Frequently Asked Questions

Elon PA participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applicants will apply online using the CASPA application. To apply, visit caspa.liaisoncas.com.

Note: Candidates who have already applied via CASPA to other programs may use their existing CASPA application and designate Elon.

Your application must be verified by CASPA. Note: The CASPA verification process can take up to four weeks.

Once verified, the Office of Graduate Admissions will receive and process your application file. All applicants will receive an email from the Office of Graduate Admissions, including confirmation of receipt and login instructions to their Elon Application Status Page. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of their application by monitoring their status page.

Please allow up to two weeks from verification for your application file to be processed. If you do not receive an email within this timeline, please first check your spam/promotions tab for the sender ‘Elon University Office of Graduate Admissions.’ If you have still not received an email, please contact our team at gradadm@elon.edu for assistance.

All applicants who submit a verified CASPA application to Elon will receive a personalized Elon Application Status Page outlining the status of required materials. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of their application via their Elon Application Status Page. All applicable next steps and admissions decisions will be shared in the Elon Application Status Page as well.

*If you have any questions about the verification process or missing documents, please contact CASPA first. After speaking with CASPA, if you still have questions, please contact the Graduate Admissions Team at 336-278-7600 or gradadm@elon.edu.

Elon PA is committed to a holistic evaluation of each application file. Our program seeks to build a class of students who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences in order to develop dedicated and empathetic healthcare professionals.

We are a competitive program and evaluate each application on its own merits. Admission decisions are based on all academic work (including undergraduate GPA and overall science GPA), interview scores, health care experience, letters of recommendation, demonstrated service and leadership ability. Motivation, maturity, interpersonal skills, knowledge of the PA profession and the healthcare system, and the mission of the Elon PA program are also considered.

In alignment with the Elon PA program mission “Learning. Caring. Serving. Leading,” our program values the following in our admissions process:

Lived experiences (or identities) that are currently underrepresented in the PA profession
Cultural humility
Critical thinking/problem solving
Adaptability to change
Ability to collaborate and work in teams
Demonstrable service to others
Accountability to oneself and others

Coursework (including prerequisites) receiving a pass/fail grade in the academic years of 2020 and 2021 will be accepted. No documentation is required from applicants.

Invitations to interview will be extended via email to qualified candidates. An interview is required for admission; all interviews will be conducted virtually.

Candidates who are offered admission and are choosing to enroll in the program must confirm their seat in the class by submitting the reply form and a $1,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit by the date listed in their acceptance letter. This deposit is fully credited to the student’s tuition upon matriculation to the program.

Admission to Elon PA is highly competitive and receives approximately 2,500 applications annually.

All applications are reviewed holistically, however, the committee typically doesn’t offer an interview to candidates whose undergraduate GPA, overall science GPA, or health care experience hours at the time of application fall below the required minimums.

Elon PA students completed clinical rotations at various locations around the state and around the country. While some clinical experiences are local, students should expect to travel more than an hour from Elon for four or more rotations. These decisions are made by our clinical team with input from our students.

Applicants may have one outstanding science prerequisite at the time of application. All prerequisites must be satisfied by the time of enrollment.

All science prerequisite courses must be successfully completed within 10 years prior to enrollment. For example, if you are applying to enroll in the January 2026 cohort, coursework must be completed in 2016 or later.

The psychology course requirement does not have a time limit.

Yes, a lab is required with anatomy, general chemistry, and the additional chemistry prerequisites. Combined anatomy & physiology courses should be taken with a lab. A lab is preferred but not required for physiology.

You may either take separate courses in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology, or you may substitute 2 semesters of a combined Anatomy/Physiology course.

No, AP courses are not accepted to fulfill prerequisites.

Prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. This includes courses taken at community colleges or online institutions.

No, Medical Terminology is not a prerequisite requirement for Elon. However, many students find the course helpful upon matriculation into the program.

Applicants will be prompted to share shadowing hours in the required supplemental application.

Shadowing with other medical professionals (such as MD or NP) does not fulfill this requirement.

Applicants are encouraged to select references who will provide a meaningful perspective based on their observations and interactions with you. References should not be a personal friend of family member.

Three recommendation letters are required, including one from a Physician Assistant or other healthcare provider; and two others. It is highly recommended that an applicant provides a faculty or academic reference.

Letters of recommendation should be submitted from the reference’s professional email address (not personal), be written on letterhead, and include the reference’s signature.

No, as of the 2021-22 admissions cycle, Elon PA does not require the GRE (or any other standardized test). Any scores sent to Elon will not be considered.

For any courses listed as “planned” or “in progress,” you may self-report the final grade into your CASPA application. If enrolling in the program, final official transcript(s) will be required prior to matriculating.

Please note that once your application is verified, CASPA will not recalculate your GPAs.

Applicants are encouraged to keep their CASPA application up to date, however, the admissions committee will only consider hours shared in the supplemental application at the time of submission.

Acceptable forms of health care experience include, but are not limited to:

• Athletic trainer
• Dental assistant
• Dental hygienist
• Emergency medical technician
• Emergency room technician
• Laboratory technologist
• Medical assistant
• Medical interpreter
• Medical technologist
• Military medical/clinical specialist
• Nursing assistant
• Nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Occupational therapy assistant
• Ophthalmic assistant
• Orderly
• Orthopedic cast technician
• Paramedic
• Patient care technician
• Pharmacist
• Pharmacy technician
• Phlebotomist
• Physical therapist assistant
• Physical therapist
• Radiological technologist
• Scribe
• Surgical technician
• Shadowing a physician assistant

Preference will be given to candidates who have direct patient care experiences that required a prior period of training based on the length/rigor of the required training. In addition, preference will be given to candidates who have completed greater numbers of health care experience hours.

