Brenau University offers a 28-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in Gainesville, Georgia, with one entering class each January. Applicants apply through CASPA and need a bachelor's degree, qualifying undergraduate and science GPAs, completed prerequisite courses, GRE scores, documented direct patient care and three recommendations. Applicants invited to interview must submit Casper results. The program integrates classroom and clinical training.
- Program
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
- Credential
- MS
- Location
- Gainesville, Georgia, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Length
- 28 months
Casper Requirement for Brenau University Physician Assistant
Brenau University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Applicants invited for an interview must complete Casper and submit their results to Brenau University.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Brenau University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- CASPA
Brenau reviews only complete applications verified by CASPA by its program deadline. Prerequisites, GRE scores and documented patient-care hours are due by that deadline. Admission is not rolling.
Brenau University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: January 2026 applicant pool; January 2025 accepted-class academics
- Applicants: 690 verified applications (1,341 initiated)
- Interviewed: 155 interview invitations
- Admitted: 33 accepted
- Average GPA: January 2025 accepted class: 3.51 cumulative undergraduate; 3.44 science
- Average test score: January 2025 accepted class GRE: 155 verbal, 152 quantitative, 4 analytical writing
Applicant counts and acceptances describe a more recent class than the latest published academic averages.
Eligibility Requirements for Brenau University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Language proficiency
Applicants who graduated from a foreign institution where English was not the primary language of instruction must document 18 U.S. semester hours, including three each in English Composition, English Literature and Public Speaking; the other nine may be electives other than physical education.
Foreign college or university credentials require evaluation for U.S. equivalence by a NACES-accredited agency.
Other requirements
- Technical standards: Accepted candidates must meet the program’s technical standards before entry and throughout training.
- Health documentation and immunizations: Accepted students must document health status, required immunizations and tuberculosis screening; clinical sites may have additional requirements.
- Health insurance: Maintain university-approved coverage while enrolled.
- Drug screening: Pass a drug screen before matriculation; further screening may occur during training.
- Criminal background checks: Complete checks before matriculation and clinical rotations; acceptance depends on the pre-matriculation result.
Selection Factors Brenau University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| College Algebra or higher | 3 semester hours; grade C or better |
| Statistics | 3 semester hours; grade C or better |
| General Psychology or higher | 3 semester hours; grade C or better |
| Biology I with lab | 4 semester hours; grade C or better |
| Biology II with lab | 4 semester hours; grade C or better |
| General Inorganic Chemistry I and II, with labs | 8 semester hours; grade C or better |
| Organic Chemistry I with lab | 4 semester hours; grade C or better |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 semester hours; grade C or better Within 10 years; waivers considered |
| Genetics | 3 semester hours; grade C or better Within 10 years; waivers considered |
| Human Anatomy and Human Physiology, or combined Anatomy and Physiology I and II, with labs | 8 semester hours; grade C or better Within 10 years; waivers considered for current relevant health care or teaching experience |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative undergraduate GPA and overall science GPA, each on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum
- 2.75 cumulative undergraduate and 2.75 overall science
The stated GPAs are minimums for consideration; Brenau evaluates academic preparation individually.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): Submit official scores for all three sections to Brenau University, code 4397, by the application deadline.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Document at least 500 hours of direct patient care by the application deadline with verifiable information. Brenau considers higher totals more competitive.
Supplementary application
Three recommendations: one from a professor or professional or educational contact who has known the applicant for at least six months; one from a PA or physician (MD/DO); and one additional clinical reference from a health care professional. Relatives, friends and personal health care providers cannot serve as references.
How applicants are ranked
The Committee on Admissions reviews verified applications individually, considering motivation, interpersonal skills, understanding of the PA profession, health care experience, academics, recommendations and life experience. Qualified applicants are invited to interview; interviewees are compared with the full applicant pool for offers or a waitlist. Northeast Georgia, rural or underserved ties and military experience receive additional consideration.
Interview Format at Brenau University
Interviews are held on campus and assess interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, altruism and commitment to a PA career. No alternate interview dates are offered.
- Who is invited
- The most qualified applicants are invited after application review.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Brenau University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 28 months
- Structure
A 28-month, 126-credit program integrating didactic and clinical training. Students complete the entire program through Brenau; advanced placement, transfer credit and credit for experiential learning are not granted.
- Campuses
- Gainesville
The clinical phase includes nine assigned rotations, including at least one in a rural or underserved area. Brenau does not allow international rotations.
Campus and facilities
The program is based in Gainesville, Georgia. Students complete the integrated program through Brenau; most or all supervised clinical experiences are within approximately 100 miles of the program.
Tuition and Funding at Brenau University
- Published estimated program tuition: $110,057
- Published estimated program tuition and fees: $118,373.43
Brenau estimates tuition increases of about 2.5% annually; published totals may change. Health insurance and other associated costs are additional.
What Applicants Are Saying
One applicant reported three years as an RN plus medical assisting since 2013, highlighting how sustained experience strengthens applications. Student Doctor Network forums note a diverse interview pool spanning ethnicity, race, age, and backgrounds, and suggest panel or hybrid formats. Students describe a supportive environment with diverse peers. SDN discussions highlight the program's appeal for non-traditional applicants, like those with RN experience.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Brenau University Physician Assistant Application
- Complete each required prerequisite with at least a C; check the recency limits for microbiology, genetics, anatomy and physiology.
- Document at least 500 direct patient-care hours with verifiable information.
- Arrange the three specified recommendations, including a PA or physician reference.
- Take the GRE and arrange official reporting to Brenau, code 4397.
- Allow time for CASPA verification before Brenau’s program deadline.
- If invited to interview, complete Casper and send results to Brenau.
- Prepare examples of patient care, communication, motivation and understanding of the PA profession.
- Use Bright Doctor’s Casper Question Bank if you want additional scenario practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brenau University Physician Assistant
Does Brenau University Physician Assistant program require Casper?
Yes. Applicants invited to interview must complete Casper and submit results to Brenau.
What is the minimum GPA for Brenau University PA program?
At least 2.75 cumulative undergraduate and 2.75 overall science GPA, each on a 4.0 scale.
How many patient care hours for Brenau University Physician Assistant admissions?
At least 500 verifiable hours of direct patient care.
What is the Brenau University PA interview format?
Brenau describes on-campus interviews for qualified applicants but does not specify a panel format.
When does Brenau University PA program matriculate?
One class starts each January; the program lasts 28 months.
CASPA deadline for Brenau University Physician Assistant?
Brenau requires CASPA verification by its program deadline. A dated deadline for the next application window has not been published.
Does Brenau University PA require references?
Yes: one qualifying academic or professional reference, one PA or physician, and one additional clinical reference.
Brenau University PA program length?
28 months, integrating didactic and clinical training.
Sources
- Brenau PA Admission & Tuition
- Brenau Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
- Brenau PA Curriculum Overview
Last updated: September 26, 2026