FranU's Baton Rouge Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies is a 28-month program combining rigorous classroom and simulation training with 2,000 clinical hours. Applicants apply through CASPA, must meet three separate 3.0 GPA minimums, and must complete Casper by the program's published deadline to remain eligible for an interview. FranU also considers patient-care experience, PA shadowing, service and fit with its mission.
- Program
- Master of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Studies
- Credential
- MMS
- Location
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Length
- 28 months
Casper Requirement for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- CASPA ID
- Distribution fee
- Check Acuity Insights' Dates and Fees page for the applicable test and per-program distribution fees.
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete Casper in each application cycle by FranU's due date, published in its CASPA portal. Missing that deadline makes an applicant ineligible for an interview. Applicants schedule and pay for their own test; test dates vary by cycle.
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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Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Application fee
- CASPA currently lists $185 for the first program and $65 for each additional program; check CASPA for next-cycle fees.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| CASPA submission | The next cycle's deadline has not been published. |
Apply through CASPA. CASPA offers a limited fee-waiver program for eligible applicants.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: 2025 cohort
- Average GPA: Cumulative undergraduate 3.6; prerequisite 3.7; science 3.6.
- Average volunteer hours: 284
- Average PA shadowing hours: 115
- Average direct patient care hours: 1,537
- Average work experience hours: 629
Eligibility Requirements for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent before matriculation, except for FranU's 3+2 pathway.
- Citizenship
Applicants educated outside the United States may apply with an equivalent baccalaureate degree. Foreign degrees and coursework require evaluation by a FranU-approved international transcript evaluation center at the applicant's expense; contact admissions for approved evaluators.
Admission pathways
- 3+2 Accelerated Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies: Earn a bachelor's degree in biology and human medicine and a master's in physician assistant studies in five years; pathway applicants must meet the PA program's minimum admission requirements.
Prerequisites generally must have been completed within seven years of application. The admissions committee may approve an older course or equivalent or more rigorous work through a case-by-case substitution request; email pa@franu.edu for the form.
Other requirements
- PA technical standards: Applicants must meet and maintain FranU's PA technical standards to enroll and progress through the program.
- Personal interview: Selected applicants must attend a personal interview.
Selection Factors Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Anatomy with lab | required For science or pre-health majors; 2000 level or above. |
| Physiology | required For science or pre-health majors; 2000 level or above. Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs are acceptable alternatives. |
| General Microbiology | required |
| Organic Chemistry I | required No lab required. |
| Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry | one of Organic Chemistry II: 2000 level or above; Biochemistry: 3000 level or above. No lab required. |
| General Psychology | required A related psychology course is accepted; 3 credits. |
| Introductory Statistics | required 3 credits. |
| Genetics | required |
| Medical Terminology | required A certificate or other course is accepted. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
FranU considers cumulative undergraduate, FranU prerequisite, and cumulative undergraduate science GPAs separately.
- Minimum
- At least 3.0 in each of cumulative undergraduate GPA, FranU prerequisite GPA, and cumulative undergraduate science GPA.
Applicants below a required 3.0 minimum are not eligible for consideration.
Admissions tests
- GRE (optional): The GRE is no longer required. Applicants may submit scores through CASPA using FranU code 7348; the catalog lists 290 combined verbal and quantitative and 3.5 analytical writing for submitted scores.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
FranU considers hands-on patient care experience and shadowing one or more PAs when selecting applicants. Its current admissions page sets no minimum patient-care or PA-shadowing hours; more patient-care experience can improve competitiveness.
Supplementary application
Submit three recommendation letters directly from recommenders through CASPA and a personal statement explaining why you want to become a PA and what you would contribute to the profession and FranU's mission. Professors, employers, and healthcare or professional colleagues who know your work are suitable recommenders; PA or physician letters are not mandatory.
How applicants are ranked
FranU reviews applications for eligibility and qualifications, then invites selected applicants to a personal interview. Alongside academics, it considers patient-care experience, PA shadowing, healthcare licensure, service, work and military experience, underserved-area background, and mission-related qualities. Completing Casper by the published due date is necessary for interview eligibility; FranU does not publish interview or offer weights.
Interview Format at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Selected applicants attend a personal interview after initial application review. FranU does not specify an interview format or next-cycle interview dates on its PA admissions page.
- Who is invited
- Selected applicants who meet eligibility requirements and complete Casper by its published deadline.
- When
- Not yet published for the next cycle.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 28 months
- Structure
A 28-month, 108-credit program beginning with didactic study and followed by three semesters of clinical experience.
- Campuses
- Baton Rouge
FranU combines anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, simulation and patient-care skills with 2,000 clinical hours. Clinical training includes core and elective rotations. The 3+2 pathway is a separate accelerated route for eligible undergraduates.
Campus and facilities
Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Campus supports PA training through affiliations with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (OLOL). Facilities enable simulation labs and clinical preceptorships for the 2,000-hour clinical requirement. Program handbooks outline graduate policies in a supportive, faith-based environment.
Tuition and Funding at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
- Published 2026-27 PA program estimate, 108 credits: $97,753.40 including listed tuition and course fees
FranU's published tuition and fees are estimates subject to change; additional program costs may apply.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Mission and Values
The Physician Assistant Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University aligns with the institution's Catholic, Franciscan heritage, focusing on compassionate healthcare delivery.
Guided by the tradition of compassionate health care exemplified by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, the Physician Assistant Program will develop ...
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a program culture that stresses serving with skill, compassion, and purpose through hands-on training and expert faculty guidance. Current students report a process focused on clinical readiness and alignment with Franciscan values. Students report intense didactic training but value the structured progression to clinical practice, gaining proficiency across 39 forum-discussed topics from pharmacology to procedural skills. Competitive applicants report 160 hours or more of PA shadowing, and one applicant noted 520 patient contact hours as part of a successful profile; successful applicants report 500+ patient contact and 160+ shadowing hours.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant Application
- Check all three 3.0 GPA minimums and the listed prerequisites; ask about a substitution if older coursework demonstrates continued proficiency.
- Build hands-on patient-care experience and shadow a PA; FranU publishes no minimum hours on its current admissions page.
- Choose three recommenders who know your academic, professional or healthcare work, and prepare a mission-focused personal statement.
- Complete Casper by FranU's CASPA-posted deadline and use the available practice test.
- Apply through CASPA and prepare to discuss your qualifications and service in a personal interview.
More About Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant
- Clinical hours in curriculum
2,000 hours of clinical rotations
- Affiliated medical center
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (OLOL)
Frequently Asked Questions About Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Physician Assistant
Does FranU PA Program require Casper?
Yes. Complete Casper each cycle by FranU's due date in CASPA; missing it makes you ineligible for an interview.
What is the minimum GPA for FranU Physician Assistant admissions?
FranU requires at least 3.0 in cumulative undergraduate, FranU prerequisite and cumulative undergraduate science GPA.
Is GRE required for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University PA?
No. The GRE is no longer required, but applicants may submit scores through CASPA.
What is the interview format at FranU PA Program?
Selected applicants attend a personal interview after application review; FranU has not specified its format or next-cycle dates.
How many patient hours are needed for FranU PA?
FranU considers hands-on patient-care experience and PA shadowing, but its current admissions page sets no minimum hours for either.
What is the curriculum length for FranU Physician Assistant?
The MMS takes 28 months and includes 2,000 clinical hours; FranU also offers a separate 3+2 accelerated pathway.
Does FranU PA accept international students?
FranU accepts an equivalent degree earned outside the United States. Applicants with foreign coursework must obtain an evaluation from a FranU-approved international transcript evaluation center at their own expense; contact admissions for approved evaluators.
What are FranU PA tuition costs?
FranU's published estimate totals $97,753.40 for 108 credits, including listed tuition and course fees; rates may change and additional costs may apply.
Sources
- FranU PA Program
- FranU PA Admission FAQs
- FranU 2026-27 PA Catalog
- FranU PA Admissions Averages
- FranU Tuition and Costs
- CASPA Fees and Fee Waivers
- Acuity Insights Casper Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026