Frequently Asked Questions

About the Program

  1. How do I learn more about the program to help me apply? Can I meet personally with a member of the admissions team or program faculty?
    Our intent is for the PA program website, FAQ section, class admission profile and virtual information sessions to assist applicants in completing the CASPA and the program’s supplemental application. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applicants, PA faculty are unable to meet individually with applicants. The information sessions offer an excellent opportunity for applicants to interact with admissions personnel and learn more about the program. If you have used all of the resources and continue to need assistance, we recommend sending an email to the admissions team at FSUPA@frostburg.edu Please allow five business days for us to reply. If you don’t receive an email response after that time, then resend the email. Dates and times of the information sessions will be posted on the program’s website.
  2. Does the PA program offer part-time classes?
    The program must be taken full time. Students can expect to be in classes Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  3. How long is the PA program?
    FSU’s PA program is 24 months in duration, with six semesters and a total of 117 credit hours.
  4. How many seats are available for each incoming class?
    Each class will admit a maximum of 25 applicants.
  5. When do classes start, and when is graduation?
    Each class will begin the program in late May of year one and graduate in May of year two.
  6. Does the PA program have admission interviews? When will they occur? What is the interview schedule?
    • Yes, selected applicants will be sent notification by the PA program for an on-campus interview.
    • Applicants are selected for an interview based on the strength of their CASPA application, including a holistic review of their academic preparation and the program's preferences.
    • During the interview process, the applicant will be provided with and asked to acknowledge their agreement to follow the American Academy of Physician Assistants' (AAPA) Code of Ethics and the Physician Assistant Medicine Program social media and professionalism policies.
    • Applicants will be provided with the technical standards of admission at the time of interview and must meet these standards upon admission.
    • Interview includes Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), interview stations, writing exercise, and a group exercise.
    • Professional dress and behavior is expected during the interview. Lunch will be provided to all applicants invited for an interview.
    • Selected applicants will be notified via email by the dates listed below. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation.
    • The program will interview up to 12 applicants per session for a total of 72.
    • Interview dates, interview notifications, admission offers and deposit deadlines are listed below:

Interview invitations will be extended three weeks prior to each interview date. We recommend applicants submit a complete application at least two months prior to the interview date they are applying for, but no later than the CASPA verified deadline for the program of November 1, 2024.

For Interviews conducted on August. 20, 2024:

  • 12 notified by July 29, 2024. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation.
  • Admission offers by August 27, 2024
  • Deposit ($1,500) due August 30, 2024

For Interviews conducted on Sept. 17, 2024:

  • 12 notified by August 26, 2024. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation.
  • Admission offers by September 24, 2024
  • Deposit ($1,500) due September 27, 2024

For Interviews conducted on October. 15, 2024:

  • 12 notified by September 23, 2024. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation. 
  • Admission offers by October 22, 2024
  • Deposit ($1,500) due October 25, 2024

For Interviews conducted on November. 19, 2024:

  • 12 notified by October 28, 2024. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation. 
  • Admission offers by November. 26, 2024 
  • Deposit ($1,500) due November 29, 2024

For Interviews conducted on January. 21, 2025:

  • 12 notified by December 30, 2024. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation.
  • Admission offers by January 28, 2025
  • Deposit ($1,500) due January 31, 2025

For Interviews conducted on February. 18, 2025:

  • 12 notified by January 27, 2025. Invitees have 48 hours to accept invitation.
  • Admission offers by February 25, 2025
  • Deposit ($1,500) due February 28, 2025

The daily schedule of the interview session will be as follows: TBD

*The interview dates and timelines are tentative. The program reserves the right to adjust or modify interview days depending on program operations, weather, and public health.

Parking: If driving to campus, we have a parking facility right across the street from our building on at 24 North Walnut street. This is a free parking lot and no parking validation or ticket is necessary. Parking right in front and side of the building is prohibited.  These spots are reserved for patients only.

Accommodations: There are many hotels close by. 

