Application to the University of Arizona Physician Assistant program requires: 

1. Submission of the CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) application.
2. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
3. A bachelor's (baccalaureate) degree is mandatory for enrollment. All coursework must be done at a U.S. or Canadian educational institution accredited by a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting body or the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Students with degrees from outside the U.S. or Canada must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at a U.S. or Canadian accredited institution, including the necessary admission courses.
4. All prerequisite courses must be completed within ten years of matriculation with a minimum grade of C or higher.
5. Students who have earned a degree outside the U.S. or Canada must demonstrate competence in the English Language by submitting TOEFL scores with a minimum score of 100 on the iBT (internet based testing) and a minimum score of 26 on the speaking component within five years of matriculation.

Science Course Requirements

1. Anatomy & Physiology: Applicants must meet one of the two following options:
   1. One semester or two quarters (three to four credit hours) of Human Anatomy AND one semester or two quarters (three to four credit hours) of Human Physiology
   2. Two semesters or three quarters (six to eight credit hours) of combined Human Anatomy and Physiology
2. General Chemistry: one semester or two quarters (three to four credit hours), with or without laboratory
3. Microbiology: one semester or two quarters (three to four credit hours), with or without laboratory

All science prerequisites must be completed prior to application submission.

Non-Science Course Requirements

1. Spanish: two semesters or three quarters (6-8 credit hours) or placement examination at the intermediate level. There are no language substitutes
2. Medical terminology: one semester or one quarter (1-3 credit hours) 

All coursework can be in person or virtual. All courses must be provided by regionally accredited institutions of higher education. Accrediting bodies must be CHEA-recognized or the WASC Senior College and University Commissions (WSCUC). 

Recommended prerequisites

• Biochemistry
• Statistics
• Psychology
• Genetics
• Physics
• Nutritional Sciences

Recommendation Letters

A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required with a maximum of five (5) letters allowed through the CASPA application process. Additional letters will not be considered by the program. Recommendation letters should be from clinicians, science professors, or mentors. Letters of recommendation must not be from personal friends or family members. Letters must be electronically submitted directly to CASPA on or before November 1. Letters of recommendation will only be accepted through CASPA with no exceptions.

Preference Factors

In accordance with our mission, vision and values, the program will give preference to applicants who indicate a high potential to seek employment in the state of Arizona upon graduation. Preference will also be given to individuals who are/have: 

• A strong history of health care experience
• A strong history of volunteer or community enrichment 
• American Indian / Alaska Native tribal membership
• Disadvantaged
• First-generation college students
• Honorable military service
• Rural area residents 

The program will give preference to applicants with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the most recent 60 credit hours, as calculated by CASPA.

Please see FAQs for more information.

Tuition and Fees

In State

Out of State

Note:
This is not a bill but an estimate pending ABOR approval. The University of Arizona reserves the right to adjust tuition and fees at any time, subject to Arizona Board of Regents approval or policy, with changes applying to current and incoming students. Tuition and fees may also be corrected for errors or adjusted retroactively.

Additional Costs

Note: 
These are the estimated expenses for PA students from fall 2026 to fall 2028. The official cost of attendance for each academic year will be published the summer before the new award year and may differ from these estimates. Annual costs are approximate and subject to change. During the clinical semesters, students should anticipate additional costs for rotations, such as travel, housing, and other accommodations. These expenses will vary based on individual circumstances and rotation locations and should be assessed as students enter this period.