Academics

Step 1

Meet the selection requirements

1. Baccalaureate degree (any discipline) from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized college or university.
2. Pre-Requisite Courses: complete all Pre-requisite courses
   1. Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher.
   2. Natural science lecture courses must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline.
3. Natural Science GPA of 3.0 and above.
4. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Order and send official transcripts no later than November 1st of the year you are applying.

Please send transcripts to:

Miami Dade College
Attention: Transcript Department Processing Services
11011 S. W. 104 Street, Room 301
Miami, Florida 33176-3393

For more information about submitting transcripts to the College, visit the Transcripts | Miami Dade College. FMGs must send translated transcripts and TOEFL to the above address as well

Sending Transcripts to MDC

Applicants for admission must request final, official academic transcripts from all secondary (high school) and postsecondary (college/university) attended. Domestic (U.S.) high school and/or college/university transcripts must be sent to Miami Dade College either electronically (by a third party) or by mail directly from institution(s) to institution.

Your admission to the college remains incomplete until all required official transcripts are submitted.

Sending Transcripts to MDC

Note: There is no need to submit additional documents as the program evaluates only documents received in CASPA.

1. One letter must be from a Physician Assistant
2. Two letters from faculty or other healthcare professional

Healthcare Experience is highly recommended but not required. This can be documented as direct patient care and/or shadowing. While there is no minimum number of hours, applicants with prior direct patient care and/or shadowing may be given higher consideration. Please submit Healthcare experience and shadowing to CASPA.

Please see a list of Direct Patient Care Experience (DCPE):

Advanced Medical Training: MD, RN, Medic/Corpsman, Chiropractor, Pharmacist, , Podiatrist, DPT, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist, Dentist, Nurse Practitioner/midwife.

Formal Medical Training: Athletic Trainer, Dietitian, Respiratory Therapist, Scribe, Medical Lab Technologist, Medical Assistant, LPN, EMT/Paramedic, Dental Hygienist

Medical Certificate Program:

CNA, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomy, Sonography, Lab Technician, Nuclear Medicine, Surgical Assistant, X-ray Tech, Sterile Processing, Shadowing is highly recommended but also not required.

Official PA-CAT scores must be electronically submitted to CASPA at the time of application submission.

1. Study and Register to take the PA-CAT:
1. Visit https://www.pa-cat.com/ to create your PA-CAT account and purchase your exam eligibility.
2. Ensure that the MDC PA Program is selected as the institution to receive your score report within your PA-CAT account.
3. You can access your PA-CAT account anytime at the PA-CAT website.
4. It is recommended that you take the PA-CAT early in the application cycle to be considered for early admission. The latest recommended date to take the PA-CAT is October 1, 2025. The PA-CAT score submission deadline is November 1 of each admission cycle.
2. Schedule Your Exam

Note: Schedule your PA-CAT Examination before submitting your CASPA application

1. 5. Within 24 hours of purchasing your PA-CAT exam eligibility, you will receive an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE.
   6. Follow the instructions in the email to create a Pearson VUE account and schedule your exam.
   7. Financial AidThere is financial aid available to cover some of the cost of the PA-CAT for qualifying students.
      Please contact the test sponsor for more information.
   8. Watch a quick video to learn how to register & schedule the exam, and release PA-CAT scores.
   9. Study resources for the PA-CAT: This is available to the applicant after scheduling for the examination.
   10. For questions related to the information provided, contact: mdcpaprogram@mdc.edu.
   11. PA-CAT scores should be sent from the test sponsor. However, the application cycle closes on November 1st. It is highly recommended you take the PA-CAT no later than September 15^th to ensure receipt of your scores on time.
       (Note: It can take up to 4–5 weeks for your scores to be sent to the college.)

To learn more about the PA-CAT and register, visit the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT) website.

Students must be enrolled in or have successfully completed HSC 0003 – Introduction to Health Care (2.5 credits) and HSC 0003L – Introduction to Health Care Lab (.5 credits). Introduction to Healthcare course (HSC003/Lab) is an institutional requirement. For more information about this course please call (305) 237-4103.

Introduction to Healthcare (HSC 0003) Waiver Process

1. Students who have an eligible healthcare license, and a valid CPR card, may apply for a waiver for this course. Students should apply for an exemption at https://www.mdc.edu/medical/healthc-are-exemption-process.aspx

Students seeking admission to the PA program must demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The civic literacy requirement has 2 components (civic course and exam) which can be satisfied in two ways:

1. Successfully complete AMH 2020 or POS2041 and pass the FCLE exam.
2. Successfully take the POS2041 CLEP exam with a score of 50 or higher (meets course and exam requirement).
3. For more information on meeting Florida Civic Literacy please visit the link below:
   https://www.mdc.edu/testing/testing-criteria/civic-literacy-competency-/

Supplemental Application

Applicants are required to apply to Miami Dade College for admission, as part of the supplemental application, and pay a non-refundable $30.00 application processing fee to be considered for admission to MDC.

Apply to Miami Dade College for admission (First-time users create an account) or readmission.

Fee $30. Returning students do not pay this fee and do not need to submit this supplemental application.