The applicant is responsible for all travel-related expenses (flight, lodging, local travel and off-campus meals), and there are no grants or scholarships available to offset interview expenses.

  1. Does the PA program offer advanced placement, accept transfer students or provide credit for experiential learning?
    FSU’s PA program does not offer advanced placement for students with prior graduate work, nor does the program accept transfer students or offer credit for experiential learning. The program does not offer credit for prior experience working in the health care field. All incoming students will be required to complete all coursework in the curriculum, regardless of previous experiences. However, in some cases, students who have withdrawn or who have been dismissed from the program may be readmitted with advanced standing.
  2. Is there a mandatory graduate research project during the PA program?
    All students enrolled in the PA program must successfully complete a master’s capstone project and receive a passing grade in order to graduate. Faculty will guide, monitor and assess the quality of each student’s work in this process.
  3. Is FSU’s PA program accredited?
 Read about the FSU PA Program AccreditationThe program's accreditation history can be viewed on the  ARC-PA website The  ARC-PA web site  has more information on ARC-PA               accreditation.
  1. What degree is awarded by the PA program?
    Each graduate will be awarded a Master of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Studies.
  2. What are FSU’s NCCPA pass rate scores? 
    The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) results may be viewed on the program website.
  3. Are PA students able to work outside of the PA program?
    • PA students are not prohibited from working while enrolled in the PA program; however, due to the amount of study and intensive nature of the curriculum, students are generally discouraged from obtaining or maintaining employment while enrolled. No special academic accommodations or scheduling arrangements will be made or granted for students who choose to work while enrolled.
    • PA students are not required to work for the program.
    • PA students are not allowed to substitute for or function as instructional faculty.
    • PA students are not allowed to substitute for clinical or administrative staff during clinical rotations.
    • In addition, PA students are not permitted to engage in any paid or salaried role in conjunction with completion of their clinical rotations.

Application Requirements

  1. Is there a requirement to shadow a PA?
    A minimum of eight hours of Physician assistant shadowing is required and can be paid or unpaid. The program expects you to have a working knowledge of current PA practice in both medical and surgical specialties and your knowledge is part of the interview. It is the applicant’s responsibility to appropriately document your experiences on CASPA. Updates after application submission will not be accepted.
  2. Does an applicant need to take the GRE, PA-CAT or MCAT for admission?
    FSU’s PA program does not require the PA-CAT, GRE or MCAT for admission. Standardized test scores are not reviewed or scored by faculty as part of the application review process.
  3. What is the minimum required GPA for the application?
    The minimum prerequisite GPA is 3.0. The program will verify pre-requisite courses and may adjust your pre-selected course so your FSU pre-requisite GPA is subject to program verification.
  4. Are there requirements for applicants educated outside of the United States?
    If you have attended a college or university outside of the United States, you must arrange to have all post-secondary records evaluated by an organization that is certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The list of NACES members can be found online.
  5. What testing is required if English is not my first language?
    International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose native language is not English, must achieve a passing score on one of listed exams below. Scores must be current within two years from the time of application. If you choose to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam, we recommend that you take it at least six (6) months in advance of the semester for which you are seeking enrollment.
    1. TOEFL – passing score of 550P/213C/79iBT
    2. IELTS – passing score of 6.0
    3. ELS Language Centers – successful completion of ELS Level 112
    4. Inlingua Language Center – successful completion of Level 8
    5. The Language Company – successful completion of Level 9
    6. LADO International College– successful completion of LADO Level 10
    7. iTEP – passing score of 4.5
    8. EIKEN – successful completion of Grade Pre-1
    9. DuoLingo passing score of 100
  6. Are foreign medical graduates (FMG) required to complete all PA program courses?
    Yes, all applicants are required to complete the entire PA curriculum in the same time frame as other PA students. Advanced placement is not available for FMG, and there is not a separate preference for FMGs.
  7. Does it matter what my academic major or degree is from undergraduate/graduate school?
    No specific academic major or degree is preferred.

