Academics

To apply to Miami Dade College's PA program, all applicants must go through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). For more details, you can visit the CASPA Application.

After completing the CASPA application, you must also submit the Miami Dade College Supplemental Application. Both applications need to be completed by November 1st to be considered for the current application cycle.

You can apply to Miami Dade College's PA program through the CASPA portal starting April 24th each year. It’s best to apply as early as possible, but make sure to submit your application no later than November 1st.

The MDC PA program admits 55 students each year.

The MDC PA program is a full-time commitment. Didactic year classes are typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

During the clinical year, students may be scheduled for rotations that begin as early as 5:00 a.m. and may include evenings, weekends, or even overnight shifts, depending on the clinical setting and preceptor schedule. Students should be prepared for a rigorous and varied schedule throughout the program.

The MDC PA program does not offer Advanced Placement

This is a dual enrollment program. As a result, classes for the PA program at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) begin in the Spring, while classes at Miami Dade College (MDC) start in the Summer.

Currently, there is no on-campus housing available for students.

Miami Dade College's PA program is indeed very demanding and intense. Because of this, students are discouraged from working while enrolled in the program to ensure they can fully commit to their studies and clinical rotations.

Miami Dade College's clinical rotations consist of seven core rotations and one selective rotation: Three of the clinical rotations are 8 weeks, and the other five rotations are 4 weeks long. Clinical rotations are offered in the following areas: Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Surgery, and Emergency Medicine. Additionally, students have the opportunity to choose one four-week elective rotation to gain further experience in one of these areas or explore other sub-specialties of interest.

These rotations take place within a broad network of locations, including hospitals, medical centers, and both inpatient and outpatient clinics, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive clinical education.

Clinical rotations occur mostly within Miami-Dade County, but also extend into Broward County, and the program is currently exploring expansion into the Palm Beach area. Please note that the Miami Dade College PA program does not offer out-of-state clinical rotations.

Miami Dade College assigns all students to seven core clinical rotations; however, there is some flexibility for the elective portion of the clinical year. Students may submit a “wish list” for their one four-week elective rotation, which can reflect an interest in additional experience in a core discipline, a medical sub-specialty, or a preferred geographic location.

Placements are assigned by the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Liaison, who thoughtfully consider each student’s academic performance, prior experience, and professional goals. While student preferences are taken into account, final assignments are based on site availability and educational alignment to ensure that all students meet program competencies and are well prepared for supervised clinical practice.

The PA program policy states that all clinical rotation placements are assigned from the Miami Dade College Medical Campus. While the program aims to minimize travel distance, rotations may be up to 50 miles from campus. This will require students to plan for travel outside their residing ZIP code.

Students are not permitted to directly solicit or negotiate clinical rotation sites. However, if a student becomes aware of a prospective preceptor or clinical site interested in hosting them, they may submit a SCPE Request Form to the Clinical Coordinator for consideration.

All potential sites must undergo a formal evaluation process conducted by the Clinical Coordinator and approved by the Program Director. This process ensures the site meets academic, clinical, and physical standards and that a fully executed affiliation agreement is in place with Miami Dade College. While the program welcomes leads from students, final decisions and arrangements are handled solely by the program to ensure educational quality and compliance with accreditation standards.

Clinical rotations at Miami Dade College are primarily based in Miami-Dade County, with additional sites in Broward County and ongoing expansion into Palm Beach County. The program does not offer out-of-state rotations, ensuring consistent oversight and support within a regional network.

Students rotate through a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, community health centers, private practices, and specialty offices. The PA program maintains strong partnerships with affiliated community healthcare organizations to provide diverse and well-rounded clinical experiences.

Placements are assigned by the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Liaison, who consider each student’s academic performance, prior experience, and professional goals. While preferences are taken into account, final assignments are based on site availability and educational alignment to ensure all students meet program competencies and are well prepared for clinical practice.

Miami Dade College's PA program graduates earn a BAS in Health Science, Physician Assistant Studies, and a Master of Health Science. They are eligible to take the National Certifying Examination for Physician Assistants and can apply for licensure with the Florida State Medical Board as Physician Assistants.

