Admission

The Butler University PA Program has several prerequisites that must be met to gain admission:

Grade point average (GPA)

The minimum eligible overall GPA for all postsecondary coursework must be a 3.2 at the time of application and matriculation into the program. The current average for those matriculated in 2025 is 3.75.

Courses

Students must complete the course prerequisites listed below with no grade of “C-” or less to be considered for admission to the PA program.

Earned Advanced Placement exam scores of 4 or 5 or International Baccalaureate exam scores of a 5 to 7 may substitute for prerequisite courses. Appropriately earned AP or IB scores may replace no more than two prerequisite courses. Applicants should have College Board submit exam scores to Butler University (College Code 1073).

For information about prerequisite fulfillment, course equivalencies, and unofficial transcript reviews, please contact the PA Admission Office at PAadmission@butler.edu or 317-940-8268.

Healthcare Experience

The Butler University PA Program does not require healthcare experience for consideration of admission. However, the program looks to admit individuals with a wide range of backgrounds that may include healthcare experience. While previous healthcare experience or shadowing is not required, it may be useful to the student to help discern his or her interest in and aptitude for this career.

Technical standards

The College of Health Professions (CHP) and the PA program are committed to treating all individuals within the University in a fair and equitable manner. To this end, all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, will be considered for admission into the PA program. Furthermore, it is the policy and practice of the University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under these laws, no otherwise qualified individual with a disability will be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities of the College. Individuals are not required to disclose the presence or the nature of a disability. However, a candidate/student may wish to discuss concerns about the technical standards with the relevant faculty or staff member. Depending on the circumstances, this may include the Dean or their designee and/or the Director of Student Disability Services (JH136, 940-9308).

The following technical standards describe the essential functions that students must demonstrate to fulfill the requirements of the PA program and thus are prerequisites for entrance, continuation, and graduation from the programs. Candidates/students need to possess the skills and abilities, with or without
reasonable accommodations that will allow successful fulfillment of the requirements necessary to complete the program.

The College and PA program will consider any candidate who demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the skills that are listed in this document. Continued enrollment and graduation will
depend on the successful demonstration, again with or without reasonable accommodations, of both the knowledge and skills listed in this document as well as successful completion of academic requirements. The Academic Progression Committee will monitor the individual student’s ongoing demonstration of such
knowledge and skills.

Students who believe they will require disability accommodations while attending class in the Health Professions Building should contact the Director of Student Disability Services as soon as is convenient after matriculating to the University. Students who believe they will need to have accommodations arranged for their PA experiential rotations should consult the Director of Student Disability Services. MPAS students should make this notification upon matriculation into the PA program. The Director of Student Disability Services will initially meet with the student to determine how best to accommodate the student’s disability and then will communicate this information to the Director of Experiential Education and the Associate Dean of Academic and Administrative Services.

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences faculty has specified the following non-academic criteria (“technical standards”) that all candidates/students are expected to meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, to participate in the educational programs of the College.

1. OBSERVATION: The candidate/student must be able to participate actively in all demonstrations and laboratory exercises in the basic sciences, and to assess and comprehend the condition of all patients assigned to him or her for examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Such observations and information
   acquisition usually requires the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation.
2. COMMUNICATION: The candidate/student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, assess non-verbal communications, and be able to effectively and efficiently transmit information to patients, fellow students,
   faculty, staff, and all members of the healthcare team. Communication skills include speaking, reading, and writing, as well as the observation skills described above.
3. MOTOR: The candidate/student must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers, be able to perform basic laboratory tests, possess all skills necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures and be able to execute motor movements required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. The candidate/student must possess the fine motor skills to perform the requirements of the profession.
4. INTELLECTUAL: The candidate/student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem solving the critical skills demanded of healthcare providers requires all these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate/student must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. The candidate/student must have the capacity to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.
5. BEHAVIORAL and SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES: The candidate/student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of
   all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and others. Candidates/students must also be able to tolerate taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environment, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, commitment, and motivation are personal qualities which each candidate/student should possess.

Prerequisite courses

Please note that our biology requirements have changed. The requirements below will take effect for the 2025-2026 cycle.

