Frequently Asked Questions

The Duke PA Program is 24 months split between the pre-clinical and clinical phases of the program.

For the 2025 incoming PA class, 2928 verified CASPA applications were received and 2116 supplemental applications were submitted. Of those, approximately 250 applicants were interviewed. Ninety applicants accepted an offer of admission for the Fall 2026 entering class. Evidence of academic potential, knowledge of the health care system, motivation, personal maturity, self-assurance, and good interpersonal skills will weigh strongly in the admission decision. The most competitive applicants strongly align to our program mission and values of academic excellence, diversity, leadership, life experience, and service.

Compare your scores and patient care with the ranges listed above. Target areas where you fall below the listed middle 50% of the current first year class. Demonstrate a passion for the profession and a clear understanding of the PA role. The most competitive applicants strongly align to our program mission and values of academic excellence, diversity, leadership, life experience, and service. While we do not have a minimum GPA or GRE, if your academic performance falls below the minimum range of admitted students in the first year class, you will need to work to improve these scores to be a competitive applicant.

Yes. As a mission-based program in North Carolina, we are committed to attracting students from our state to help meet the healthcare workforce needs locally.

All of our information can be found electronically via website; as such we do not mail information. If you have extenuating circumstances, please contact us directly.

Only full-time students are admitted to the PA program. Due to the rigors of the curriculum, the majority of students find it difficult or impossible to work. In efforts to promote satisfactory academic progression, the program strongly discourages students from working. Student employment may jeopardize one’s ability to remain in satisfactory academic standing and to successfully complete the program. Part-time employment over breaks and holidays is at the discretion of the student, however students may not perform any medical tasks or procedures under the auspices of their role as Duke PA students.

Yes! We have a quarterly newsletter for prospective students and anyone interested in what is happening at the Duke PA Program.

Click here to sign up!

Due to our large applicant pool, we are unable to offer transcript review. However, we are happy to answer specific questions about courses.

We do not offer in-person meetings to prospective students.

If you are accepted into the program, a time will be arranged to visit and tour our building before you matriculate.

Yes, we do have a rolling admissions process; however, we continue to accept applicants until all final decisions are e-mailed.

No, we do not make exceptions. If you are unable to complete any of our minimum requirements you should wait for a future admissions cycle to apply as we are unable to make individual exceptions to our requirements. 

We receive all transcripts from CASPA. If you have courses yet to complete, we will ask you to send those should be be invited to interview.

During the interview experience, candidates can expect to participate in two individual interviews with a faculty, PA alum, or other Duke health professional, as well as a group exercise with other applicants. Candidates have an opportunity to interact with current PA students to ask questions and learn about their experiences at Duke.

The PA program does not offer deferments.  If an incoming student is unable to start with their cohort in August they will forfeit their seat and deposit and will need to reapply.     

The Duke Physician Assistant Program does require applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.  Degrees in progress are considered as long as the completion date is prior to matriculation.

No, we do not require a specific major. A science degree may result in a higher number of natural science credit hours, but is not required.  Applications with just the minimum prerequesite science courses are less competitive, so be sure to look at our class statistics and compare where you are with your total science credits to assess your own application. 

Yes. We accept prerequisite courses and labs from any regionally accredited university or college, online or in person, including community colleges.

Please see our Prerequisites page for more information, including a school comparison worksheet provided for your convenience.

Biochemistry courses can count as either biology or chemistry (though 1 course cannot count as both).

Combined anatomy and physiology courses can count as either anatomy or physiology. Taking Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II would satisfy both requirements. Taking only one accelerated Anatomy & Physiology course will NOT meet the requirement.

You may submit an application with no more than TWO courses in progress. However, all courses must be completed with a satisfactory grade by December 31 of the application year (Eg. All prerequisite courses must be completed by December 31, 2025, for the class entering August 2026.)

No, we do not accept Advanced Placement credits.

Yes, we accept pass/fail courses that have a grade of Pass. However, to best demonstrate academic readiness, it is recommended that letter grades are submitted for the listed prerequisite courses.

As of December 2024, all prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of Pass or B minus or better.

As of December 2024, all prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of Pass or B minus or better. If you need to retake a prerequisite course due to a grade below B minus, applicants should earn a high grade to demonstrate academic readiness and improve the competitiveness of their application. Taking upper level science courses and doing very well also helps demonstrate academic readiness for the rigors of PA school.

Yes, all prerequisite courses must have been completed no earlier than January 1st, 10 years prior to application. More recent prerequisite coursework is valuable as it may demonstrate readiness for entry into a rigorous academic environment. All prerequisite courses must be completed by December 31 of the application year.

Yes, the GRE is require of all applicants, including those who have master's or doctoral degrees.

We suggest waiting to apply until your new scores are available to submit. If you submit your supplemental with old scores we will not hold the application, and it may be processed before your new scores are sent to us.

Please send GRE scores to the CASPA’s Duke code: 0422.  We suggest that you follow up with CASPA to assure that your scores are linked to your application.  We will not accept scores sent directly to Duke.

Our deadline for patient care hours is May 1st of the year your application is submitted.   Please note that having minimal patient care hours is not extremely competitive.

No, while we highly recommend and value shadowing, we do not require that you shadow a PA.

CASPA accepts up to five recommendation letters. We require three recommendation letters, and at least one must be from a healthcare professional who can speak to your patient care qualifications.

You must have your transcript verified by a credentialing service such as World Education Service. You must complete all prerequisite requirements.

You must take a MINIMUM of 30 semester hours of coursework in a regionally accredited US college.

If you are not a US citizen or Permanent Resident you will be required to show evidence of financial support in order for Duke Visa Services to secure your visa.  Please note that your visa must be secured BEFORE you are allowed to matriculate, so allow ample processing time.

Duke accepts DACA and TPS students.  Upon acceptance, you will be required to alert us of your status and fill out a webform from our visa services office to register.  You will not have any additional contingencies.