For further information, you can contact:
Florida Department of Health
Council of Physician Assistants
P.O. Box 6330, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
Phone: 850-245-4131
Website: Florida Department of Health http://www.floridahealth.gov/

Yes, prerequisites must be completed before applying to the program. Applications will not be reviewed until all required documents are received.

All applicants with science prerequisites older than the 10-year matriculation period must retake these courses to be considered for acceptance into the program. Additionally, foreign graduates must complete all science prerequisite courses at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States to be eligible.

Applicants will be communicated with via the email address listed on their CASPA application.

The Medical Campus does not provide job placement. Through the Career Center located in the New Student Center on the Medical Campus, graduates may review employment opportunities that have been forwarded to the Career Center.

Applicants are not required to have healthcare experience before applying to the program, but it is highly recommended. Shadowing a PA-C is also highly recommended, with a suggested 50 hours. Healthcare experience can be documented as direct patient care and/or shadowing. While no minimum number of hours is required, applicants with prior direct patient care and/or shadowing may be given more consideration.

Please submit your healthcare experience and shadowing hours to CASPA. Note that once the CASPA application is submitted, additional hours cannot be added and will not be accepted.

Yes, a seat deposit is required. To secure your seat in the program, you must pay a non-refundable seat deposit fee of $800.

Yes, a background check is performed for admission. All admitted students must complete and pass a criminal background check, along with a health assessment and immunizations, before matriculation.

Yes, the PA-CAT examination must be completed before applying to the program. Applications will not be reviewed until all required PA-CAT scores are received.
To learn more about the PA-CAT and register, visit the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT) website.

PA-CAT scores should be sent directly from the test sponsor. Since the application cycle closes on November 1st, it is highly recommended that you take the PA-CAT no later than September 15th to ensure your scores are received on time.

(Note: It can take 4–5 weeks for your scores to be sent to the college.)

Yes, the HSC 0003/Lab Introduction to Healthcare course is an institutional requirement. The MDC PA program allows students to apply while they are completing the HSC 0003/L requirement. Students will have until the end of the fall term of the year they are applying to the MDC PA program to either complete the HSC 0003/L course (with a grade of “C” or better) or receive approval for exemption. Students who apply under these conditions and do not satisfactorily meet the above requirements will have their application withdrawn from the MDC PA Program applicant pool due to ineligibility.

Introduction to Healthcare (HSC 0003) Waiver Process
Students with 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/healthcare-exemption-process.aspx

For questions related to the Student Agreement on completion/exemption of HSC 0003/Lab, contact: mdcpaprogram@mdc.edu.

Foreign Language Requirement: Students applying to the MDC Physician Assistant Program must meet the foreign language requirement prior to matriculation.

The MDC PA program allows students to apply while they are completing the foreign language requirement. Students will have until the end of the spring term of the year in which they are applying to the MDC PA program.

For specific requirements, please visit this link:
https://www.mdc.edu/testing/testingcriteria/foreign-language-competence-and-equivalence-/

For questions related to the requirement for a foreign language, contact mdcpaprogram@mdc.edu.

Miami Dade College (MDC) Physician Assistant Program requires students applying to its program to have completed the Florida Civic Literacy requirement. After a review of your specific circumstances, the program will accept your application with the following conditions:

Students must complete the required Civic Literacy course and exam by the Spring Term of the year they are applying to the MDC PA program.

Florida Civic Literacy: Students seeking admission to the PA program must demonstrate competency in civic literacy.

The Civic Literacy requirement has two components (course and exam), which can be satisfied in two ways:

1. Successfully complete AMH 2020 or POS 2041 and pass the FCLE exam.
2. Successfully take the POS 2041 CLEP exam with a score of 50 or higher (meets the course and exam requirements).
3. For more information on meeting the Florida Civic Literacy requirements, please visit this link below:
   https://www.mdc.edu/testing/testing-criteria/civic-literacy-competency-/

For questions related to the Student Agreement on completion/extension to complete the FCLE requirement, contact: mdcpaprogram@mdc.edu

For inquiries about PA program prerequisites, you can schedule an appointment with an advisor at the Medical Campus by emailing madvisement@mdc.edu or calling 305-237-4141.

Visit our virtual room to speak to an advisor. No appointment is necessary.

MDC Medical Campus
New Student Center - Room 1101
950 NW 20 Street
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.