• Chemistry:
  • General/Inorganic/Analytical with lab (2 courses)
  • Organic with lab (1 course)
  • Additional chemistry course at or above 300 level (1 course)
• Biology:
  • Anatomy & Physiology with lab at or above 200-level (2 courses)
    • One Anatomy and one Physiology course OR
    • Two semesters of a combined Anatomy & Physiology course
  • Microbiology with lab at or above 200-level (1 course)
  • Any biology related course at or above 200-level (2 courses)
    • Examples might include but are not limited to genetics, immunology, zoology, pathophysiology, physics, biomedical science, neuroscience, bioengineering, exercise science, kinesiology, and nutrition.
• Statistics/Biostatistics:
  • Any course (1 course)
• Social Sciences:
  • Any combination of psychology or sociology courses (2 courses)

Candidates must have no more than 3 outstanding prerequisite courses remaining at the time of application. Only one Chemistry or Biology related prerequisite may be outstanding at the time of application.

This is a competitive process, as the Program generally accepts 60% of each class to be admitted through this pathway. Admission to the Butler University PA Program requires application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Application requirements

Candidates must maintain all application requirements through matriculation into the program.

• Complete CASPA application and submit application fee.
  • All applications must be marked as “complete” in CASPA by July 15 in order to be reviewed.
• Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities (including Butler University) and other postsecondary institutions attended.
• Have no more than three outstanding prerequisite courses remaining at the time of application.
  • Only one Chemistry or Biology related prerequisite may be outstanding at the time of application.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation into the program.
• Earn a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution before the start of the PA Program
  • College seniors are encouraged to apply, provided they will receive a baccalaureate degree prior to May start date of the PA Program.
• Earn a 3.2 or higher grade point average on all postsecondary course work.
  • Including all coursework completed at any regionally accredited institutions.
• Earn no grade of a “C-” or less on prerequisite courses.
  • A letter grade must be earned and listed on the official transcript for all prerequisite courses.
  • All attempts of repeated course work will be included in the GPA calculation.
• International applicants must additionally submit the following:
  • TOEFL scores or equivalent proof of English proficiency
  • A clear copy of your passport
  • Evidence of financial support

The following Selective Internal Pathway application requirements will be in effect for applicants in the following CASPA Application Cycles of 2023-2024 and beyond.

The Selective Internal Admission Pathway is designed for Butler University alumni and current students of any major who would like to pursue a Master of PA Studies degree. This is a competitive process as the Program will reserve 40% of each class to be admitted through this pathway. Admission to the Butler University PA Program through the Selective Internal Admission Pathway requires application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Application requirements

Candidates must maintain all application requirements of the Selective Internal Pathway through matriculation into the program.

To be eligible to apply, candidates must:

• Complete CASPA application and submit application fee.
  • All applications must be marked as “complete” in CASPA by July 15 in order to be reviewed.
• Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities (including Butler University) and other postsecondary institutions attended.
• Have no more than three outstanding prerequisite courses remaining at the time of application.
  • Only one Chemistry or Biology related prerequisite may be outstanding at the time of application.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation into the program.
• Earn a baccalaureate degree from Butler University before the start of the PA Program
  • College seniors are encouraged to apply, provided they will receive a baccalaureate degree prior to May start date of the PA Program.
• Earn a 3.2 or higher grade point average on all postsecondary course work.
  • Including all coursework completed at any regionally accredited institutions.
• Earn no grade of a “C-” or less on prerequisite courses.
  • A letter grade must be earned and listed on the official transcript for all prerequisite courses.
  • All attempts of repeated course work will be included in the GPA calculation.
• Submit three evaluations (letters of recommendation) to CASPA.

Students not eligible to apply via the Selective Internal Admission Pathway may apply to the Program via the Standard Admission Pathway.

Both the Standard and Selective Internal Admission Pathways are divided into two parts: (1) Application Review and (2) On-Campus Interviews. 

Note: The PA Program has the right to change admission and interview processes as it deems appropriate.

Application review

All applications for admission meeting prerequisites, application requirements, and the required postsecondary cumulative grade point average minimum of 3.2 will be reviewed. All questions in the application must be answered fully.

Further review of an application may include the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (BCP) GPA as calculated by CASPA. The PA Admission Committee and faculty will review the application to determine excellence in leadership, service, or scholarship (research, presentations, and/or publications) and effective written communication skills. It is the Program’s desire to establish a cohort of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

All applications must be marked as “complete” in CASPA by July 15 in order to be reviewed. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible to avoid the “volume crush” of applications that occurs near the July 15 deadline.

