Application Process
All applicants for admission to the LSUHSC-New Orleans Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program must submit their applications through CASPA (www.caspaonline.org). Please see Applicant Resources on the menu for in-depth information.
Initial CASPA application must be completed and verified by CASPA and received by the LSUHSC-NO Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program by the dead line date. Please review the CASPA website carefully.
Application Cycle
- Please monitor PA website and CASPA website for application open date
- The application will close August 1st unless explicitly stated on our website.
All application materials must be submitted through CASPA. No letters, applications or transcripts will be accepted by any additional means.
Standardized Examination
Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT):
All applicants seeking admission to the LSUHSC-NO PA Program are highly encouraged to take the PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admission Test). The PA-CAT is a specialized test designed to measure applicant knowledge in key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school. For information about the PA-CAT and to schedule your exam, visit their website at www.PA-CAT.com
Step 1: Go to www.PA-CAT.com to register, pay and schedule your exam date for the PA-CAT.
- Ensure Louisiana State University - New Orleans is selected as the institution to receive your score report in your PA-CAT Candidate Portal.
- It is highly recommended you take the PA-CAT in April, May or July. This will allow your score report to be received prior to August 1st deadline.
Step 2: Study for the PA-CAT with resources provided on their website: www.PA-CAT.com
Graduate Record Examination Test (GRE):
The LSUHSC-NO PA Program does not require the GRE examination. If the applicant chooses to take the exam, the program requires that the scores are submitted to CASPA and verified by the August 1st deadline. When filling out the application, you will be asked for an Institutional Code. The institutional code for LSUHSC-NO is 0202.
If the applicant chooses to take the GRE, the program recommends a minimum score of 153 verbal, 144 quantitative, and 3.5 on the analytical writing components of the GRE General Test to be competitive with others in the overall applicant pool.
Applications are eliminated for the following reasons:
- Failure to submit an application, have it verified, and mailed through CASPA by the deadline posted on the LSUHSC-NO Master of Physician Assistant Studies website
- Failure of application verification and mailing by CASPA by the published deadline
- Aptitude scores and grade point averages that do not reach the required minimums
- Missing transcripts or letters of recommendation
- Inability to complete course prerequisites prior to matriculation
- Failure to meet and or maintain the program technical standards
- Failure to accumulate 80 hours minimum of healthcare experience
- Failure to complete either GRE or PA-CAT