College of Health Sciences- Physician Assistant Studies

Program Accreditation

Program Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Charleston Southern University.

Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the standards.

The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2032. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

The Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement:

The Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program is an Accreditation Review Commission on Education (ARC-PA) Accredited program.

All 50 states require graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited program and National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification following successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) as conditions for initial PA licensure. Successful completion of the CSU PA Program affords our PA graduates the opportunity to sit for the PANCE.

Successfully passing the NCCPA PANCE exam meets all 50 state licensure requirements. Additional licensure information for each state may be found on the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) website: https://www.aapa.org/download/19739/.

Students are responsible for investigating the specific requirements of the state in which they are planning to practice following graduation.

For additional information on accreditation affiliations and disclosures at CSU, please visit: hhttps://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/about/accreditation-disclosures/.

PA Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Charleston Southern University Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is to educate compassionate and highly motivated individuals in a Christian environment who excel in providing patient-centered care, practicing as an inter-professional team, serving as leaders in their communities, and advancing the PA profession.

PA Program Goals

• Recruit diverse and highly capable students to the program.
• Deliver an outstanding curriculum that prepares students to provide patient-centered medical care upon graduation.
• Foster a healthy and supportive Christian learning environment that prepares students appropriately to transition from student to clinician.
• Engage faculty and students in opportunities for service, leadership, and scholarly activities in the school, our community, and the profession.

PA Program Learning Competencies

Upon completion of the program, clinical education phase students will have acquired the knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, clinical and technical skills, and professional behaviors required for entry into PA practice:

Knowledge

1. Demonstrate an understanding for the medical, behavioral, and social knowledge necessary to evaluate and patients across all ages and patient populations in both primary care and specialty settings.
2. Demonstrate an ability to make informed decisions about the care of patients consistent with up-to-date scientific evidence and sound clinical judgment.

Interpersonal Skills

1. Demonstrate an ability to elicit an accurate medical history on patients.
2. Demonstrate the ability to deliver accurate patient education that encompasses verbal, non-verbal, and written forms information to the patient, their family, and their care team that considers disease prevention and health awareness.
3. Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients, their care teams, and other members of the healthcare that adapts to the needs of that person as necessary.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities

1. Demonstrate an ability to formulate a differential diagnosis relevant to the findings in the history and physical exam.
2. Demonstrate an ability to recommend appropriate diagnostic studies to assist in the evaluation and treatment of the patient.
3. Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement an appropriate therapeutic management plan, either or non-pharmacological, based on the patient’s medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic study findings.

Clinical and Technical Skills

1. Demonstrate the ability to perform a detailed physical exam relevant to medical history.
2. Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical procedures common to general medicine practice including but not limited surgical wound management (e.g. staple, suture, drain placement/removal, basic skin biopsy, incision and drainage), administration of topical and local anesthesia, simple laceration repair with suturing, injections and aspirations (e.g. trigger point, cyst, bursa, and joint injections), peripheral intravenous access (e.g. intravenous access or venipuncture), nasopharyngeal swabs, bladder catheterization, and a Papanicolaou test.
3. Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical skills common to general medical practice, including but not limited interpretation of diagnostic tests and interpretation of diagnostic imaging.

Professional Behaviors

1. Demonstrate professionalism with high ethical principles, sensitivity, and responsiveness to all patients, their care teams,and members of the healthcare team.

Curriculum Outline

Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (102 hours)  

Admissions

Centralized Application Service for PAs (CASPA)

The Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program utilizes the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for application processing.

• All applications and supporting documents must be submitted directly to CASPA.
• Only verified CASPA applications are considered.
• Applicants are solely responsible for confirming that all application materials have been submitted to and received by CASPA. The PA Program and the University are not responsible for notifying applicants of incomplete applications.
• All required materials must be received by the specified deadlines. No exceptions will be made. Applicants are encouraged to ensure their application is submitted and verified before the September 1 deadline.
• Applicants may apply with two (2) remaining prerequisites, provided each is completed with a B (3.0) or higher before September 1. Official transcripts reflecting the grades and completion of outstanding prerequisites must be received at the University by October 1, or a selected candidate will relinquish their seat.