On-campus interview

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences faculty, staff, alumni, active preceptors, and/or community based PAs evaluate candidates during the on-campus interview.  Candidates invited to interview on campus will have multiple interactions. Candidates will complete a series of stations that are generally task oriented or interview based. The stations are designed to assess candidates for characteristics necessary to be successful within this Program and/or discernment to the PA profession. Candidates are ranked based on their cumulative scores from station evaluators.

Offers of admission

Decisions to admit candidates into the PA Program will be made by the PA Program Admission Committee. After the on-campus interview process, selected candidates will be extended a conditional offer of admission into the Butler University PA Program, generally via email. The candidate must accept the conditional offer of admission and submit a non-refundable deposit to secure a seat within the PA Program. The Office of Student Accounts will apply the deposit to the candidate’s tuition. The candidate must meet all University and PA Program prerequisites and requirements at the time of matriculation to enter into the Program.

Application timeline

The following timeline should provide guidance to those interested in applying to the Program. The PA Program has the right to change timelines, as it deems appropriate. Please contact PAadmission@butler.edu or 317-940-8268 for additional admission questions.

*The Butler University PA Program encourages all applicants to complete the Transcript Entry portion of the CASPA so as not to delay application completion processes.

Master of PA Studies information sessions

Information Sessions are designed for prospective students who are current undergraduate students or those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. Register for MPAS information sessions here.

Explore Butler: Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Current high school students interested in pursuing a Master of PA Studies in the future should register to attend an Explore Pharmacy & Health Sciences Session through the Office of Admission. Register for Pharmacy & Health Sciences information sessions.

The following admission and enrollment practices are followed:

• The Butler University PA Program is committed to accepting a diverse group of qualified individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The program selects students who reflect varied social, economic, ethnic, educational, and healthcare experience backgrounds. The program seeks students who excel in leadership, service, scholarship, communication, intellectual capacity, and interpersonal skills.
• Butler University graduates are at an advantage in the admission process through the Selective Internal Admission Pathway. Forty percent of each class will be reserved for students who have previously earned Butler degrees at the time they begin in the PA Program.
• The Butler University PA Program recognizes the special heritage to our profession provided by the United States Armed Services. One seat in the Program will be “reserved” for either a veteran or an active military member (Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard). The military candidate must meet all minimum application criteria and must participate in the interview process. Students should identify themselves as being interested in consideration for this “seat” at the time of CASPA application submission. This is a competitive process.
• The Butler University PA Program does not require healthcare experience for consideration of admission. However, the program looks to admit individuals with a wide range of backgrounds that may include healthcare experience. While previous healthcare experience or shadowing is not required, it may be useful to the student to help discern his or her interest in and aptitude for this career.
• International students are important to the fabric of the Butler student community; however, no special consideration is granted for an international student. If a student is looking to study in the United States under an F-1 or J-1 visa, we hope you will consider Butler University. International students must have a TOEFL score and evaluation of all international transcripts. Please note that this takes additional time. Deadlines will not be extended for these purposes. A TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based test) meets Butler University’s English language proficiency requirements. Butler’s TOEFL school code is 1073. World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) must evaluate all international transcripts. Please contact PAadmission@butler.edu or 317-940-8268 for guidance and/or questions regarding TOEFL or credential and/or transcript evaluation.

The Butler PA Program recognizes the difficult situation both institutions and students faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Below are details to our response provided by the Butler PA Admission Committee.

• As is our common practice, we will continue to accept coursework, including prerequisites that are completed online. This includes both lectures and labs.
• For application to our Program a letter grade for prerequisite coursework is required.
  • If you were required to take prerequisite courses for Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit during Spring or Summer 2020, the PA Admission Committee will take these applications into consideration. You must submit a form that includes verification from your institution that a grade of P/F, Credit/No Credit, or similar was required.
• SPA Application Cycle, the Butler PA Program will return to pre-pandemic prerequisite requirements where applicants may have no more than three outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of application and only one of these may be chemistry or biology-related.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation into the Program.

No other requirements have been changed. Prospective students can see all requirements for application.