The Admissions Committee has established policies that include the selection of applicants best qualified to serve the public and the profession in the years to come. Many factors are considered in selecting students for our program, including:

  • academic performance
  • motivation
  • extracurricular activities and interests
  • related and unrelated work experience
  • personal achievements
  • essay
  • letters of evaluation
  • communication skills, including a demonstrated command of the English language, both written and oral

When evaluating academic performance, the applicant’s grade point average, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, performance in prerequisite courses, number of college science course credits completed, degree status and accrued hours of direct patient care experience are taken into consideration.

Admissions Selection Process - Physician Assistant Program

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Individuals successfully meeting the required admissions selection criteria may receive an invitation to visit our campus for an interview, which provides further insight into the applicant’s character and motivation, and allows an applicant the opportunity to meet with an Admissions staff member to discuss their application, tour our campus and meet with faculty and students.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND MATRICULATION FEE

An applicant may be notified of their acceptance as early as August, prior to the desired year of enrollment. Upon receipt of acceptance, an applicant is required to pay a $1,000 matriculation fee to the University prior to the start of classes, payable as follows:
  • Return the matriculation form along with a $500 deposit within 14 days of the date of the acceptance letter. 
  • The balance of $500 for the matriculation fee is due April 1.
  • All monies received above are non-refundable and will be applied toward first term fees.

Immunization, background check & compliance requirements

All students admitted to the Salus University Physician Assistant Program are required to have a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, annual health clearances, fingerprinting and drug screening. Information will be provided by the Office of Student Affairs regarding this process. Students are responsible for all fees associated with these clearance protocols.

Students will be responsible for uploading their required documentation via CastleBranch, an online-tracking system, and monitoring their compliance records to ensure that all information remains current and accurate. Clinical sites which require such clearances may deny a student’s participation in a clinical experience based on the results of these clearances.

As participation in clinical experiences is a required component of the curriculum and a requirement for graduation, denial by a clinical site may result in a delay of graduation, or the inability to graduate from the Program, or obtain certification or licensure as a healthcare professional. 

 

Advanced PLACEMENT or Transfer Credit 

The Salus University Physician Assistant Program does not grant advanced placement based upon transfer of credits for academic work completed at other institutions of higher learning or prior experiential learning. All courses within the curriculum are required.

Matriculating students who have withdrawn or been dismissed from the Program may be awarded advanced placement depending upon the designed remediation plan related to their readmission.

deferment of Admission 

An accepted student to the Salus University Physician Assistant program with an unforeseen, extenuating circumstance prohibiting them from matriculating may request a deferment of admission in writing. The request must be directed to both the Dean of Students and the PA Program Director, and made via the Office of Admissions. 

For deferment consideration, the following is required:

  • A deferment request submitted in writing by May 15, before the August start of the academic year. Please note, submission of a deferral request by the deadline does not guarantee approval.
  • Official documentation verifying the condition.
  • All non-refundable deposit fees and the matriculation supplement must be received (as directed in the University’s official Letter of Acceptance.)
If deferment is approved:
  • Admission will be extended to August matriculation of the next academic year.
  • A deferment will not extend beyond one admission cycle.
  • The student must contact the Office of Admissions, in writing, by April 1st of the deferred admission calendar year regarding his/her intention to resume enrollment.
  • The student will be required to meet with a member of the Admissions Committee prior to matriculation.

If a deferral request is denied:

  • A student has the option to withdraw acceptance from the Program, or reapply through CASPA for future admission. 

For questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@salus.edu.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Enrolled students who withdraw or are dismissed from the University will be responsible for the payment of tuition in accordance with the institutional refund schedule.