Here is the link to access the Supplemental Application: https://mdc.formstack.com/forms/caspa_supplemental_application

The MDC-PA program utilizes the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants are required to complete the CASPA application for the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant program.

• CASPA application opens on April 30, 2026, and closes on November 2, 2026.
• Applications need to be verified by CASPA by November 1, 2025, to be considered.

Applicants should ensure all documentation is submitted to CASPA prior to November 2, 2026, as verification can take up to 30 days and only verified applications will be evaluated.

CASPA Fees: CASPA charges $184 for the first program you apply to and $61 for each additional program. Please verify current CASPA fees on their official website, as rates may change. CASPA Fees and Fee Waivers - Liaison

For more information on how to apply, please visit our CASPA Applicant Help Center - Liaison.

1. The Admissions Committee will review applications and invite selected students for the Written Essay Examination and interview
2. The Committee will evaluate the applications, aggregate scores, and select students for the class.
3. Applicants are given the same consideration regardless of when they are scheduled for the essay examination and interview.
4. Notifications will be sent at different times: some applicants will receive early notification, while others will receive their final application status at the end of the selection process.
5. Acceptances will be made in stages throughout the cycle.

Receive conditional acceptance letters and are recommended to Miami Dade College. Pay a non-refundable $800 seat deposit upon receiving the official acceptance letter. Details on payment are pending.

Visit Tuition and Fees for the MDC-PA program costs.

Class Selection and Alternates List:

Acceptance letters for NSU-MDC sent by February 1st.
Submit a $800 deposit and required documentation.
10 Alternates will be ranked, notified by email, and will be waiting for seat availability.

Students are selected for an interview once all admission requirements are met. Students who receive notification of an interview should respond within 48 hours or risk the chance of securing a spot. The interview process involves an oral interview along with a requirement to write a short essay in 30 minutes.

The program's selections committee is seeking applicants who:

• Desire a career as a physician assistant and have a good understanding of the role of the PA
• Mission driven: the student priority aligns with the Miami Dade PA-program mission
• Demonstrates the ability to successfully complete a rigorous healthcare program
• Possess some experience in the delivery of health care
• Demonstrates a commitment to the team concept in health care
• Communicates effectively and efficiently both in writing and in speech
• Demonstrate a commitment to community service

Applicants are chosen through a comprehensive evaluation process. While multiple factors are considered, preference is given to candidates who demonstrate the following:

• Achieve cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, as calculated by CASPA.
• Achievement of a natural science GPA of 3.0 or higher, as calculated by CASPA.
• Earning a minimum PACAT score of 525 or higher.
• Higher levels of Direct patient care experience.
• Shadowing hours.
• Veterans of all branches of the US Military Service.
• Miami-Dade County residents.
• Florida residents.

These criteria reflect the program’s commitment to selecting applicants who are academically prepared for PA school. 

Students Accepted to the MDC are then required to apply to NSU no later than March 1st.

Master of Health Science (M.H.Sc.) | NSU College of Health Care Sciences (nova.edu)

Admission Requirements:

All students applying to the NSU M.H.Sc. Program must complete all the following steps by March 1:

• Complete an NSU M.H.Sc. Program application form with the prevalent application fee: https://apply.nova.edu/
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: During the application process, when asked about a concentration, please choose "No Concentration" in the drop-down menu.
• Provide evidence of acceptance into the Miami-Dade College Physician Assistant Program
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: MDC will provide proof of acceptance.
• Provide evidence of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Provide official college, certificate, and/or diploma-based transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, sent directly from the institutions to NSU.
• Send transcripts and all required documents to:
  
  Nova Southeastern University
  Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
  3301 College Avenue
  P.O. Box 299000
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33329-9905

All coursework from international institution(s):

The applicant is responsible for contacting one of the evaluation services listed below. The evaluation must be course by course, including a cumulative GPA. The official evaluation must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the NSU EPS address shown above for all documents:

• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
  P.O. Box 415070
  Milwaukee, WI 53203
  (855) 400-6042
  www.ece.org
• World Education Services, Inc.
  P.O. Box 745
  Old Chelsea Station
  New York, NY 10113-0745
  (855) 665-1722
  www.wes.org

For questions about the Master of Health Science program at NSU, please contact the following individuals:

• Debra A. Dixon RDH, MS, DHSc
  Associate Professor and Master of Health Science Director
  (954) 612-3865
  dd1026@nova.edu
• Danielle White
  Admissions Counselor
  Graduate Admissions
  Enrollment Management and Students Affairs (EMSA)
  (954) 262-1121
  dw1396@nova.edu

Admission Timeline for 2026–2027 Application Cycle

Date	Event
April 30, 2026	MDC CASPA applications open Applications are reviewed continuously until the class is filled
Ongoing	Only CASPA “Verified” applications will be considered and only applicants with completed Supplemental Applications considered*
October 1, 2026	Last day to take PA-CAT exam
July 2026 – December 2026	Essays and Interviews offered
November 2, 2026	MDC CASPA applications close Last day to submit CASPA, all documents, and Supplemental Application
March 2027	Nova Orientation
Early May 2027	MDC Orientation
April 2027	Class of 2029 classes begins at NSU
May 2027	Class of 2029 classes begins at MDC

Note: Proposed timeline and dates are tentative and are subject to change