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Admissions Requirements

Program prerequisites

Admission requirements must be completed at the time of application. Applicants may apply with one prerequisite course which meets requirements in progress if it will be completed prior to matriculation.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Overall cumulative GPA or 3.0 or higher
Overall science GPA of 3.0 or higher
Required coursework: taken within the last ten years, with a “C” or better, from an accredited school. English, statistics, and psychology must be within the last 15 years. Quarter credits will be converted to semester credits by CASPA, using their conversion ratio (1.0 quarter hour = 0.667 semester hours)
- Anatomy and Physiology with labs: 8 credits. Must include labs. Must be human or mammalian. Acceptable courses include 4 credits of physiology with lab plus 4 credits of anatomy with lab, OR 8 credits of “Anatomy and Physiology” with labs
- Biology with lab: 4 credits. Must include lab. (see additional microbiology requirement below)
- Chemistry with labs: 8 credits. Must include labs. General/inorganic chemistry. One semester may be replaced by an upper level chemistry with lab. (see additional organic or biochemistry requirement below)
- Microbiology: 3 credits. Lab not required. (this is in addition to the other biology requirement)
- Organic chemistry or biochemistry: 3 credits. Lab not required. (this is in addition to the other chemistry requirement)
- English: 3 credits. must be offered by English or writing departments
- Psychology: 3 credits
- Statistics: 3 credits
Only one prerequisite course can be in progress at the time of application
Admission FAQ
1000 hours of direct patient care experience - must be completed at the time of application submission
- Direct patient care FAQs

University of Bridgeport’s PA program does not favor any specific group or individuals, however the most desirable applicants will show evidence of: GPAs above the minimum requirements; a rigorous and successful undergraduate and prerequisite academic career; a personal mission that aligns with the program mission; a strong understanding of the PA profession; excellent self-awareness and interpersonal skills; direct patient care experience that exceeds the minimum requirement and is of high quality (hands-on contact with patients and/or high level decision making in a medical environment).

Required materials

Please submit all materials below to the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). No applications or supplemental materials will be accepted by University of Bridgeport directly.

CASPA application and personal statement
Official transcripts from all schools attended
Three letters of recommendation
Supplemental essays specific to University of Bridgeport
Detailed and accurate documentation of duties performed during patient care experiences

Admissions process

Rolling admissions

We embrace a rolling admissions process, ensuring flexibility for applicants throughout the cycle. Interviews for the most qualified candidates will be conducted between June and August.

Application deadline

Our application window remains open until August 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST or until our class reaches full capacity. We encourage applicants to submit their applications early to enhance their chances of securing an interview.

Application verification

Please note that all applications must be verified by CASPA by the August 1 deadline to be considered for review by our admissions team. Applications can only be verified once all payments, transcripts, and letters of evaluation have been received by CASPA. To guarantee timely verification, we urge applicants to submit their application at least four weeks before the deadline.

Program commencement

Our program commences in January. All pending prerequisites must be successfully completed by December 20 to ensure a smooth start to the program.

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Additional questions?

Phone1‑800‑392‑3582
Emailadmit@bridgeport.edu

Graduate Admissions

International students

University of Bridgeport’s PA program does not accept international students, including those on an F-1 Visa.

Advanced placement

University of Bridgeport’s PA program does not grant advanced placement for any portion of the curriculum.

Work policy

Acceptance into the PAI at University of Bridgeport requires a full-time commitment. It is an intense and rigorous program that is demanding. The program strongly discourages students from holding an outside job during the didactic and clinical phases. PAI responsibilities are not negotiable and will not be altered due to student work obligations.

Clinical site placement

The PAI and its clinical team are responsible for obtaining clinical sites and preceptors. At no time are students required to acquire or solicit clinical experiences. It is the sole responsibility of the clinical team to identify, contact and evaluate sites and preceptors. Students may make suggestions for sites and preceptors, but are not required to do so. Student suggested sites and preceptors will be reviewed, evaluated and approved for educational suitability by the program’s clinical team.

Deceleration policy

Deceleration is defined by the ARC-PA as “the loss of a student from the cohort, who remains matriculated in the Physician Assistant program.”

The UBPA curriculum is designed to be delivered and completed on a full-time basis. The program is not offered on a part-time basis.

Deceleration is not an option in lieu of disciplinary action including, but not limited to probation, suspension or any other situation that would be considered grounds for dismissal from the program. The PA program does not decelerate students who cannot meet the program’s academic and/or professional conduct requirements.

Deceleration occurs for the following reasons:

A PA student is granted a leave of absence by the PA program.
A PA student is granted an appeal for dismissal through extraordinary personal circumstances — determined in the absolute discretion of the Academic, Background and Conduct Committee.

Technical standards

Completion of a degree at University of Bridgeport’ Physician Assistant Institute signifies the graduate is prepared to practice as a physician assistant. The Technical Standards, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for participation and completion of all aspects of the curriculum and for entry into the PA profession. These standards are required by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and are common to all programs.

Background check

All students must satisfactorily complete a background check upon acceptance of admission, prior to January 1, and annually thereafter until graduation. Some rotation sites require an additional background screening as a condition for access to the site. Students are responsible for the cost associated with the background check.

Drug screening

All students must satisfactorily undergo toxicology screening upon acceptance of admission, prior to January 1, and annually thereafter until graduation. Some rotation sites require an additional drug screen as a condition for access to the site. Students are responsible for the cost of this testing. Testing positive or refusing drug testing may result in an inability to complete the clinical year, and to graduate.

Nondiscrimination/Title IX Policy

University of Bridgeport prohibits discrimination in admissions, educational programs and services, and employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status and any other basis protected by law. The University is committed to preventing or eliminating all forms of gender-based discrimination in its education programs or activities in accordance with its commitment to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

For questions regarding Title IX, please contact:

The U.S. Department of Education

AddressOffice for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3921
Phone(617) 289-0111
Fax(617) 289-0150
TDDTDD: (800) 877-8339
Emailocr.boston@ed.gov

Title IX

First-generation college students

The UB PAI is proud to have consistent rates above national average, of first-generation college students in our cohorts. While the UB PA program does not favor any specific groups or individuals, the diverse campus and resources provide a supportive environment for students.

Military and Veteran students

University of Bridgeport is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. While the UB PA program does not favor any specific groups or individuals, military members and veterans who matriculate have the opportunity to apply for these educational benefits.

DACA recipients

DACA recipients are welcome to apply to our program. DACA students are required to have an employment authorization card (I-766) to participate in clinical rotations. DACA students will also require a social security number in order to sit for the national certifying exam (PANCE). Many states in the US allow DACA recipients to receive medical licenses. We suggest that DACA recipients contact the financial aid department prior to admission, to discuss any tuition questions.

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