*If an applicant is accepted to the Program, a non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required to hold a seat in the incoming cohort.  This payment must be made by the deadline.  Those applicants who matriculate into the Program will have the deposit put towards their tuition.

Application Process

FAQ About the Application Process

Application is a TWO-PART process:

Part One

• All applicants must apply and be admitted to the JMU Graduate School. For information about this application process, see:  The Graduate School.  The Graduate School application is found here:  https://www.applyweb.com/jmug/index.html
  • Applicants do not need to submit letters of recommendations with the Graduate School application.
  • Applicants do not need to submit transcripts to the Graduate School with the Graduate School application.  If you are offered admission to the PA program, you will need to send original transcripts to the JMU Graduate School prior to beginning classes.
• The JMU Graduate School charges a $60 application fee.  If you cannot afford this fee, you may apply for a graduate application fee waiver.
• After completing the Graduate School application, download and save it as a PDF file.

Part Two

• All applicants must also apply to the PA Program through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
• Complete all aspects of the CASPA application including letters of recommendation and transcripts.  If you cannot afford the CASPA application fees, please read consider their fee assistance and/or fee waiver policies.   
• Be sure to upload your JMU Graduate School application PDF file into the “Documents” section of the CASPA application. 
  Application to both the Graduate School and CASPA must be submitted by June 15^th. CASPA forwards only complete and verified applications to the PA Program.  A complete and verified CASPA application contains all required information including the uploaded JMU Graduate School application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. In order for an application to be considered by the PA program,  CASPA must verify the application by July 15^th. 

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters are required (through the CAPSA application).  Letters are best from prior supervisors/employers, university professors, and/or medical professionals (clinicians) who have observed you working or volunteering in a patient care environment (not simply someone you shadowed briefly).  Letters of recommendation from friends or family members are highly discouraged.