CSU’s Application Opens: April 24, 2025

CSU’s Application Deadline: September 1, 2025*

*Applications must be verified by this date

CSU Supplemental Application & Fee

The Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program requires a supplemental application.  Once the verified CASPA application is visible to PA Admissions, applicants will receive an email with instructions for completing the supplemental application and submitting the non-refundable $75 supplemental application fee.

NOTE: Admissions requirements, including the CASPA application and the CSU Supplemental Application, must be met by September 1, 2025, for consideration in the January 2026 cohort.

Baccalaureate Degree with Official Transcripts

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent from a foreign institution must be completed at the time of application.
• NOTE:  All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution.  No foreign equivalent courses will be accepted as prerequisites.
• Transcripts sent directly to the University will not be accepted.
• All official transcripts (or equivalency reports, when applicable) must be received by CASPA for the application to be considered complete.

Minimum Cumulative and Science Grade Point Averages (GPA)

• The minimum requirement for both cumulative GPA and science GPA is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• CSU follows CASPA GPA calculation and coursework reporting policies.
• Please see the CASPA website for detailed information on course grade reporting and GPA calculations.

Prerequisite Course Work

Applicants may apply with up to two (2) prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application, provided they completed with a B (3.0) or higher by September 1. Official transcripts for these courses must be submitted to the University by October 1, or the selected candidate will relinquish their seat.

Prerequisite coursework has no expiration date, except for Anatomy and Physiology, which must be completed within the past seven (7) years at a two-year or four-year regionally accredited institution. 

All prerequisite coursework must be completed and awarded a grade of C (2.0) or higher on a 4.0 scale, with the exception of in-progress classes, as noted above.

Classes taken between January 1, 2020, and September 1, 2022, and awarded satisfactory completion (P) will be accepted for prerequisite requirements.

All prerequisite course hour requirements are in semester hours.

Online courses and lab work are accepted.

All prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

We will not accept the following to satisfy prerequisite requirements:

• Survey Courses
• Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
• CLEP Credit
• Exam Credits
• Competency Testing
• Work Experience
• Prerequisite coursework completed at foreign institutions

Total Prerequisite Hours: 30 

*Upper-level courses are typically 300 or 400-level courses and may be designated by the university as “U” or “UL”. If the course is not numbered 300 or 400 level, you must provide documentation proving it is an upper level course as determined by your university or college. 

**Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 sequences with lab is also acceptable. 

If you are interested in taking prerequisite courses at CSU please contact our Enrollment Services Office at 843-863-7050.  

Health Care Experience

A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience (PCE) is required at the time of application submission.

Applicants may continue adding hours to their application on June 1, July 1, August 1, and September 1 by completing the PCE Hours Addition Form and emailing it to the Admissions Coordinator at paadmission@csuniv.edu. Additional hours will only be accepted and added to the application on these specific dates.

Acceptable forms of patient care experience (PCE):

• Acupuncturist
• Athletic Trainer
• Chiropractor
• Clinical Medical Research Assistant (direct patient care required)
• Dental Hygienist/Assisting
• Dietician
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Emergency Room Technician
• Exercise Physiologist
• Home Health Aide
• Laboratory Technician / Technologist
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Scribe
• Military Corpsman / Combat Medic
• Nursing (CNA, LPN, RN, MSN)
• Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Paramedic
• Patient Care Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Phlebotomist
• Physical Therapist / Physical Therapy Assistant
• Radiological Technician
• Respiratory Therapist
• Shadowing of a PA, NP, MD, or DO (for a maximum of 50 direct PCE hours)
• Surgical Technician

Unacceptable forms of patient care experience (PCE) include:

