
- Achieve a minimum letter grade of B in all prerequisite courses.
- The second nonrefundable seat deposit installment of $750 is due June 15th, before the expected matriculation year. The sum of both seat deposits, totaling $1500, is applied to the student’s first-semester tuition.
- Complete a minimum of 10 shadowing hours per year with a total of 30 hours at the time of CASPA application submission.
- Complete a minimum of 120 hours of direct patient care experience at the time of CASPA application.
- Full participation is required in enrichment activities as scheduled in the early-admission program. Excused absence for extenuating circumstances may be approved by the Admissions Committee, and alternate activities may be required.
- Update all documentation and requirements for admission into the program at this Admissions link.
Admission into the Physician Assistant Program
Upon completing a bachelor’s degree, the required prerequisites, and meeting the necessary progression and retention criteria, students will be eligible for admission to the MSU Physician Assistant Studies Program. Prior to admission, students must fulfill all standard administrative requirements*, including a physical examination, immunizations, and health screenings per CDC guidelines for healthcare workers, a criminal background check, a urine drug screen, and obtaining an American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification. Despite early acceptance, students must also submit a CASPA application during their graduation year.
Once admitted to the professional phase of the PA program, students must comply with the progression and retention criteria specified in the MSU Physician Assistant Program Student Handbook.
Mississippi State University's authorized representatives agree to adhere to these guidelines for the early-admission program, ensuring no changes are made without mutual consent. Either party may terminate this agreement with a minimum notice period of six (6) months, effective June 30 of the admissions cycle year, while allowing currently enrolled students to continue their studies.
*Administrative requirements, including technical standards, vaccinations, and health screenings are required per the Student Handbook of the year of matriculation.
Get In Touch
Email: pa@meridian.msstate.edu
Phone: (601) 696-2320