Florida State University’s College of Medicine offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice. Applicants apply through CASPA and complete FSU supplemental questions. Admission requires the GRE, qualifying direct patient care experience, a bachelor’s degree and minimum cumulative and prerequisite math/science GPAs of 3.0. Casper is not required. The program combines didactic study with supervised clinical practice.
- Program
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice
- Credential
- MS
- Location
- Tallahassee, Florida, United States
- Casper
- Not required
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (Verified CASPA application, supplemental questions and fee)
- Seats
- 60 students admitted each fall
- Length
- 27 months; 7 semesters; 111 credit hours
Casper Requirement for Florida State University Physician Assistant
Florida State University Physician Assistant does not require Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
Casper is not required for admission.
Florida State University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- May 1, 2026
- Application fee
- $30 FSU supplemental fee, payable after CASPA and FSU verification.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Verified CASPA application, supplemental questions and fee | October 1, 2026upcoming |
Submit a completed CASPA application with FSU supplemental questions and direct patient care documentation, official GRE scores and the supplemental fee. CASPA verification typically takes 2-3 weeks; the application must be verified by the deadline.
Florida State University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: Class of 2028
- Seats / class size: 60 students admitted each fall
- Applicants: 2,360 total applicants; 976 verified
- Average GPA: 3.74 undergraduate cumulative; 3.71 math and science cumulative
- Average test score: GRE verbal plus quantitative: 306 average
- Average direct patient care: 2,552 hours
Matriculant averages, not admission cutoffs.
Eligibility Requirements for Florida State University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, earned by the end of Spring 2027.
- Residency
Florida residents, residents of South Georgia or South Alabama counties bordering Florida, and eligible U.S. military applicants receive interview preference; residency is not a general eligibility requirement.
- Citizenship
U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a green card; permanent residents must provide documentation.
- Language proficiency
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit qualifying official TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Admission pathways
- FSU-UWF Physician Assistant Pathway Program: For UWF degree holders or permanent residents of Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton or Washington County. Meet standard requirements, interview in Tallahassee, agree to complete clinical rotations in Pensacola and arrange an informational meeting. Up to 10 students per entering class may be selected.
Verified applications receive holistic review. Applicants may have up to two prerequisites outstanding when applying; complete them by the end of the spring before matriculation.
Other requirements
- Direct Patient Care Experience Form: Document qualifying direct patient care experience.
- Transcripts after admission: After an offer, send official transcripts from every college or university attended directly to FSU College of Medicine Admissions.
- Non-U.S. coursework: Provide an official course-by-course evaluation of academic records.
Selection Factors Florida State University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human anatomy and physiology I with lab | 4 semester hours Science majors |
| Human anatomy and physiology II with lab | 4 semester hours Science majors |
| Biology with labs | 8 semester hours Science majors |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 semester hours Science majors |
| General chemistry with labs | 8 semester hours Science majors |
| Organic chemistry with lab | 4 semester hours Science majors |
| Biochemistry | 3 semester hours Science majors |
| Genetics | 3 semester hours Science majors |
| Statistics | 3 semester hours AP/IB accepted |
| College algebra or higher | 3 semester hours AP/IB accepted |
| English composition or writing-intensive coursework | 6 semester hours AP/IB accepted |
| General psychology | 3 semester hours AP/IB accepted |
| Medical terminology | 1 course |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative GPA and prerequisite math and science GPA; the committee also reviews individual prerequisite grades, particularly organic chemistry and biochemistry.
- Minimum
- 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 prerequisite math and science; C minus does not meet a prerequisite.
Prerequisites taken Pass/Fail are considered in the context of the full application; letter grades are preferred.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): Scores must be from within three years of matriculation. No minimum score; a combined verbal and quantitative score of 300 or higher is competitive. Send official scores using CASPA GRE code 2122.
- MCAT (not required): Not accepted in place of the GRE.
- TOEFL or IELTS (required for some applicants): For international applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL iBT 88, paper TOEFL 570, or IELTS 7.0; official scores must be less than two years old.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 500 hours of hands-on direct patient care are required by the end of the spring before matriculation; hours may be outstanding when applying. Document paid or volunteer experience on the Direct Patient Care Experience Form. PAS 2054, completed with C or better, can satisfy the hour requirement but does not replace all patient care experience. Shadowing and medical scribing do not count.