• Administrator or Business Manager for Medical Office
• Aesthetician
• CPR/BLS/ACLS Instructor
• Hospital Patient Transport or Orderly
• Lifeguard
• Medical Interpreter
• Medical Secretary/Receptionist
• Medical Transcriptionist
• Nanny or Babysitter
• Person/Group Fitness Trainer
• Pharmaceutical Representative
• Non-Clinical Research Assistant
• Veterinarian Assistant

Foreign Applications

• A bachelor’s degree must be completed from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent from a foreign institution.
• CSU requires that all official transcripts be submitted, including foreign, study-abroad, and overseas U.S. transcripts.
• All foreign transcripts must be submitted to a U.S.-based evaluation service for a U.S. equivalency report. The equivalency report must then be submitted directly to CASPA from the evaluation service. Please refer to the CASPA Applicant Help Center website for a list of suggested evaluation services and detailed instructions on submitting study abroad, US overseas, and foreign transcripts.
• CSU PA program requires international applicants or those who have foreign transcripts to complete the 30 semester prerequisite credit hours at a regionally accredited U.S. institution before applying to the CSU PA program.
• Transcripts sent directly to the University will not be accepted.

English Language Proficiency Policy

• The Charleston Southern University PA Program defines primary language as the language predominantly spoken and used in your home and educational environment before college admission. To ensure that all students have the English language proficiency required for academic success in our program, applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT).  This policy applies to all non-primary English-speaking applicants, regardless of citizenship or residence.
• The financial burdens encumbered by the foregoing processes are the applicant’s sole responsibility.
• Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all applicants for whom English is not their primary language. Exceptions or accommodations to this policy are granted only in rare circumstances and at the discretion of the admissions committee. The program reserves the right to require an objective assessment of English proficiency at any time during the admissions process.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

For international applicants whose native language is not English, TOEFL scores are required. Only the internet-based testing is accepted and must be submitted through CASPA. A minimum total score of 94 on the exam and minimum scores on the following sections are required:  

• Reading: 22  

• Listening: 22  

• Speaking: 26  

• Writing: 24  

• Total: 94  

Questions? 

If you have specific questions about applying to the PA Program as an international student, please contact CSU’s International Student Enrollment Counselor for more information at international@csuniv.edu. 

Recommendation Letters

• Two letters of recommendation are required for the application to be considered complete.  

• One letter must be from a medical provider (PA, NP, MD, DO).  

• Letters cannot be from a family member or friend.  

• It is strongly recommended that selected references have known the applicant professionally for at least six months.

Interview

Interview invitations are extended to the most competitive applicants for admission.

• While considering interview options, it is important to note that the CSU PA admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.
• Applicants invited for the interview portion of the selection process must participate in the interview to be considered for a position in the program.
• The program primarily conducts in-person interviews but will provide at least one (1) virtual interview day for applicants who prefer this option. Virtual interview slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis for all invited applicants. Once the virtual interview slots are filled, the remaining applicants will be offered in-person interviews only. 
• Interviewees will be notified of their status within one (1) month of the interview. The decision will be one of the following: accepted to the program, placed on the waitlist, or declined.
• The program uses a rolling admissions process, and with this approach, it is possible for the program to fill all available seats before the September 1st application deadline.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Once accepted in the PA Program at CSU applicants must complete the following conditions:

Accept a Seat in the Program

For the accepted applicant, the program requires a response within two weeks of the offer.  A $1000 non-refundable payment to the CSU Office of Enrollment Services (OES) is required to reserve the seat in the program at the time the offer is accepted. Instructions for payment will be provided with the acceptance letter. 

If an applicant commits to another program, we request the professional courtesy of notifying the CSU PA Program so that other candidates may be considered.

