Union Adventist University offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Lincoln, Nebraska. Students complete campus-based instruction and supervised clinical rotations. The Christian program emphasizes patient care, teamwork, professionalism, and service to underserved communities. Applicants apply through CASPA and complete the program's published academic, experience, shadowing, and Casper requirements.
- Program
- Union Adventist University Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program
- Credential
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Location
- Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
- Casper
- Required · CSP-20100
- Interview
- Interview
- Length
- 33 months, 118 credit hours
Casper Requirement for Union Adventist University Physician Assistant
Union Adventist University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- US Casper 2 · CSP-20100
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
All applicants must complete the online, open-response situational judgment test for the admissions cycle. Select an approved test date and designate the program for score distribution.
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.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Union Adventist University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- Applications are typically initiated after May 1
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Completed CASPA application and college transcripts | September 1, 2026passed |
CASPA applications are processed after verification, and admissions are rolling. The published deadline is past; no later-cycle deadline is published.
Union Adventist University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: 2025-2026 accepted-student column and Class of 2025 applicant-pool profile
- Average GPA: 3.53 overall and 3.43 science for the 2025-2026 accepted-student column
- Class of 2025 applicants: 273
- Class of 2025 applicants meeting criteria: 235
- Class of 2025 selected for seats: 34
Eligibility Requirements for Union Adventist University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree in any major from an accredited U.S. college or university, except for eligible Union Biomedical Science, Advanced Pre-PA Emphasis students
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English need a qualifying U.S. bachelor's degree with two semesters of English composition, internet-based TOEFL 100 with at least 20 in each section, or computer-based TOEFL 250.
Admission pathways
- Biomedical Science, Advanced Pre-PA Emphasis: Eligible Union students may enter after their junior year and earn the bachelor's degree after their first full PA-program year
International applicants must have non-U.S. transcripts evaluated, earn A grades in three upper-division science courses at U.S. four-year institutions before applying, and obtain 480 patient-care hours in the U.S. medical system through work or volunteering rather than student training.
Other requirements
- Technical standards: Admitted candidates sign an acknowledgment
- Previous PA or medical school: If no diploma was granted, provide a previous program director's recommendation
- Applicant-authored work: Applications written or modified by another person or generative AI are disqualified
- Seat confirmation: Written acceptance and nonrefundable deposit within 7 days
- Health documentation: Physical examination and required immunization documentation
- Background check: Criminal-background-check clearance
- Insurance and CPR: Health insurance while enrolled and American Heart Association HeartCode BLS by May 1 of the starting year
Selection Factors Union Adventist University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Biology I | 4 semester hours with lab |
| General Biology II | 4 semester hours with lab |
| Microbiology | 4 semester hours with lab |
| Human Anatomy | 4 semester hours with lab |
| Human Physiology | 4 semester hours with lab |
| General Chemistry I | 4 semester hours with lab |
| Organic Chemistry I | 4 semester hours with lab; complete before applying |
| Biochemistry | 3-4 semester hours, upper division; lab preferred |
| Medical Terminology | 1 semester hour |
| Elementary Statistics & Probability | 3 semester hours |
| Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology | 3 semester hours |
GPA
- How it is calculated
CASPA GPAs include college coursework and generally include every attempt at a repeated course.
- Minimum
- 3.0/4.0 in both cumulative and science GPAs
Prerequisites need grades of C or higher, do not expire, and must be complete by August 1 of the year of admission. Extension-college prerequisites are not accepted.
Admissions tests
- GRE (optional): Scores may be submitted but are not required
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): One English-proficiency option for applicants whose native language is not English; published score thresholds apply
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete 240 reported direct patient-care hours when applying and 480 before entering; provide a completion plan if needed. Hands-on clinical care is preferred. PA shadowing is required without a specified minimum; outside the May 2020 to August 2021 virtual-shadowing window, shadowing must be in person.
Supplementary application
No supplemental application; submit three CASPA recommendation letters.
How applicants are ranked
Rolling review considers overall and science GPAs, course rigor and trends, patient-care experience, interview performance, Christian service and character, and an internal PANCE-risk indicator. Published preferences include Union and other eligible Adventist-college study and qualifying Union or Bryan undergraduate applicants.
Interview Format at Union Adventist University
Format: Interview
On-campus personal interview with PA-program representatives.
- Who is invited
- Approximately 100 candidates are invited for 30 available seats. Meeting minimum requirements keeps applicants under consideration throughout the interview period.
- When
- May to September
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Union Adventist University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 33 months, 118 credit hours
- Structure
In-person campus courses followed by clinical rotations beginning in the second-year summer
- Campuses
- Lincoln campus
Required rotations cover family practice, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, cardiology, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and psychiatry.
Campus and facilities
PA program in the Don Love Building's Harris Center, Lincoln.
Tuition and Funding at Union Adventist University
- 2026-2027 Year 1 tuition and fees: $44,602
- Published 2027-2028 Year 2 tuition and fees: $53,220
- Published 2028-2029 Year 3 tuition and fees: $35,984
Future-year amounts may change; living and other costs are additional estimates. U.S. students pay a $950 seat deposit; international students pay $5,000 for I-20 processing.
Union Adventist University's Mission and Values
Prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become successful PAs through teamwork, academic excellence, clinical acumen, professionalism, patient care, and servanthood within a Christian program.
How to Prepare Your Union Adventist University Physician Assistant Application
- Check both cumulative and science GPAs against the 3.0 minimum
- Map every prerequisite and finish Organic Chemistry I before applying
- Document 240 patient-care hours and plan for 480 by entry
- Arrange in-person PA shadowing and three references
- Register for US Casper 2, code CSP-20100
- Submit a complete, verified CASPA application by the published deadline
Frequently Asked Questions About Union Adventist University Physician Assistant
Is Casper required?
Yes, for the published cycle; book US Casper 2, CSP-20100.
Is the GRE required?
No; scores may be submitted.
Is there a supplemental application?
No.
Can prerequisites be in progress?
Yes, except Organic Chemistry I must be complete before applying; finish all by August 1 of the admission year.
How many patient-care hours are needed?
240 when applying and 480 by entry.
Is PA shadowing required?
Yes, with no specified minimum hours.
Are repeated courses counted in GPA?
CASPA generally includes every attempt.
Are interviews on campus?
Yes; the program describes an on-campus personal interview.
Sources
- Union Adventist University, Apply to Union's PA Program
- Union Adventist University, Physician Assistant Program
- Union Adventist University, PA curriculum
- Union Adventist University, Tuition and costs | PA Program
Last updated: September 26, 2026