Application Prerequisites                                                 

  1. If my prerequisite courses were taken more than 10 years ago, can I still apply for admission?
    Prerequisite courses greater than 10 years from the date of graduation (degree during which prerequisites were completed) will not be accepted unless the applicant has provided documentation that they are using the coursework routinely in their current occupation. This must be provided by the student in writing to fsupa@frostburg.edu. Requests for a time requirement waiver will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the admissions committee. *Of note, Anatomy and Physiology as well as Microbiology must be completed within the last 5 years, unless waiver eligible.
  2. Can I apply before completing all the prerequisite courses for admission?
    No, all science pre-requisites must be completed by the verified application deadline of November 1. Only one non-science pre-requisite (abnormal psychology, medical terminology or statistics) may be outstanding at the time of application. A transcript must be sent and received by Graduate Services 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg PA 21532 by January 15, 2024.
  3. What are the prerequisite courses for admission?
    For a comprehensive list of our pre-requisites, please see our program’s Admission Information navigation tab on the website. If you have a specific question regarding whether a course meets the requirement, please e-mail fsupa@frostburg.edu with a copy of the course’s syllabus. Please allow at least 7 business days for review by the admissions committee.
  4. I am an FSU student. What FSU prerequisite course and sequence do you recommend if I want to apply during my senior year?

The Frostburg State University Physician Assistant program suggests close advisement with your individual faculty mentor/advisor via the Health Professor Advisory Committee.

  1. Does FSU accept prerequisite courses completed online?
    FSU will accept online courses if they meet our prerequisite course requirements.

FSU PA Program Admission Preferences

  1. What is the minimum amount of direct patient care experience to apply?
    A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience is required.
  2. How can applicants strengthen their application and be more competitive?
    The admissions process for the FSU PA program is highly competitive. Applications are holistically reviewed relative to our program preferences, prerequisite GPA, personal statement, mission alignment with the program’s mission statement, letters of reference and interview performance. The program does provide an Admissions Statistical Profile embedded in Goal 3 under the Vision, Mission & Goals navigation tab on the program website.
  3. What are the program preferences?
    1. Higher pre-requisite GPAs
    2. Direct patient care experience requiring advanced training, certification, and/or licensure
    3. Leadership activities with a maximum preference for those with activities for greater than 1 year
    4. Volunteer activities with a maximum preference for those who volunteer at least 2 hours/week for a total of at least 96 hours over a 12-month period
    5. Permanent address in CASPA is listed in a medically underserved areas (MUA), health professions shortage area (HPSA), or rural location
    6. Permanent address in CASPA is listed in the state of Maryland at the time of application
    7. Graduation from a regional institution located within 120 miles of the Frostburg, MD campus
    8. Alignment with the program’s mission statement to serve rural and underserved patient populations in the primary care setting
    9. Military service (veterans must have an honorable or under honorable discharge characterization)
    10. Frostburg State University alumnus
    11. Permanent address is CASPA is listed at the time of application as Washington, Garrett, Frederick, or Allegany county in Maryland
    12. Advanced language proficiency in an additional language to English as reported in CASPA including American Sign Language 
    13. Application via the FSU Bachelor's to Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies Pathway
  4. Is there a preference for residents in the State of Maryland?
    Yes, this should not discourage applicants from out of state from applying, as long as they have a strong alignment with our mission statement.
  5. Is there a preference for FSU alumni?
    There is a preference for FSU alumni applicants defined as the applicant’s degree having been conferred by FSU, but applicants must be competitive in their entire application and admission is not guaranteed nor automatic.
  6. Is there a preference for FSU legacy? There is no preference given for those with a FSU legacy (defined as having parents, grandparents or siblings who are FSU alumni).

