Quinnipiac's entry-level dual-degree physician assistant program admits first-year students to a BS in Health Science Studies pathway leading, subject to progression requirements, to MHS Physician Assistant study. First-year applicants use an undergraduate application and must submit SAT or ACT scores. Casper and documented patient-contact hours are later progression requirements, not prerequisites to submit the first-year application.
- Program
- Entry-Level Dual-Degree BS in Health Science Studies / MHS in Physician Assistant
- Credential
- MHS
- Location
- Hamden, Connecticut, United States
- Casper
- Not required
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Early Decision I application)
- Length
- 4 years undergraduate plus 27 months professional study
Casper Requirement for Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant
Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant does not require Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
Casper is not listed for first-year admission to ELMPA. ELMPA students must complete it before progression to the professional PA phase.
Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Common Application, Coalition Application or Quinnipiac Application
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I application | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| Early Action application | November 15, 2026upcoming |
| Early Decision II application | January 15, 2027upcoming |
| Regular Decision application | February 1, 2027upcoming |
Eligibility Requirements for Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Apply as a first-year undergraduate student to the dual-degree BS in Health Science Studies/MHS Physician Assistant program; transfer students are not admitted to ELMPA.
- Citizenship
International first-year applicants can apply and must follow Quinnipiac's international admission requirements.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must provide accepted English-proficiency evidence unless granted a waiver. Listed minimums include IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 85, Duolingo 105 and PTE 57.
Admission pathways
- ELMPA: First-year entry to the dual-degree program; entry to its professional phase is not guaranteed.
- PA-Prep: Separate BS pathway; top students may be considered for limited ELMPA spaces in junior year.
First-year applicants are assessed on high-school preparation. ELMPA students must later meet academic, experiential and professional progression requirements.
Other requirements
- ELMPA progression: Complete the BS, required coursework, Casper and a formative interview; have no course failures, incomplete grades or unresolved integrity or professionalism violations.
- Experiential progression requirements: Complete approved patient-contact, EMT certification, interprofessional education, community service and leadership requirements.
- Professional membership: ELMPA students must obtain AAPA student membership.
- Professional-phase matriculation: Meet health and immunization, background-check and technical-standard requirements; complete a final faculty review.
Selection Factors Quinnipiac University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| High-school English | required 4 years expected. |
| High-school mathematics | required 4 years expected for physician assistant applicants. |
| High-school science | required 4 years expected for School of Health Sciences applicants. |
| Social science and foreign language | required 2 years expected. |
| Academic electives | required 3 expected. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
First-year admission considers high-school grades, grade patterns and coursework; ELMPA progression requires both cumulative and science GPAs.
- Minimum
- No stated first-year admission minimum; maintain 3.20 cumulative and 3.20 science GPAs in ELMPA.
Both progression GPAs are required; failure to maintain them results in dismissal.
Admissions tests
- SAT or ACT (one of several accepted): Official scores are required for entry-level dual-degree BS/MHS Physician Assistant applicants.
- English proficiency (required for some applicants): Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency; accepted evidence and possible waivers are listed by International Admissions.
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
First-year applicants are not required to have patient-care hours. ELMPA students must subsequently complete 1,000 hours of approved, documented direct patient contact by February 1 of their fourth year; paid or volunteer experience can count.
Supplementary application
First-year applicants submit a personal essay and at least one recommendation, together with their high-school transcript and required test scores. International applicants have additional document requirements.
How applicants are ranked
First-year applications are reviewed holistically, including high-school grades, courses, achievements, essay, recommendation and required test scores. Admission to ELMPA's undergraduate phase does not guarantee progression to its professional phase; progression requires the BS, academic and experiential standards, Casper and a formative interview.
Interview Format at Quinnipiac University
ELMPA students complete a formative interview as a progression requirement. The PA-Prep pathway separately describes an interview process for candidates seeking limited ELMPA spaces.
- Who is invited
- PA-Prep candidates considered for limited ELMPA spaces; ELMPA students progressing to the professional phase.
- When
- PA-Prep interviews are described as occurring in the fall semester of junior year.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 4 years undergraduate plus 27 months professional study
- Structure
Complete the BS in Health Science Studies preprofessional component before the MHS Physician Assistant professional component; progression is conditional.
- Campuses
- Hamden
The undergraduate curriculum includes biological and health sciences, EMT training and clinical affiliation; the professional PA component lasts 27 months.
Campus and facilities
Located in Hamden, Connecticut. The campus supports the Pre-PA program through affiliations with the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine. Facilities include modern labs for prerequisite sciences and simulation centers for patient care training. Clinical rotations draw from regional hospitals, providing diverse hands-on exposure during the graduate phase.
Tuition and Funding at Quinnipiac University
- 2026-27 estimated annual undergraduate tuition and fees: $56,430
- Graduate PA tuition and fees, estimated total at 2026-27 rates: $115,760
Tuition and fees are subject to annual updates; undergraduate room and board and other expenses are additional.
Quinnipiac University's Mission and Values
The program emphasizes building a strong scientific foundation alongside leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills through hands-on experiences. This focus prepares you to advance from the undergraduate Pre-PA curriculum to the graduate PA phase upon meeting specific benchmarks.
Our physician assistant program is focused on building a strong scientific foundation as well as leadership, analytical and interpersonal skills through hands- ...
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the Pre-PA track as rigorous yet supportive, with one noting, "The pre PA track is good, one of my roommate is in it. Either way it's a great school." Students report that a slightly below-average GPA with extremely high and important PCE experience can still yield a great chance at many interviews. Students also note the competitiveness: "I think the problem is the acceptance rate of PA program. It's crazy competitive to apply PA program after 4 year college."
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant Application
- Apply directly to ELMPA as a first-year student and submit required SAT or ACT scores.
- Prioritize strong high-school mathematics and science preparation, an essay and a recommendation.
- After enrollment, maintain both required progression GPAs and arrange approved patient-contact experience.
- Plan for EMT certification, service, Casper and the other professional-phase progression requirements.
More About Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant
- School of Medicine affiliation
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions About Quinnipiac University Pre-Physician Assistant
Does Quinnipiac Pre-PA require Casper?
Not for first-year ELMPA admission. ELMPA students complete Casper before progressing to professional PA study.
What GPA must ELMPA students maintain?
At least 3.20 in both cumulative and science GPA; Quinnipiac states no specific first-year admission GPA cutoff.
How many patient-contact hours are needed?
No hours are required to apply as a first-year student. ELMPA students later complete 1,000 approved hours.
What preparation is expected?
Quinnipiac expects strong high-school mathematics and science preparation and requires SAT or ACT scores for ELMPA.
Is ELMPA a six-year program?
It consists of four undergraduate years and a 27-month professional PA component; progression is not guaranteed.
Can international students apply?
Yes; international first-year applicants must meet additional document and, where applicable, English-proficiency requirements.
When do ELMPA students take Casper?
Casper is a progression requirement; Quinnipiac does not list a first-year ELMPA Casper sitting or distribution deadline.
Is PA-Prep the same as ELMPA?
No. PA-Prep is a separate BS pathway; top students may be considered for limited ELMPA spaces.
Sources
- Quinnipiac ELMPA Admissions
- Quinnipiac 2026-2027 ELMPA Catalog
- Quinnipiac Undergraduate Admission Requirements
- Quinnipiac First-Year Application
- Quinnipiac PA-Prep Pathway
- Quinnipiac International Undergraduate Admissions
- Quinnipiac ELMPA Tuition and Financial Aid
Last updated: September 26, 2026