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Hofstra University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites

What Hofstra asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 11 lines differ from the standard PA school set, marked below.

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Coursework

  • Biology with labrequiredextra here

    2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

    "General Biology (with laboratory): 8 s.h." Two courses of 4 credits each with lab. Waivable when a more advanced biology course, beyond the prerequisites, was passed with a B+ or better.

  • General chemistry with labrequired

    2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

    "General Chemistry (with laboratory): 8 s.h.," 4 credits each with lab. Waivable when a more advanced chemistry course, beyond the prerequisites, was passed with a B+ or better.

  • Biochemistryrequired

    1 semester · 3 credits

    One line, either course: "Biochemistry: 3 s.h. or Organic Chemistry: 4 s.h." Within five years of the start of the curriculum.

  • English or writing-intensivenot required here

    No English or writing course appears on the prerequisite list.

  • Statisticsrequired

    1 semester · 3 credits

    "Statistics: 3 s.h."

  • Psychologynot required here

    No psychology course appears on Hofstra's prerequisite list.

  • Advanced biologyrequiredextra here

    1 semester · 3 credits

    "Genetics or cell biology or another upper-level biology, i.e. pathophysiology, immunology, virology, pharmacology*, molecular biology, neuroscience, etc.: 3-4 s.h." Pharmacology "may be taken in the chemistry department." One course; it cannot double as another prerequisite.

  • Anatomy and physiologyrequireddiffers

    2 semesters · 8 credits

    Most PA programmes ask for 2 semesters · 8 credits · lab.

    Two lines: "Human Physiology: 4 s.h." and "Human Anatomy: 4 s.h." No laboratory is stated for either. "Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) I and II may be taken instead of separate anatomy and physiology courses. Both A&P I and A&P II must be taken." Within five years of the start of the curriculum.

  • Microbiologyrequireddiffers

    1 semester · 4 credits

    Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 4 credits · lab.

    "Microbiology: 4 s.h." No laboratory is stated. Within five years of the start of the curriculum.

  • Medical terminologynot required here

    Not on the prerequisite list.

Experience hours

  • Patient care experiencerecommendeddiffers

    500+ hours

    Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours and list it as required.

    No separate hands-on minimum; the 50 hour requirement is recorded on the healthcare experience line because Hofstra counts volunteering and shadowing toward it. The FAQ adds that "weight is given to applicants with prior medical experience," so hands-on hours still help.

  • Healthcare experiencerequireddiffers

    50+ hours

    Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours and list it as recommended.

    Hofstra publishes one figure and does not split patient care from other healthcare experience: "A minimum of 50 hours of healthcare experience." The FAQ says it "must involve interaction with patients," paid or volunteer, and lists hospital or outpatient volunteering, PA shadowing, medical assistant, patient care technician, CNA, phlebotomist, LPN or RN, respiratory therapist, EMT or paramedic, pharmacy technician, PT aide and in-person medical scribe as examples. Matriculants must later supply a signed letter on institutional letterhead stating total hours and duties.

  • PA shadowingrecommended

    20+ hours

    "Shadowing a physician assistant (strongly recommended)," listed among the activities that count toward the 50 healthcare experience hours. No figure is given.

Letters

  • Science faculty letterrecommended

    No published minimum

    Only a handful of programs require a science faculty letter by name. An academic letter is welcome nearly everywhere and mandatory almost nowhere.

  • PA letterrecommendeddiffers

    1 letter

    Most PA programmes publish no minimum.

    Not named. "Two letters of reference are required" with no writer type specified.

  • Supervisor letterrecommendeddiffers

    1 letter

    Most PA programmes publish no minimum.

    Not named. Two letters are required and the page does not say who should write them.

Also on the school’s page

Hofstra's MS applicant page lists eight prerequisite lines in semester hours and two absolute GPA floors: "Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30; Cumulative science GPA of 3.30." The program's FAQ (hofstra.edu/physician-assistant-studies/faq.html) calls the floor "absolute": "applicants whose GPA falls below our minimum requirement cannot be considered for admission," and GPAs are the ones CASPA calculates. Recency: "Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry or organic chemistry must be taken within the past five years of the start of the curriculum," with no exception for working clinicians. General biology and general chemistry "may be waived in circumstances where more advanced biology and chemistry courses, respectively, have been passed with a grade of B+ or better," and each course can satisfy only one prerequisite. Four year U.S. colleges and courses designated for science or pre-med majors are preferred. Up to two prerequisites may be planned or in progress at application; all must be finished before matriculation. "No, Hofstra's PA program does not require the GRE"; the PA-CAT is not mentioned. Two letters of recommendation, no writer type specified, and a personal essay. The page states these requirements for "postbaccalaureate students seeking entrance into the fall 2026 cohort," the most recent version published; check the Graduate Studies Bulletin for the fall 2027 update. CASPA deadline is August 1 with the application verified by that date, plus a $50 university supplemental fee; admission is rolling from April with interviews monthly from September, and an interview is required. Pre-interview screening awards points for GPA, letters, health care and volunteer experience, the personal statement, fewer schools attended, fewer withdrawals, incompletes and C grades, more upper level science courses with a B or better, and three or more science courses in one semester.

School

hofstra.edu/academics/colleges/nursing-physician-assistant/physician-assistant/index.html

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