Frequently Asked Questions
Program Accreditation
At its September 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Indiana State University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Indiana State University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2025.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-indiana-state-university/.
Yes, you can apply prior to completing your undergraduate degree. Your graduation date must be before the start of the program in January. Degree verification will be required if this is the case. You cannot start a master’s program without first completing a bachelor’s degree, with no exceptions.
We do not require a specific undergraduate degree and there is not a “best” degree. Most programs are more interested in the overall academic performance of a student, rather than the title of their degree.
Yes, but you want to be sure the course you intend to take will meet the requirements of the program here at ISU. If a lab is to coincide with a course, verify a lab exists and that you are enrolled in a section of that lab.
Only online degrees and courses from regionally accredited colleges and universities will be considered.
Prerequisite courses must be completed no later than the June 1 st prior to the start of the program. All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed, with a grade of C or better, in order to officially matriculate into the program.
Yes, we do require official transcripts for all pending coursework as CASPA does not verify these grades. Official transcripts can be sent to:
Indiana State University Office of Admissions
318 N 6th St
Terre Haute IN 47809
ISU recommends that applicants have a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA to enter the PA program.
It is difficult to significantly raise one’s GPA. CASPA includes the lesser grade on repeated courses taken with better performance. Please feel free to contact us if you are concerned about your academic background.
Review scores can go up or down based on other circumstances around the applicants academic history. For example, a score can go up if recent coursework is stronger than old coursework or down if evidence of poor academic history is shown, such as excessive withdrawals, or poor recent performance.
Our program is considered to be full-time. We cannot force you not to work, but it is highly recommended, due to the intensity of the coursework, that you do not work. In addition to classes, you will be required to attend meetings, hospital seminars, continuing education, etc., all of which may fall outside the normal class times.
Patient health care experience is highly encouraged. A minimum of 500 hours is required. Patient health care can be defined as, but not limited to: shadowing with mid-level physicians, phlebotomy, nurse aide, medical assistant.
Every January, thirty students are admitted.
Yes, an applicant’s score may go up if one or both of these factors occur. Is the PA program at Indiana State University accredited?
Students are permitted to complete clinical rotations at sites approved by the PA clinical coordinator. Travel is required with travel expenses assumed by the student. Efforts are made to place students at desired sites, pending preceptor availability and an approved affiliation agreement. All students are required to complete an on-campus post clinical phase after the completion of all rotations.
Tuition costs may vary according to the academic year. All tuition information can be found at Cost to Attend.