The University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies offers a full-time Master of Physician Assistant Studies in Gainesville. Applicants submit a verified CASPA application and a separate UF supplemental application. UF requires GRE scores and direct patient care experience, but does not require Casper. Interview invitations follow academic, experience and faculty review; admission decisions use MMI scores.
- Program
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Credential
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Location
- Gainesville, Florida, United States
- Casper
- Not required
- Interview
- Multiple mini interview (MMI)
- Seats
- Up to 60 per entering class
- Length
- 24 months full-time
Casper Requirement for University of Florida Physician Assistant
University of Florida Physician Assistant does not require Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
Casper is not required for admission.
University of Florida Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- CASPA and UF supplemental application
Submit both applications and allow time for CASPA to reach Verified status. UF requires official GRE scores in CASPA and at least three references, including one from a licensed clinical provider.
University of Florida Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: 2025 applicant pool and class of 2027 profile
- Seats / class size: Up to 60 per entering class
- Applicants: 1,209 completed applications (2025)
- Interviewed: 140 invitations (2025)
- Admitted: 57 accepted (2025)
- Average GPA: Class of 2027 mean cumulative GPA: 3.8; mean science GPA: 3.7
- Average test score: Class of 2027 mean combined GRE verbal and quantitative score: 308
- Class of 2027 health care experience: 3,700 hours
Class-profile figures describe admitted students, not minimum requirements or guaranteed interview thresholds.
Eligibility Requirements for University of Florida Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Complete a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited college or university. UF does not accept foreign degree-equivalency evaluations; coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited school.
A maximum of one science and one non-science prerequisite may be planned or in progress when applying; complete them by the end of the fall semester.
Selection Factors University of Florida Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human anatomy and physiology with labs | At least 6 semester hours, grade C or higher A&P I and II with labs, or anatomy with lab plus physiology. Complete within ten years of application. |
| Microbiology with lab | At least 3 semester hours, grade C or higher Complete within five years of application. |
| General chemistry I and II with labs | At least 8 semester hours, grade C or higher Organic chemistry and biochemistry are not substitutes. Complete within ten years of application. |
| Statistics | At least 3 semester hours, grade C or higher Complete within ten years of application. |
| Medical terminology | At least 1 semester hour, grade C or higher Complete within ten years of application. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
CASPA calculates the verified application GPA. UF considers overall cumulative, science and last-60-credit GPAs in its academic composite and reviews transcript trends.
- Competitive
- UF reports a mean cumulative GPA of 3.8 and mean science GPA of 3.7 for a recent entering class; these are not admission cutoffs.
UF does not publish a minimum GPA on its requirements page.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): All applicants must submit official GRE scores using UF institution code 0427. Scores must be received in CASPA by the published application deadline.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 1,000 hours of direct patient care are required by UF’s published application-year cutoff. Paid or volunteer hands-on care may count; academic-credit activities, shadowing and observation do not. UF credits ongoing qualifying hours through that cutoff and values additional experience.
Supplementary application
A separate UF supplemental application and at least three CASPA references are required; one reference must come from a licensed clinical provider who can discuss clinical abilities. Submit the supplemental application before an interview invitation.
How applicants are ranked
UF initially evaluates overall, science and last-60-credit GPAs; GRE scores; patient-care and other experiences; service, leadership and mission fit. Two faculty review the strongest applications and recommend interview invitations. Offers and alternate rankings are based on total MMI scores.
Interview Format at University of Florida
Format: Multiple mini interview (MMI)
UF uses a multiple mini-interview (MMI). Orientation is held on the first afternoon and interviews on the second day.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected after academic, experience and faculty review.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of Florida Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 24 months full-time
- Structure
First 12 months didactic coursework, followed by clinical rotations. One new cohort annually. Students complete the program within the prescribed timeline.
- Campuses
- Gainesville
Support system that ensures PANCE readiness. Matriculants highlight the structured preparation for clinical practice.
Campus and facilities
Located in Gainesville, Florida, with access to modern facilities, including those toured during information sessions. Clinical affiliations support rotations, while the campus environment emphasizes academic rigor.
Tuition and Funding at University of Florida
- Published 2026-2027 estimated total program cost of attendance, Florida resident: $140,816
- Published 2026-2027 estimated total program cost of attendance, nonresident: $224,314
These are UF’s published cost-of-attendance estimates, including expenses beyond tuition; costs for a later entering class may differ.
University of Florida's Mission and Values
The University of Florida Physician Assistant program prioritizes attracting highly qualified students while maintaining an attrition rate below the national average and fostering lifelong learners. Program goals emphasize student success through rigorous selection and comprehensive support systems.
The program aims to: 1 – Attract and select highly qualified students. 2 – Attrition rate for UF PA students will be less than the national average. 3 – Develop lifelong learners.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a supportive environment focused on PANCE preparation and success as practicing PAs. Students report a culture where academic performance, particularly GPA maintenance, takes precedence, preparing graduates effectively for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Matriculants highlight the structured preparation for clinical practice.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of Florida Physician Assistant Application
- Review UF’s degree and course prerequisites before applying.
- Build at least 1,000 qualifying direct patient-care hours and describe the work accurately in CASPA.
- Plan for the required GRE and UF institution code 0427.
- Request at least three CASPA references, including one from a licensed clinical provider.
- Submit both the CASPA and UF supplemental applications; allow time for CASPA verification.
- Prepare for UF’s MMI interviews; Casper preparation is not required for this program.
More About University of Florida Physician Assistant
- School
University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Florida Physician Assistant
Does University of Florida Physician Assistant Program require Casper?
No. UF does not require Casper scores.
What is the minimum GPA for University of Florida PA program?
UF does not publish a minimum GPA on its requirements page. A recent entering class had mean GPAs of 3.8 cumulative and 3.7 science; these are not cutoffs.
How many patient care hours does University of Florida PA require?
UF requires at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care by its published application-year cutoff and values experience beyond the minimum.
What is the interview format at University of Florida Physician Assistant?
UF uses a multiple mini-interview (MMI), with orientation on the first afternoon and interviews on the second day.
How long is the University of Florida PA program?
The program lasts 24 months full-time: 12 months didactic followed by clinical phases, accepting one cohort yearly.
Does University of Florida PA accept international students?
Review the official website for international eligibility, as CASPA handles submissions but program policies vary.
What references are needed for University of Florida Physician Assistant?
Submit at least three CASPA references, including one from a licensed clinical provider such as a PA-C, NP, MD or DO who can discuss your clinical abilities.
Is financial aid available for University of Florida PA program?
UF directs PA students to its College of Medicine Financial Aid Office for aid information and published cost-of-attendance estimates.
Sources
- UF Requirements
- UF Application Process
- UF Important Dates
- UF Application Review
- UF Interviews
- UF Acceptance
- UF Class Profile
- UF PA Cost of Attendance
Last updated: September 26, 2026