JWU Physician Assistant program

URI-Johnson & Wales University Physician Assistant Studies Program Linkage – 2026 Admission Cycle 

JWU will interview all qualified URI applicants for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies who meet the following academic and experiential requirements, and adhere to application procedures as outlined below. 

Academic Requirements:

By the end of December 2025, complete at least 32 of the following required credits prior to application with no grade below C. All remaining required courses must be completed by the end of May 2026. 

Advanced Placement (AP) or other pre-college credits do not fulfill these requirements. 

Anatomy and Physiology

—8 credits with labs (coursework expires after 7 years): 

  • BIO 220-221 (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) and 222-223 (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab). 

Biology

—8 credits 1 with labs (BIO or CMB). 

Recommended: 

  • BIO 101-103, Principles of Biology I and Lab (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) 
  • BIO 102-104, Principles of Biology II and Lab (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) 

Note: If you have AP or other pre-collect credit: take 8 credits of advanced BIO or CMB with laboratory. 

Chemistry—8 credits* with labs: 

Possible combinations: 

CHM 101-102 (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) and CHM 112-114 (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) 

CHM 103-105 (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) and CHM 124-126 (3 cr. w/ 1 cr. lab) 

Also applicable: 

CHM 227 (3 cr. lecture) | CHM 226 (2 cr. lab) | CHM 228 (3 cr. lecture) |CMB 311 (3 cr.) 

Note: CMB 311 is highly recommended in addition to two CHM courses at the 100 or 200 level 

Genetics—1 course: 

BIO/CMB 352 

Microbiology—1 course: 

CMB 201 OR  211 

College-Level Mathematics; Statistics Preferred—1 course: 

STA 307, 308, or higher OR MTH 103 or higher 

Behavioral Science, psychology and Sociology Preferred—3 credits:  

PSY 113 (3 cr.) or higher 

Minimum GPAs: A CASPA-calculated cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and a CASPA calculated BCP grade point average of 3.50. 

BCP courses at URI are in BIO, CMB, CHM, NEU, and PHY. 

Other Requirements:

Direct Patient Care Experience: 

At least 250 hours of direct patient care experience (paid or volunteer) in an allopathic or osteopathic medical setting prior to application are required. Qualifying experiences are specified on the JWU website; experiences not indicated on the website should be verified as acceptable by the Director of Admissions in advance of participation. 

Internships where students earned academic credit are not accepted.

Shadowing:

Opposed to applying for medical school where shadowing is required, PA programs do not require a minimum or certain amount of shadowing experience. However, it’s highly recommended and often preferred, and shadowing a PA can be a valuable way to gain insight into the profession and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

Letter of Recommendation: 

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation are required, and one (1) should be from a URI science faculty member that is familiar with your academic work. All letters of recommendation should be submitted via the CASPA application. 

Applying: 

Optimal Timeline 

By May 15, 2025: 

  • Complete and submit your PA school applicant self-assessment to the Director of Pre-Health Professions Advising. 
  • Meet with the Director of Pre-Health Advising to determine if you qualify to be nominated for the linkage. 

By July 1, 2025:
If you are nominated for the linkage: submit an application to the Physician Assistant Program at Johnson & Wales University through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).  

Admission is contingent upon:  

  • Final confirmation of eligibility is determined by the JWU PA admission committee based on information from nominees’ verified CASPA application and other supporting documentation
  • A successful interview by a JWU Admissions interviewer. Interviews typically occur during the fall semester. 
  • Fulfillment of all JWU requirements for admission into the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program
  • If granted an offer of admission, it is understood that students must fulfill additional requirements for accepted applicants prior to matriculation (e.g. physical exam, criminal background check, Basic Life Support certification.) 

For more information about the PA Program at Johnson & Wales University, visit their website or watch our most recent information session below: 

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