Candidates offered a position will be required to complete the following prior to enrollment:
      1. Official Transcripts from all College and Universities for any work in progress courses by October 1.
      2. Proof of Health Insurance (must be maintained throughout the program)
      3. Technical Standards Attestation
      4. Immunization Records (See website for additional information about immunizations)
      5. Background Check
      6. Urine Drug Screen
      7. Permission to Release Information Form

Detailed instructions on how to complete the above requirements will be communicated to candidates.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement is defined as a waiver of required coursework in the program curriculum.  The CSU PA Program does not accept any advanced placement under any circumstances and no course waivers will be provided for pre-admission experiential learning or credit transfers from another university in lieu of completing the required curriculum.   The program’s curriculum presents all of the medical and clinical science content that students are expected to acquire in order to achieve the program’s Student Learning Outcomes. Each student must attend the program full-time and complete mandatory course requirements.

Progression Requirements

Given the sequential nature of the curriculum, students are expected to complete each unit/semester on time as a cohort. Progression will be a function of successfully passing all required coursework in a unit, and the coursework for the unit will serve as the prerequisite requirement for the following unit.

Students may be allowed to progress within the PA program if they are in good academic standing. The ability to progress in the program is subject to the discretion of the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee.

1. If a student is remediating a course or course component, they may progress to the next unit at the discretion of the Academic and Professionalism Progress (A&P) Committee.
2. If a student receives disciplinary action per the professionalism policy, such status will be reviewed at the end of each academic unit by the A&P Committee, which will determine if the student will be placed on academic probation and/or allowed to progress in the program.
3. For a student to progress from the didactic year into the clinical year, he or she must be in good academic standing, as defined by achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of Unit 5 and be recommended for advancement by the A&P Committee.

The program director is responsible for confirming a student’s eligibility to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) following graduation. Such eligibility is based on successfully completing the program’s curricular requirements and the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee’s positive recommendation on such student’s preparedness for the exam.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program and be awarded a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, a student must:

1. Successfully complete all coursework within five (5) academic years according to university and program-defined academic standards.
2. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at program completion.
3. Successfully pass all components of the Summative Evaluation within four (4) months of graduation, demonstrating all Student Learning Competencies have been mastered.
4. Be in good professional standing with the program.
5. Complete the CSU graduation application process.
6. Complete payment of tuition, program fees, graduation fees, and outstanding university fees or library charges.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all degree requirements have been met to qualify for graduation. A graduating student must apply for their degree through the Registrar’s Office no later than the start of their final semester preceding said graduation.

Deceleration Policy

The CSU PA program curriculum is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis to students in a cohort.  The program must be completed on a full-time basis, and students are not eligible to opt into deceleration. Program policies may result in program-required deceleration for an approved leave of absence, as outlined below.

Academic Standing Policy

Good Academic Standing

The CSU PA Program defines good academic standing as earning a semester GPA of 3.0 or above.

Professionalism Warning

A student is subject to receive a professionalism warning for failing to meet the professional behaviors expected of a PA student, which include but are not limited to:

1. Arrives on time and is prepared for class
2. Exhibits a positive and professional attitude and behavior in class and in clinical settings.
3. Actively engaged in class
4. Exhibits excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in all interactions.
5. Demonstrates respect towards others in all interactions.
6. Demonstrates the appropriate attire and appearance.
7. Adheres to academic integrity.

Academic Probation

A student is subject to academic probation for the following reasons:

1. Earning one (1) final course grade of “C.”NOTE: A clinical year student must successfully remediate a SCPE for a final grade of “C,” which may delay program completion and graduation.
2. Earning a semester GPA less than 3.0.
3. Receiving three (3) professionalism warnings
4. Egregious professional behavior, as deemed by the A&P Com.

Dismissal

A student is subject to academic dismissal from the program for the following reasons:

1. Earning one (1) final course grade of “F,” defined as earning less than 70 percent.
2. Failing to meet good academic standing, defined as achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of the didactic year (Unit 5).
3. Earning two or more semesters of academic probation.
4. If a student is remediating a course or course component, they may progress to the next unit at the discretion of the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee.
5. If a student receives disciplinary action per the professionalism policy, such status will be reviewed at the end of each academic unit by the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee, which will determine if the student will be placed on academic probation and/or allowed to progress in the program.

For a student to progress from the didactic year into the clinical year, he or she must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be recommended for advancement by the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee.