PA School Prerequisites in New Jersey (2027): All 7 Programs
New Jersey has seven ARC-PA accredited physician assistant (PA) programs: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, Monmouth University, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rutgers University, Saint Elizabeth University and Seton Hall University. Their prerequisites overlap, but the details differ more than most applicants expect, from which courses count to whether you need the GRE.
I'm Dr. Mario Tomei, a practicing emergency physician, university professor and former medical school admissions committee member. This guide compares every New Jersey PA program's published requirements so you can plan your coursework once and apply broadly.
Last verified: October 2026, from each program's official admissions pages. Requirements change every cycle, so confirm the current details with each program before you apply. For a national overview, see our complete guide to PA school requirements.
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Book my free auditNew Jersey PA Programs at a Glance
| Program | Minimum GPA | Patient care experience | GRE / PA-CAT | Applies through | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | 3.2 overall, 3.0 science | 400 hours of patient care and healthcare-related experience | Not required | CASPA | 29 months |
| Kean University | 3.0 cumulative, 3.0 prerequisite | 500 hours of direct patient care | GRE required | CASPA plus Kean supplemental application | 29 months |
| Monmouth University | 3.0 cumulative, 3.0 prerequisite (competitive applicants 3.3+) | 200 hours of direct patient care | GRE required | CASPA | 3 years |
| Rowan-Virtua SOM | 3.0 cumulative and prerequisite (3.2+ preferred) | 350 hours within the last 5 years | Not required | CASPA | Verify with program |
| Rutgers University | 3.2 overall and science | Patient contact required; no minimum hours | Not required | CASPA | 33 months |
| Saint Elizabeth University | 3.2 overall and prerequisite | 300 hours of direct patient care | GRE (300+) or PA-CAT (500+); waived with a master's degree | CASPA | 28 months |
| Seton Hall University | 3.2 cumulative and prerequisite | 100 hours of healthcare experience | GRE required, no waivers | Seton Hall's own application (not CASPA) | 3 years |
Minimums are a floor, not a target. Monmouth, for example, reports that its Class of 2028 averaged a 3.56 cumulative GPA and 2,400 patient care hours.
Prerequisites Most New Jersey PA Programs Share
Across all seven programs, the most common requirements are:
- Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters): required by all seven programs
- Psychology: required by all seven
- Statistics: required by all seven (Kean also accepts calculus; Seton Hall accepts precalculus or calculus as an alternative)
- Microbiology with lab: required by six (all except Rowan-Virtua)
- General Chemistry: required by six (all except Rutgers, which requires biochemistry instead)
- Biochemistry: required by Rutgers, Kean and Saint Elizabeth; Fairleigh Dickinson and Rowan-Virtua accept it as one option
- Medical Terminology: required by Monmouth, Kean, Saint Elizabeth and Rowan-Virtua
Prerequisites by Program
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (or Anatomy with lab and Physiology with lab), General Chemistry I and II with lab, Organic Chemistry I with lab, Organic Chemistry II with lab or Biochemistry with lab, Genetics with lab, Microbiology with lab, Psychology, and Statistics. Courses need a C+ or better and must be completed within the last 10 years.
Kean University
Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, General Biology, Microbiology, General Chemistry I and II (all with lab), Biochemistry, Statistics or Calculus, Psychology (general, developmental or abnormal) and Medical Terminology, which may be taken online. Anatomy and Physiology may be taken as a combined sequence.
Monmouth University
Human Anatomy and Human Physiology with lab (or Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab), Chemistry I and II with lab, Biology I or II or Cell Biology with lab, Microbiology with lab, Psychology, Medical Terminology and Statistics or Biostatistics. Courses need a B- or better and must be completed within 10 years before you apply.
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
General Biology (8 credits), Advanced Biology (3), General Chemistry (6), Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (3), Human Anatomy and Physiology (8), Statistics (3), Psychology (3) and Medical Terminology (1). Courses need a C or better, with no more than two C grades, and must be completed within 10 years before matriculation. The program also requires 40 hours of community service.
Rutgers University
General Psychology, English Composition, Statistics, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and additional upper-level biology. Rutgers may make exceptions to its 3.2 GPA minimum if your last 24 science credits are at 3.2 or higher.
Saint Elizabeth University
English Composition, General Psychology, Statistics, Medical Terminology, General Biology I with lab, Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry I and II with lab, and Biochemistry. Courses need a B- or better, and only in-person labs are accepted. The program also requires 16 hours of PA shadowing and 50 hours of community service.
Seton Hall University
Two semesters each of Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Chemistry, plus one semester of Microbiology (all with lab), Statistics and Psychology. Courses need a C or better and must be completed within 10 years before matriculation. Online courses from regionally accredited U.S. institutions are accepted.
How to Plan Your Prerequisites for New Jersey PA Schools
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
- Take the full science sequence with labs. Saint Elizabeth accepts only in-person labs, so if you might apply there, avoid online labs.
- Watch the grade floors. Minimum grades range from C (Seton Hall, Rowan-Virtua) to C+ (Fairleigh Dickinson) to B- (Monmouth, Saint Elizabeth).
- Mind the 10-year limit. Several programs only accept science courses completed within the past 10 years, so older coursework may need to be retaken.
- Decide on testing early. Seton Hall, Monmouth and Kean require the GRE; Saint Elizabeth accepts the GRE or PA-CAT; Rutgers, Fairleigh Dickinson and Rowan-Virtua do not require a standardized test.
- Plan for Seton Hall separately. It does not use CASPA, so you apply through its own application.
Frequently Asked Questions About PA School Prerequisites in New Jersey
How many PA programs are in New Jersey?
New Jersey has seven ARC-PA accredited PA programs: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, Monmouth University, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rutgers University, Saint Elizabeth University and Seton Hall University.
Which New Jersey PA programs don't require the GRE?
Rutgers, Fairleigh Dickinson and Rowan-Virtua do not require a standardized test. Saint Elizabeth accepts either the GRE or the PA-CAT and waives the test for applicants with a master's degree. Seton Hall, Monmouth and Kean require the GRE.
How many patient care hours do New Jersey PA programs require?
Published minimums range from no set number at Rutgers (patient contact is still required) to 500 hours of direct patient care at Kean. Competitive applicants usually have far more than the minimum.
Does Seton Hall's PA program use CASPA?
No. Seton Hall does not participate in CASPA. Applicants apply through Seton Hall's own online application.
What GPA do I need for PA school in New Jersey?
Published minimums are 3.0 at Kean, Monmouth and Rowan-Virtua and 3.2 at Rutgers, Saint Elizabeth and Seton Hall. Fairleigh Dickinson requires a 3.2 overall and 3.0 science GPA. Admitted students usually exceed these minimums.
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