COVID-19 related to Admissions

*This portion of the FAQ is a fluid situation and will continue to be updated frequently. Be sure to check back for any additional updates related to COVID-19

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 2/16/2022

My institution continues to offer coursework on a Pass/No Pass grading scale. Will prerequisites completed as a Passing grade be accepted?

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the program will accept prerequisite courses completed on a pass/no pass grading scale for Spring 2020 through Spring 2022. All completed prerequisites must have a “Passing” grade. Since this is a fluid situation, there may be an adjustment as more information is received. Please note the USCPA Program will allow for a maximum of 32 units to be applied to prerequisite coursework.

Courses taken for a Pass/No Pass: Course taken for pass/no pass will not hinder and/or increase GPA. If you are trying to increase your overall and/or science GPA, you may want to elect to complete coursework for a letter grade.

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 3/24/2021

My institution continues to offer coursework on a Pass/No Pass grading scale. Will prerequisites completed as a Passing grade be accepted?

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the program will accept prerequisite courses completed on a pass/no pass grading scale for Spring 2020 through Summer 2021. All completed prerequisites must have a “Passing” grade. Since this is a fluid situation, there may be an adjustment as more information is received. Please note the USC PA Program will allow for a maximum of 32 units to be applied to prerequisite coursework.

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 3/22/2021

Has the GRE been waived for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle?
Temporary Waiver GRE Requirement

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 11/9/2020

My institution is offering coursework on a Pass/No Pass grading scale. Will prerequisites completed as a Passing grade be accepted?

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the program will accept prerequisite courses completed on a pass/no pass grading scale for the following terms: spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020, and spring 2021. All completed prerequisites must have a “Passing” grade. Since this is a fluid situation, there may be an adjustment as more information is received. Please note the USC PA Program will allow for a maximum of 24 units to be applied to prerequisite coursework.

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 9/25/2020

Has the GRE been waived for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle?
Temporary Waiver GRE Requirement

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 6/4/2020

Will the program accept virtual PA shadowing experience?

Yes, the program will accept virtual PA shadowing experience for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. Virtual PA shadowing may be conducted through Telehealth or other online platforms.

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 5/1/2020

Will the program accept at-home GRE and/or TOEFL testing?

Yes, the program will accept at-home testing completed by ETS. Unfortunately, ETS only provides at-home testing to be completed with a PC computer or a Mac computer with Windows installed. As of now, the program still requires the GRE to be completed by the November 1st deadline date, but may be adjusted based on testing availability related to COVID testing site closures.

I am currently on the waitlist and need to complete my Spanish placement exam if accepted into the program. What should I do if testing sites remain closed?

You may either enroll in a Summer Spanish course to complete your 1 year Spanish prerequisite or you have the option to wait for Spanish placement sites to open, but you will need to complete the exam by no later than August 1, 2020.

COVID-19 related to Admissions – updated 4/6/2020

Have there been any changes to the application deadline?

At this time, there has been no change to the 2020-2021 application deadline date. The CASPA application will be available on April 30th and the Supplemental application will be available on May 1st, with the deadline date of November 1st, 2020.

My institution is only offering coursework on a Pass/No Pass grading scale. Will prerequisites completed as a Passing grade be accepted?

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the program will accept prerequisite courses completed on a pass/no pass grading scale for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 term. All completed prerequisites must have a “Passing” grade. Since this is a fluid situation, there may be an adjustment as more information is received.

Click here to the the letter from President Folt and the Provost regarding Pass/No Pass grading.

Courses taken for a Pass/No Pass: Please note that courses taken for pass/no pass will not hinder and/or increase GPA. If you are trying to increase your overall and/or science GPA, you may want to elect to complete coursework for a letter grade.

Will you accept online prerequisites?

Yes. The program has accepted all prerequisite coursework (including labs) to be completed online from a regionally accredited institution, prior to COVID-19. This will not change.

Will the program accept at-home GRE and/or TOEFL testing?

Yes, the program will accept at-home testing completed by ETS. Unfortunately, ETS only provides at-home testing to be completed with a PC computer. As of now, the program still requires the GRE to be completed by the November 1st deadline date, but may be adjusted based on testing availability related to COVID testing site closures.

I was planning on taking a Spanish placement exam for the Spanish prerequisite. What should I do if testing sites are closed?

You have the option to complete coursework to fulfill the one year Spanish prerequisite by Spring 2021. You may opt to wait until testing sites are open and will have until Spring 2021 to take the Spanish placement exam to show proof that you would be enrolled in an advanced level Spanish course.

Will there be any delay in processing of applications or interview dates?

Currently, there are no changes to the application process. Interviews are expected to start September 2020 through March 2021 (tentative).