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Physician Assistant Program

Physician Assistant Program Accreditation

  • Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (since 2014)

  • Accredited by the Ohio Board of Regents (since 2013)

  • ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued status, affirming full compliance with national standards

  • Next validation review: September 2028
     

Candidates planning to practice outside Ohio should review additional state licensure requirements (updated annually via The Bookmark©).
For questions, contact paeducation@lec.edu.

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Program Distinctions & Achievements

  • 100% first-time PANCE pass rate for the Classes of 2025, above the national average since 2016

  • Graduates practice across diverse specialties nationwide

  • 98.4% graduation rate since 2014 (above national average)

  • 10-year ARC-PA accreditation-continued status

  • Multiple national awards and competition achievements

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Attrition and Graduation Summary

In the past three years, the PA Program enrolled 26 students per cohort.​ Attrition rates remain below the national average.

Across all three cohorts, every student who entered the program ultimately graduated, demonstrating strong program retention.

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World-Class Clinical Experiences

Lake Erie College partners with leading healthcare systems, including:

  • University Hospitals

  • Cleveland Clinic

  • Akron Children’s Hospital

  • Louis Stokes VA Medical Center

Students benefit from high-quality clinical environments and extensive employment opportunities across Northeast Ohio.

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Outstanding Faculty

  • Student-to-faculty ratio better than 10:1; hands-on labs of 6–8 students

  • All core faculty actively practice medicine

  • Over 100 years combined clinical experience and 55 years of PA education

  • Medical Director serves as CMO of University Hospitals East Market

  • A&P instruction by dual MD/PhD faculty

  • Faculty serve as leaders, grant recipients, and collaborators in major national organizations

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Integrated & Comprehensive Curriculum

  • Dedicated PA Program suite

  • Module-based curriculum with PBL integration

  • Three semesters of synchronized pharmacology

  • Textbooks, board review materials, medical equipment, scrubs, and lab coats included in tuition

  • Extensive ultrasound resources and training

  • High-fidelity simulation including the Next Generation Harvey® Cardiopulmonary Simulator

  • Early clinical experiences beginning within weeks of matriculation (Tumor Board, ED, OR, Nursing Homes, Coroner’s Office, Genetics Lab)

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Unique Opportunities: Dual MBA Option

  • Automatic acceptance into the Parker MBA Program upon PA Program graduation

  • Three PA courses count toward MBA degree requirements (25% time and financial savings)

  • Enhances preparation for leadership roles​

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Unique Opportunities: Focused Strengths

  • Emergency Medicine

  • Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine

  • Ultrasound Application

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Comprehensive Student Credentials

Students graduate with a robust portfolio, which may include:

  • ACLS & BLS (AHA)

  • NIH Stroke Scale

  • HIPAA and Ethics/Compliance

  • Bloodborne Pathogens & Universal Precautions

  • Abuse, Assault & Neglect

  • Aseptic Technique

  • OR Protocols

  • Fall Prevention

  • Additional Hospital-Required Competencies

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Apply to the MSPAS Program

Lake Erie College uses the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). No secondary application is required.

Submit the following through CASPA:

  • Personal statement (500–1,000 words).

  • Official transcripts sent directly to CASPA:
    CASPA, P.O. Box 9108, Watertown, MA 02471

  • Three references (see reference categories below).

  • Documentation of healthcare experience, including PA shadowing. Upload forms directly to CASPA and retain personal copies.
     

Applications and transcripts must be received by November 1, but early submission before September 1 is strongly recommended due to rolling admissions. CASPA must verify all materials before the program will review an application. Selected applicants will be contacted by email for interviews.

Accepted applicants must submit a non-refundable deposit to hold their seat:

  • $1,000 within two weeks of acceptance

  • $500 more by March 1

  • Applicants accepted after March 1 submit the combined $1,500 deposit

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Deposits, tuition, and fees are subject to change.

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Acuity Insights Assessments

Applicants must complete Acuity Insights Assessments, which includes:

  • Casper: A 90–110 minute situational judgment test​

Register using code CSP-10101 – Professional Health Sciences at AcuityInsights.app.

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Degree Requirement

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA.