Application Process

  1. How can I apply to FSU’s PA program?
    All applicants must apply through the  Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The CASPA application must be verified, all prerequisites completed, undergraduate degree completed, and supporting documents uploaded to CASPA by the deadline of November 1, 2024, to be considered for an interview for the next class. However, we encourage applicants to submit a complete application at least 2 months before the interview date they are applying for, to be considered for the interviews taking place August 2024 - February 2025 interviews.
  2. Is there a supplemental application? 
    All applicants selected for an interview will be sent an application form by Graduate Studies to your CASPA preferred email. All students selected by admissions must have a completed application to Graduate Studies in order to deposit. There is no supplemental fee. 
  3. Can I request a review of my whole application, including references and transcripts, prior to submission?
    The PA program is unable to provide applicant feedback before, during, or after the application cycle due to the number of applications received.
  4. When will the PA program start accepting applications?
    Applications for the class matriculating in May 2025 opens through CASPA on April 25, 2024. The program observes rolling admissions with a verified application deadline of November 1, 2024. We highly encourage interested applicants to apply early, depending on the interview date they are applying to, and submit a complete application. There is an advantage for early applicants with a complete verified application to be considered for the August - November of 2024 interviews. You must have a complete verified application no later than the November 1, 2024, deadline. Applicants who apply by the November 1, 2024, deadline will be considered for the January and February 2025 interview dates. It can take up to 30 days for CASPA to verify all application materials, so plan ahead accordingly to meet the verified deadline of November 1, 2024. The program will not review applications received past November 1, 2024 deadline.
  5. Do all application materials need to arrive at the same time? 
    No, but only completed applications are reviewed for consideration. We highly encourage interested applicants to apply early, depending on the interview date you are applying to, and submit a complete application. A complete application includes a CASPA application, supplemental application (included within the CASPA application), transcripts and two references. Applicants are not penalized if required parts of the application are received at different times. The complete application with all supporting documents must be submitted to CASPA and verified by November 1, 2024, in order to be considered for May 2025 enrollment. Transcripts for prerequisites and graduate degrees completed after your application submission must be uploaded to CASPA and an email sent to fsupa@frostburg.edu by November 1, 2024.
  6. Can an applicant send in additional letters of recommendation, beyond those included in CASPA?
    No. The program will take the first two submitted letters of recommendation that fulfill our requirements. Additional letters in your CASPA application will not be considered.
  7. I’ve submitted a CASPA application. When will I hear a status update?
    Once you have submitted a CASPA application, you will receive an email notification from CASPA that it has been received and then verified. At this point, your application will be made available to FSU’s PA program as verified for processing purposes.
  1. I’ve completed other courses since submitting my initial application. How do I update the PA program?
    Your CASPA profile has a feature called "Academic Update." For courses added and/or grades earned after submitting the CASPA application, this feature provides an unofficial update to your CASPA course listing. Entered grades and courses will not be re-verified, but this can provide your designated programs with an updated, unofficial picture of your academic profile. You may send one email to fsupa@frostburg.edu alerting us of all program preference changes to your application after submission but not later than November 1, 2024. The changes should also be uploaded to your CASPA application. Transcripts for prerequisites and graduate degrees completed after your application submission must be uploaded to CASPA, and an email sent to fsupa@frostburg.edu by November 1, 2024.
  2. How do I update other parts of my application, such as patient care or volunteer experience? 
    Updates to patient care, volunteer or community service and shadowing experiences can be made through CASPA. You may send one email to fsupa@frostburg.edu alerting us of all program preference changes to your application after submission, but not later than November 1, 2024. Of note, if the applicant has already submitted their application and did not meet initial requirements for patient care hours or shadowing hours, they will still be considered to not meet minimum requirement.
  3. Are electronic transcripts accepted?
    All transcripts should be sent directly to CASPA. Please refer to CASPA for their requirements.

Admissions Policies and Procedures

1. Is there a rolling admission process for the PA program?
Yes, FSU will conduct a rolling admissions process as follows:
  1. One verified application deadline
    1. November 1, 2024 - You must have a complete verified application no later than the November 1, 2024, deadline. However, qualified applicants with an early complete verified application will be considered for the August 2024 - February 2025 interviews.
  2. Numbers interviewed: (12 per interview session)
    1. August 20, 2024: 12 interviewed
    2. September 17, 2024: 12 interviewed
    3. October 15, 2024: 12 interviewed
    4. November 19, 2024: 12 interviewed
    5. January 21, 2025: 12 interviewed
    6. February 18, 2025: 12 interviewed
  3. There may be a numerical advantage to applying early and getting admitted

2. When will applicants know if they have been selected for an interview?
Interview invitations will be extended at least 3 weeks prior to the specified interview date.

