School of PA Medicine Applying to the MS in Physician Assistant Studies Program

Application Fees

Northwest University does not collect any application fees. Fees required to submit the CASPA application are submitted directly to CASPA. For information on fees and any refunds, you will need to contact CASPA directly. CASPA does offer a fee assistance program with a limited number of fee waivers to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Transcripts

All official transcripts must be submitted through CASPA. DO NOT send official transcripts to Northwest University unless requested to do so by the university. If an application is missing any course(s) or transcript(s), it will be removed from further consideration.

Important: 

• If you have been previously enrolled as a student in a physician assistant, medical (including foreign), or ANY health profession or allied health profession program (including, but not limited to MD, DO, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, podiatry, etc.), you MUST provide all transcripts. 
• Foreign degrees must be accompanied by a transcript evaluation (learn more). 
• Veterans: Official transcripts from all attended regionally accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning must be submitted in your CASPA application. A Joint Services Transcript is not required unless it includes courses with letter or number grade.

Any documents and/or materials submitted to the PA program for application purposes are the sole property of the NU School of PA Medicine and will not be released, copied, or returned. 

Admission Practices Favoring Specified Individuals or Groups 

Northwest University School of PA Medicine acknowledges the following preferences* 

• Qualified Veterans 
• Northwest University Graduates 

* These preferences offer a guaranteed interview if the minimum admissions requirements are fulfilled as posted on our website. 

Important to note: Applicants that do not possess any of the preferences are still encouraged to apply. 

Qualified Veterans 

Northwest University School of PA Medicine is proud to serve veterans. Learn more about Resources for Veterans including veteran’s benefits. 

A qualified veteran is a person who served on active duty in any branch of the armed forces and received an honorable or general discharge; anyone currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves; or anyone currently serving in active duty, provided they can obtain leave to attend PA school. 

Official transcripts from all attended regionally accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning must be submitted in your CASPA application. A Joint Services Transcript is not required unless it includes courses with letter or number grade. 

Note: Qualified veterans must upload a copy of military paperwork (i.e., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) in the Documents Section of the CASPA application to receive this preference.  

Application Updates 

Once your application is submitted, minimal updates can be made. If you want to update your PCE or volunteering hours, they must be submitted in CASPA first, then you may send an email to the pa-admissions@northwestu.edu notifying us of the update. Application updates made after the deadline (January 15) will not be reviewed or considered as part of your application.

AI Usage

The PA Program recognizes that applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of their application preparation; however, it may not be used to generate personal statements, responses, or other application content that represents original thought, reflection, or lived experience. Applicants remain fully responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of all materials submitted. The use of AI in a manner that misrepresents an applicant’s work, voice, or qualifications may be considered a violation of the program’s professionalism standards and could result in disqualification from the admissions process.

The NU School of PA Medicine adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, military service, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. NU School of PA Medicine fully recognizes the importance of fostering diversity in the PA student body to create a future PA workforce representative of a variety of cultures and backgrounds to provide effective delivery of health care to patient populations that are not homogenous. People from all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, educational backgrounds, and groups underrepresented in medicine (URiM) are strongly encouraged to apply.