Unacceptable forms of health care experience include, but are not limited to:

• Aerobics instructor
• CPR or ACLS instructor
• Lifeguard
• Intramural coordinator
• Massage therapist
• Medical secretary or other clerical positions
• Medical sales
• Non-clinical research assistant
• Pharmaceutical representative

Please list your health care experiences based on the sections listed via CASPA:

Healthcare Experience
Both paid and unpaid work in a health or health-related field where you are not directly responsible for a patient’s care, but may still have patient interaction; for example, filling prescriptions, performing clerical work, delivering patient food, cleaning patients and/or their rooms, administering food or medication, taking vitals or other record-keeping information, working as a scribe, CNA (depending on job description), medical assistant, etc.

Patient Care Experience
Experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient’s care. For example, prescribing medication, performing procedures, directing a course of treatment, designing a treatment regimen, actively working on patients as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, phlebotomist, physical therapist, dental hygienist, etc.

Research
Any experience working on a research project, preferably in addition to or outside of regular classroom work. This may include student research positions, research technician positions, summer research student, master’s rotational student, etc.

Shadowing
Time spent officially following and observing a health care professional at work, preferably in the physician assistant field.

Do not repeat hours between experience types. If position duties encompass more than one section, enter the position in both sections and divide the hours and duties accordingly.

You are eligible to serve as a preceptor if you are:

• An NCCPA-certified physician assistant (PA), board-certified medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO), nurse practitioner (NP) or certified nurse midwife (CNM).
• Licensed and in good standing with your state licensing board.
• Have at least one year of clinical experience in your current discipline and practice setting.
• Willing to assist students in meeting their required learning objectives for the rotation (listed in each rotation setting syllabus).

All students complete clinical rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral medicine, and women’s health (focused on gynecology and prenatal care). Women’s health and behavioral medicine are 3-week rotations; all others are 6 weeks. Students also select one 6-week “elective” rotation in any discipline. All rotations must provide a minimum of 32 hours of hands-on patient care per week. Participation in call, weekend rotations, and activities such as long-term care visits, is encouraged.

Students should be able to perform comprehensive and focused histories and physical exams. Their clinical reasoning skills will develop over time, but they should be able to generate differential diagnoses and suggest next steps for diagnosis and treatment. They should possess basic patient education and counseling skills and have training in procedures such as phlebotomy, splinting, wound care, and pap smears. Students’ experience levels will vary.

Preceptors and students will receive rotation-specific learning objectives in advance. On the first day of the rotation, preceptors should meet with the student to review expectations. A mid-rotation check-in is strongly recommended. Ongoing informal feedback is vital to student development. Preceptors complete a mid- and end-of-rotation evaluation online. Program faculty and staff are available at any time for questions or concerns.

Effective preceptors Foster a welcoming learning environment. The first few days should orient the student to practice operations and allow observation. After direct observation confirms readiness, students can conduct histories and exams independently, present findings, and collaborate on assessments and plans. Preceptors should periodically observe students directly throughout the rotation. Students must document only as allowed by site policy and supervision, and preceptors remain responsible for all final documentation and orders.

Students also need to practice clinical procedures as opportunities arise. This includes phlebotomy, starting IVs, wound care, splinting and pap smears, which are taught in the first year and need to be reinforced throughout the clinical year. Students in a surgical setting need to be involved in the pre- and postoperative management of patients, and as appropriate, should assist in surgery.

Yes. Students may work with other qualified practitioners in the practice. All supervising practitioners must meet eligibility criteria, complete a preceptor profile, and be approved by the program.  Typically, a primary preceptor coordinates the experience and oversees the final evaluation.

Elon University provides professional liability insurance for PA students during their rotations with coverage limits of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate.

Yes. Students are trained in HIPAA compliance, OSHA regulations, and post-exposure protocols. Students are fully immunized and complete annual tuberculosis screening before starting clinical rotations.

Preceptors enjoy the rewards of mentoring future clinicians and enriching their practice environments. Benefits include:

• Shape the Future: Make a lasting impact on healthcare by guiding and educating future PAs.
• CME: Earn Continuing Medical Education credits for your precepting efforts and free registration for Elon-sponsored Category I CME events.
• Honorarium: Receive honorarium as a token of our appreciation.
• 1:1 Consultation: If desired, Elon PA faculty will gladly consult with your practice on how to integrate learners into your space
• Preceptor Referral Program: Refer a colleague (MD, DO, NP, PA, CNM) to join our Preceptor Program and receive $50 for every new preceptor who hosts students

Additional recognition opportunities are under development, and we welcome your suggestions.

Some sites require onboarding, credentialing, or orientation. Our clinical education team will guide students and preceptors through these requirements to minimize administrative burden.

Students are expected to follow the preceptor’s schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, or call, and must complete a minimum of 32 hours per week or 204 hours over the 6-week rotation. Typically, students attend 40+ hours/week, but the program is flexible for alternative schedules. Students may not take time off from their scheduled clinical days to study.

We welcome both regular and occasional preceptors; there is no minimum commitment required. However, we value long-term collaboration and seek to establish ongoing partnerships that support our students and preceptors for years to come.

Please provide real-time feedback directly to the student and notify the Director of Clinical Experiences immediately if significant concerns arise.

Stephanie Henderson, Director of Clinical Experiences, can be reached at (336) 278-6841 or shenderson13@elon.edu.

Interested preceptors may also complete our online interest form for a faster start: Elon PA Preceptor Profile form.