Lake Erie College's full-time Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program in Painesville, Ohio, requires CASPA, Casper, documented healthcare experience, PA shadowing, and a personal interview for selected applicants. Its curriculum combines an on-campus didactic year with supervised clinical rotations.
- Program
- Lake Erie College Physician Assistant (PA) Program
- Credential
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)
- Location
- Painesville, Ohio, United States
- Casper
- Required · CSP-20100
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (CASPA application and transcripts received)
- Interview
- One-on-one interviews
Casper Requirement for Lake Erie College Physician Assistant
Lake Erie College Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- United States Casper 2 · CSP-20100
- Languages
- English
- Distribution fee
- See the program-specific distribution fee when selecting Lake Erie College on Acuity Insights.
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Applicants must complete the Professional Health Sciences Casper test. Applicants approved for CASPA Fee Assistance may qualify for Casper fee assistance; provide proof when reserving.
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.
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Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- April 30, 2026
- Application fee
- CASPA: $185 for the first program and $65 for each additional program.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| CASPA application and transcripts received | November 1, 2026upcoming |
Admissions are rolling; early submission is recommended. CASPA must verify all materials before review. No secondary application is required.
Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: 2024-2026 cohorts
- Average GPA: 3.53-3.57
- Matriculant clinical experience: All 2024-2026 cohorts exceeded 1,000 hours
- Graduation rate: 96-100% across 2024-2026 cohorts
No acceptance rates published.
Eligibility Requirements for Lake Erie College Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- Citizenship
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. International students on F-1 visas must prepay tuition.
Admission pathways
- Early Acceptance Opportunity (EAO): For eligible Lake Erie College undergraduates and transfer students; up to four reserved seats per cohort. Apply two years before matriculation. Interview eligibility requires a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Continued eligibility requires a 3.5 GPA, specified prerequisite grades, 750 healthcare hours, 100 PA-shadowing hours, two PA events yearly, CASPA application, and formal interview.
The traditional PA application and Early Acceptance Opportunity have different requirements. The LECOM Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway is a medical-school pathway, not an admission pathway into Lake Erie College's PA program.
Other requirements
- After admission: Submit a non-refundable $1,000 seat deposit within two weeks of acceptance, followed by a $500 deposit; applicants accepted after March 1 submit $1,500.
- Checks and screening: Admitted students complete BCI and FBI background checks and drug screening; checks recur before clinical rotations.
- Technical standards: Meet the program's intellectual, observational, motor, communication, and behavioral standards.
Selection Factors Lake Erie College Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry I & II with labs | required |
| Organic Chemistry with lab | required |
| Biology I & II with labs | required |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs | required |
| Microbiology with lab | required |
| Statistics | required |
| Psychology | required |
| English | required No time limit |
| College Algebra | required No time limit |
| Genetics | recommended |
| Medical Terminology | recommended |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative undergraduate GPA as calculated by CASPA.
- Minimum
- 3.0
- Competitive
- Matriculants in the 2024-2026 cohorts averaged 3.53-3.57 GPA.
Prerequisites generally must be completed within seven years before application with a B- or better. Organic Chemistry accepts C- or better; English and College Algebra have no time limit. Complete prerequisites before May 15 of matriculation. Course substitutions are considered individually.
Admissions tests
- MCAT (not required): No MCAT required.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete 250 hours of healthcare experience, including at least 24 hours directly shadowing a licensed PA, before matriculation. Virtual PA shadowing may count. Paid or volunteer experience may count; document it and upload documentation to CASPA.
Supplementary application
No secondary application is required. Submit a 500-1,000-word personal statement, official transcripts, three references, and documented healthcare experience through CASPA. References must include a licensed PA-C, MD, or DO; a doctoral-level professor who taught you; and a person who can address your academic performance, work ethic, or professionalism.
How applicants are ranked
Applications undergo initial review, followed by interviews for a limited number of applicants. The composite interview score is an important admission component. Interview scores rank the alternate list; an available seat is offered to its highest-ranked candidate. Service, volunteering, mission fit, and qualifications beyond the minimum are valued.
Interview Format at Lake Erie College
Format: One-on-one interviews
A personal interview assesses communication, interpersonal skills, healthcare-policy knowledge, maturity, and overall qualifications.
- Who is invited
- A limited number of applicants selected after initial application review.
- When
- Selected applicants are contacted by email; interview dates are not listed.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Lake Erie College Physician Assistant
- Structure
Full-time MSPAS program with an on-campus didactic year followed by supervised clinical rotations; transfer credit, part-time enrollment, and advanced placement are not offered.
- Campuses
- Painesville
Module-based teaching integrates problem-based learning, pharmacology, simulation, ultrasound, and early clinical exposure. The clinical curriculum includes emergency, family, internal, surgical, pediatric, obstetrics-gynecology, psychiatry, and elective rotations.
Campus and facilities
The Painesville campus has a dedicated PA suite, simulation equipment, and ultrasound training. Clinical partners include University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children's Hospital, and Louis Stokes VA Medical Center.
Tuition and Funding at Lake Erie College
- May 2027 cohort tuition: $958 per credit hour
Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and includes listed books, equipment, review materials, and training. Housing, living expenses, health insurance, immunizations, and certain other requirements cost extra.
Lake Erie College's Mission and Values
The program prepares competent, compassionate PAs to practice patient-centered, evidence-based medicine through academic excellence, leadership, and collaboration.
The Lake Erie College Physician Assistant (PA) Program develops motivated individuals into competent, compassionate PAs who practice patient-centered, evidence-based medicine.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the program as efficient and cost-effective, ideal for motivated candidates seeking accelerated training without downtime. Students report a culture of high efficiency, where the fast-paced structure minimizes unstructured time while delivering essential skills at lower costs compared to similar programs. Students note zero unstructured time. Alumni report strong match rates into residencies post-graduation.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Lake Erie College Physician Assistant Application
- Complete prerequisites within the permitted timeframe and meet the applicable minimum grades.
- Submit CASPA materials early enough for verification and register for United States Casper 2.
- Document 250 healthcare hours, including at least 24 hours directly shadowing a licensed PA.
- Arrange references from a PA-C, MD, or DO; a doctoral-level professor who taught you; and a third qualified referee.
- Prepare to discuss communication, healthcare policy, maturity, and service at interview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Erie College Physician Assistant
Does Lake Erie College PA Program require Casper?
Yes. Applicants must complete United States Casper 2, using code CSP-20100.
What is the minimum GPA for Lake Erie College PA admissions?
A 3.0 cumulative GPA calculated by CASPA is required.
Is an interview required for Lake Erie College PA Program?
A limited number of applicants are invited to a personal interview after initial review.
What are Lake Erie College PA tuition costs?
Tuition is $958 per credit hour.
Does Lake Erie College PA accept international students?
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution; international students on F-1 visas must prepay tuition.
What prerequisites does Lake Erie College PA Program require?
Required courses include biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics, psychology, English, and college algebra; most require B- or better.
How competitive is Lake Erie College PA Program?
The program invites a limited number of applicants to interview and values service and mission fit. Recent matriculant GPAs averaged 3.53-3.57.
Are recommendation letters from PAs essential for Lake Erie College PA?
No. One required reference may be from a licensed PA-C, MD, or DO; another must be from a doctoral-level professor who taught you.
Sources
- Lake Erie College PA Program
- Lake Erie College Tuition & Fees
- Lake Erie College Partnerships
- CASPA Application Cycle Dates
- CASPA Fees and Fee Waivers
- Acuity Insights Casper Test Types
- Acuity Insights Test Dates & School Information
- Acuity Insights Fee Assistance
Last updated: September 26, 2026