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Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite coursework should be completed within 7 years before application, with a minimum grade of B- or better, except Organic Chemistry, which accepts C- or better. Substitutions may be considered individually.

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Required courses:

  • General Chemistry I & II with labs

  • Organic Chemistry with lab

  • Biology I & II with labs

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs

  • Microbiology with lab

  • Statistics

  • Psychology

  • English (no time limit)

  • College Algebra (no time limit)
     

Recommended:

  • Genetics

  • Medical Terminology

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Healthcare Experience

At least 24 hours of the 250 hours must be from direct shadowing of a licensed physician assistant, which may include virtual shadowing experiences.

 Here is the form for PA shadowing. Although this form does not need to be used exclusively, all prospective students will need to retain documentation and upload this documentation into CASPA. Documentation must be available for verification.

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This requirement may be met through paid or volunteer experiences. While shadowing a physician assistant or physician will meet this requirement, prior experiences where the applicant has assumed direct responsibility for patient care is preferred.

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Students may use the following to meet this requirement and include but are not limited to: shadowing a PA or physician in an office or hospital; volunteering or working as an emergency medical technician; working as a nurse, nurse's aide, respiratory therapist, paramedic, athletic trainer, pharmacy technician, scribe or other healthcare provider; or volunteering in a healthcare facility. 

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The healthcare experience is intended to strengthen interpersonal skills and to develop an understanding of the role of healthcare provider. All shadowing and healthcare experience must be completed prior to matriculation.

​References

Three references are required, one from each category:

  1. A licensed PA-C, MD, or DO

  2. A college or university professor (doctoral-level) with whom the applicant completed a course

  3. A reference of the applicant’s choice who can speak to academic performance, work ethic, or professionalism

References from relatives are discouraged.

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Interview

Following the initial review of applications, a limited number of applicants will be invited for a personal interview. Verbal and interpersonal communication skills will be assessed during the interview as well as the candidate’s qualifications overall. The composite interview score is an important component for determining admission to the program. Knowledge of health care policy and personal maturity along with interpersonal skills and verbal communication skills will be assessed and scored. Scores from the interviewed candidates will be used to create an alternate list. Should a position in the next cohort become available, the position will be offered to the candidate with the highest-ranking score.

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Disclosure of Admission Practices

​The Lake Erie College PA Program respects the growing diversity of the population in the United States. As such, we are committed to matriculating students from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. This includes students from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and those who have served in the military or demonstrated other forms of service. We welcome applications from all backgrounds as this enhances the collaborative process and enriches the classroom experience. In addition, the PA Program strongly considers applicants who demonstrate characteristics that align with our mission and goals. Community service, volunteering, and a history of serving others are strongly considered during the evaluation process. Attributes beyond the minimum requirements will be considered during the interview process.

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Additional Policies

Advanced Placement

The program does not offer advanced placement, and prerequisite coursework does not replace program courses.

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Criminal Record and Background Checks

All admitted students must complete BCI and FBI background checks and drug screening. Issues must be appealed directly through CastleBranch. Checks are repeated before clinical rotations.

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Working While in the Program

Employment is strongly discouraged due to the program’s rigorous, full-time nature.

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Technical Standards

Students must demonstrate intellectual, observational, motor, communication, and behavioral abilities necessary to safely practice medicine. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with law, but all students must meet the essential requirements to complete the program and deliver safe patient care.

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Early Acceptance Opportunity (EAO)

Up to four seats per cohort are reserved for qualified Lake Erie College undergraduates and eligible transfer students who have committed to completing their degree at LEC.

Interested students must apply two years before matriculation between March 1 and May 1.

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If Accepted Students must:

  • Submit a CASPA application in the appropriate cycle

  • Complete the formal interview with outside applicants

  • Maintain a 3.5 GPA

  • Earn a B or better in all prerequisites (C minimum allowed only for Organic Chemistry)

  • Complete at least 750 healthcare hours and 100 PA shadowing hours by matriculation

  • Participate in at least two PA program events each year

  • Meet all requirements expected of traditional applicants

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Students failing to maintain standards may still apply through the traditional CASPA pathway.

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Office of Financial Aid

PA Program Faculty

PA Program Staff

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