Supplementary application
Complete FSU supplemental questions within CASPA, provide direct patient care documentation and submit 3-5 recommendations. A healthcare-provider reference and a science-faculty reference are suggested; family and friends cannot serve as references.
How applicants are ranked
FSU reviews verified applications holistically, including prerequisite performance, cumulative and math/science GPAs, GRE scores, direct patient care, service and capacity for self-directed learning. Interview preference applies to specified Florida, neighboring-county and military applicants. Selection of verified applications is rolling as interviews are scheduled.
Interview Format at Florida State University
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected through rolling review of verified applications.
- When
- Interviews are scheduled beginning in August 2026.
Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.
Prepare for Your Admissions Interview
Access Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator with realistic practice conditions and personalized mentorship from current medical students, all on one web-based platform.
Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Florida State University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 27 months; 7 semesters; 111 credit hours
- Structure
In-person didactic phase followed by supervised clinical practice beginning in semester five; occasional online didactic sessions.
- Campuses
- FSU College of Medicine
Clinical clerkships include emergency, family, geriatric and internal medicine; general surgery; pediatrics; behavioral and mental health; women’s health; and an elective. The program awards the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice and does not offer advanced standing.
Campus and facilities
Located on the FSU College of Medicine campus in Tallahassee, Florida. The program integrates with university resources for simulation labs and clinical affiliations.
Tuition and Funding at Florida State University
- Estimated total tuition and fees, Florida resident: $77,831
- Estimated total tuition and fees, out-of-state resident: $108,823
Estimated tuition is $9,333 per semester for seven semesters, plus an out-of-state charge of $4,216 per semester where applicable. Estimates are subject to change.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the curriculum rigor as demanding yet formative, preparing them for clinical practice. One admitted student noted limited prior healthcare experience beyond tutoring anatomy and physiology, yet succeeded alongside peers with extensive backgrounds, highlighting accessibility to diverse applicants who excel academically. Students report a focused learning environment on the College of Medicine campus.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Florida State University Physician Assistant Application
- Submit CASPA materials early enough for verification before the deadline.
- Confirm that your cumulative and prerequisite math/science GPAs meet the 3.0 minimum.
- Plan for the required GRE and send scores using code 2122.
- Complete and document at least 500 qualifying direct patient care hours by the end of the spring before matriculation.
- Complete no more than two outstanding prerequisites by the end of the spring before matriculation.
- Arrange 3-5 recommendations, preferably including a healthcare provider and science instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida State University Physician Assistant
Does the FSU Physician Assistant Program require Casper?
No. FSU does not require Casper for admission.
What is the minimum GPA for FSU PA Program admissions?
A 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 prerequisite math and science GPA are required.
Can I have outstanding prerequisites for FSU Physician Assistant application?
Yes. Up to two may be outstanding when you apply; complete them by the end of the spring before matriculation. Pass/Fail coursework is considered in the context of the full application, but letter grades are preferred.
How many patient care hours does FSU PA Program expect?
At least 500 hours of hands-on direct patient care are required by the end of the spring before matriculation. Document qualifying experience on the program’s form.
Does FSU PA Program accept transfer credits?
No. FSU does not offer advanced standing or accept graduate transfer credits into the PA program.
What degree does the FSU Physician Assistant Program award?
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice.
Is there a special admissions pathway for FSU PA?
Yes. The FSU-UWF pathway is open to UWF degree holders or permanent residents of seven specified Florida panhandle counties who meet standard requirements and agree to complete clinical rotations in Pensacola.
Does FSU PA participate in Fee Assistance Program?
A Casper fee is not part of FSU PA admission because Casper is not required.
Sources
- FSU Physician Assistant Admissions
- FSU Prerequisite Course Work
- FSU FAQs
- FSU Class Stats
- FSU Curriculum
- FSU UWF Pathway
- FSU Physician Assistant Program Costs
Last updated: September 26, 2026