3. Who is on the Admissions Committee, and who makes the final decision? 
The admissions team consists of the PA program faculty, other FSU health professions faculty, admissions personnel and college administration. Final admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee. Admissions Committee decisions are final and may not be appealed.

4. Do you maintain a waitlist?

Yes, the program will publish and maintain a waitlist after the last interviews have been completed and initial offers for the 25 seats have been made. That will usually occur at the beginning of March. The program will compile a waitlist by CASPA ID number and access to the list will be provided to those on the waitlist. We recommend you check the list on a regular basis to be prepared to accept an offer of admission if one is extended to you because the offer will expire 72 hours after it has been extended. Offers will be made via CASPA email. As a courtesy, we request applicants on the waitlist contact the program to be removed if they withdraw their application for any reason.

5. Does the program accept applicants with a history of felony convictions?
Currently, the program is unable to accept applicants with a history of felony convictions. This is due to the inability to place students clinically with partners in the community. The program will review this policy annually and amend the policy as soon as feasible when it can provide equal access to clinical placements for applicants with a history of felony convictions.

6. Does the PA program require drug screening?

Drug screenings are required. Clinical rotation sites may also require additional drug screens. A urine drug screen is required as part of the matriculation process.

7. Are background screenings conducted in the PA program?
FSU requires a level two background screening after acceptance to the PA program and prior to matriculation and prior to the start of clinical rotations. Clinical rotation sites may also require additional background screens in addition to the two required background checks.

8. Does FSU provide feedback for denied applicants? 

We are unable to provide individualized feedback due to the volume of applications and requests for feedback. Many of your questions can be answered by reviewing our admissions webpage, FAQ and by participating in a PA virtual information session. These sessions include admissions requirements as well as statistics of the current cohort.

9. May I tour FSU’s PA program facility?
Individualized tours are not available at this time.

10. What is FSU’s policy regarding delayed or deferred admissions?
Conditionally accepted students may be permitted to delay matriculation for up to one year on a case-by-case basis. A written request must be submitted to the attention of the Director of PA Admissions at fsupa@frostburg.edu. The admissions committee will then meet to determine an outcome which will be communicated to the applicant. Decisions via the admissions committee are final and may not be appealed. Deferred admission will only be available to applicants who have been granted an acceptance and they have paid their non-refundable $1500 deposit. If the request is denied, the applicant will have the option to matriculate in the current admissions cycle, or forfeit their acceptance and non-refundable $1500 deposit.

11. Are international students eligible for admission?
All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The PA program has not been approved for international students at this time.

12. What are the technical standards for admission?
Please review the  technical standards online.

Clinical Rotations and Placements

  1. How many required and elective clinical rotations are there?

There are seven required and three elective clinical rotations.

  1. Can clinical rotations be completed outside the State of Maryland?
    Yes.
  2. Where are the clinical rotations sites?

    FSU’s PA program has established partnerships with multiple highly regarded hospital systems, clinics and private practices in the Western Maryland region.
  3. Do PA students have to secure their own clinical rotation sites? 
    The clinical team secures all required clinical rotation sites for students. Students may request specific clinical rotations. All requests and arrangements must be coordinated through the clinical team. Students are not permitted to contact clinical sites on their own.
  4. Is housing provided for clinical rotations? 
    Most sites are within driving distance of campus and is defined as 150 miles from campus. Any clinical rotation requiring housing is the personal and financial responsibility of the student.
  5. Can a PA student take time off during the clinical year?
    In the event of a medical or personal emergency, the student may request a leave of absence. If granted, this will result in a delayed graduation date.