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 one of the following accrediting bodies:
   1. Accrediting Commissions for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
   2. Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
   3.  Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
   4. New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
   5. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
   6. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
   7. WASC Senior College and University Commissions (WSCUC)
4. 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.
5. All prerequisite courses must be completed within ten years of matriculation with a minimum grade of C or higher.
6. 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. Three semester credit hours or four quarter credit hours of Human Anatomy AND one three semester hours or hour quarter credit hours of Human Physiology
   2. Six semester credit hours or eight quarter credit hours of combined Human Anatomy and Physiology
2. General Chemistry: three semester credit hours or four quarter credit hours, with or without laboratory
3. Microbiology: three semester credit hours or four quarter credit hours with or without laboratory

All science prerequisites must be completed prior to application submission.

Non-Science Course Requirements

• Medical terminology: one semester credit hour or two quarter credit hours 
• Spanish Language Proficiency - The U of A PA Program requires applicants to have a minimum of 6 semester credit hours or 8 quarter credit hours of Spanish Language, or placement exam scores at the intermediate level. There are no language substitutes. Proficiency can be demonstrated by any of the following:
   
  • Taking six or more semester credit hours of Spanish language coursework within the 10 years prior to anticipated program matriculation.
  • Taking eight or more quarter credit hours of Spanish language coursework within the 10 years prior to anticipated program matriculation.
  • Taking the CLEP Spanish exam and receiving a score of 63 or higher.
  • Taking the U of A Spanish placement exam and receiving a score of 4PL or 3PR.
  • Taking a Spanish placement exam at another undergraduate institution that is reflected on official transcripts.

All coursework can be in person or virtual. All courses must be provided by higher education institutions accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies: ACCJC, HLC, NWCCU, SACSCOC, WSCUC, MSCHE, or NECHE.
 

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
• 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.

CASPA Application

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.