Academics

The MDC-PA program utilizes the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Applicants are required to complete the CASPA application for the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant program.

• CASPA application opens on April 24, 2025, and closes on November 1, 2025.
• Applications need to be verified by CASPA by November 1, 2025, to be considered.

Applicants should ensure all documentation is submitted to CASPA prior to November 1, 2025, as verification can take up to 30 days and only verified applications will be evaluated.

• Transcripts for prerequisite courses completed after submission need to be uploaded and grades self-reported in the CASPA application. Unofficial transcripts must be emailed to mdcpaprogram@mdc.edu by November 1, 2025.

(For questions concerning the CASPA application visit CASPA FAQs or contact CASPA at (617) 612-2080.)

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Transcripts

Order and send official transcripts no later than June 1st of the year you are applying.

Please send transcripts to:

Miami Dade College
Attention: Transcript Department Processing Services
11011 S. W. 104 Street, Room 301
Miami, Florida 33176-3393

Sending Transcripts to MDC

Applicants for admission must request final, official academic transcripts from all secondary (high school) and postsecondary (college/university) attended. Domestic (U.S.) high school and/or college/university transcripts must be sent to Miami Dade College either electronically (by a third party) or by mail directly from institution(s) to institution.

Your admission to the college remains incomplete until all required official transcripts are submitted.

Sending Transcripts to MDC

FMGs must send translated transcripts and TOEFL to the above address as well.

Healthcare Experience is highly recommended but not required. This can be documented as direct patient care and/or shadowing. While there is no minimum number of hours, applicants with prior direct patient care and/or shadowing may be given higher consideration.

***Please submit Healthcare experience and shadowing to CASPA.

The PA-CAT examination must be completed before applying to the program. Applications will not be reviewed until all required PA-CAT scores are received.

Candidates must select MDC in their PA-CAT scores portal for MDC to see their official PA-CAT scores at the time of application submission.

Study and register to take the PA-CAT:

1. Visit https://www.pa-cat.com/ to create your PA-CAT account and purchase your exam eligibility.
2. Ensure that the MDC PA Program is selected as the institution to receive your score report within your PA-CAT account.
3. You can access your PA-CAT account anytime at the PA-CAT website.
4. It is recommended that you take the PA-CAT early in the application cycle to be considered for early admission. The latest recommended date to take the PA-CAT is October 1st, 2025. The PA-CAT score submission deadline is November 1st for each admission cycle.

Note: Schedule your PA-CAT Examination before submitting your CASPA application

Supplemental Application

Applicants are required to apply to Miami Dade College for admission, as part of the supplemental application, and pay a non-refundable $30.00 application processing fee to be considered for admission to MDC.

Apply to Miami Dade College for admission (First-time users create an account) or readmission. Fee $30

Note: There is no need to submit additional documents as the program evaluates only documents received in CASPA.

The Admissions Commitee Process:

1. The Admissions Committee will review applications and invite selected students for the Written Essay Examination and interview.
2. The Committee will evaluate the applications, aggregate scores, and select students for the class.
3. Applicants are given the same consideration regardless of when they are scheduled for the essay examination and interview.
4. Notifications will be sent at different times: some applicants will receive early notification, while others will receive their final application status at the end of the selection process.
5. Acceptances will be made in stages throughout the cycle.

Selected Students:

• Receive conditional acceptance letters and are recommended to Miami Dade College.
• Pay a non-refundable $800 seat deposit upon receiving the official acceptance letter. Details on payment are pending.
• Visit Tuition and Fees for the MDC-PA program costs.

Class Selection and Alternates List:

• Acceptance letters for NSU-MDC sent by February 1st.
• Submit a $800 deposit and required documentation.
• 10 Alternates will be ranked, notified by email, and will be waiting for seat availability.

Students are selected for an interview once all admission requirements are met. Students who receive notification of an interview should respond within 48 hours or risk the chance of securing a spot. The interview process involves an oral interview along with a requirement to write a short essay in 30 minutes.

The program's selections committee is seeking applicants who:

• Desire a career as a physician assistant and have a good understanding of the role of the PA
• Mission driven: the student priority aligns with the Miami Dade PA-program mission
• Demonstrates the ability to successfully complete a rigorous healthcare program
• Possess some experience in the delivery of health care
• Demonstrates a commitment to the team concept in health care
• Communicates effectively and efficiently both in writing and in speech
• Demonstrate a commitment to community service

1. Military Veterans
2. Miami-Dade County residents however, all students are considered

Students Accepted to the MDC are then required to apply to NSU no later than March 1st.

Master of Health Science (M.H.Sc.) | NSU College of Health Care Sciences (nova.edu)

Admission Requirements:

All students applying to the NSU M.H.Sc. Program must complete all the following steps by March 1:

• Complete an NSU M.H.Sc. Program application form with the prevalent application fee: https://apply.nova.edu/
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: During the application process, when asked about a concentration, please choose "No Concentration" in the drop-down menu.
• Provide evidence of acceptance into the Miami-Dade College Physician Assistant Program
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: MDC will provide proof of acceptance.
• Provide evidence of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Provide official college, certificate, and/or diploma-based transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, sent directly from the institutions to NSU.
• Send transcripts and all required documents to:
  
  Nova Southeastern University
  Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
  3301 College Avenue
  P.O. Box 299000
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33329-9905

All coursework from international institution(s):

The applicant is responsible for contacting one of the evaluation services listed below. The evaluation must be course by course, including a cumulative GPA. The official evaluation must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the NSU EPS address shown above for all documents:

• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
  P.O. Box 415070
  Milwaukee, WI 53203
  (855) 400-6042
  www.ece.org
• World Education Services, Inc.
  P.O. Box 745
  Old Chelsea Station
  New York, NY 10113-0745
  (855) 665-1722
  www.wes.org

For questions about the Master of Health Science program at NSU, please contact the following individuals:

• Debra A. Dixon RDH, MS, DHSc
  Associate Professor and Master of Health Science Director
  (954) 612-3865
  dd1026@nova.edu
• Danielle White
  Admissions Counselor
  Graduate Admissions
  Enrollment Management and Students Affairs (EMSA)
  (954) 262-1121
  dw1396@nova.edu

Admission Timeline for 2025–2026 Application Cycle

Date	Event
April 24, 2025	MDC CASPA applications open Applications are reviewed continuously until the class is filled
Ongoing	Only CASPA “Verified” applications will be considered and only applicants with completed Supplemental Applications considered*
October 1, 2025	Last day to take PA-CAT exam
June 2025 – January 2026	Interviews offered
November 1, 2025	MDC CASPA applications close Last day to submit CASPA, all documents, and Supplemental Application
March 2026	Nova Orientation
Early May	MDC Orientation
April 2026	Class of 2027 classes begin at NSU
May 2026	Class of 2027 classes begin at MDC

Note: Proposed timeline and dates are tentative and are subject to change