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Academic Requirements

Course Prerequisites   

• Minimum 60 Semester Hours (SH) of college course work.
• 30 SH can be any classes or credit for military training (ex. JST transcripts)
• Enlisted applicants must submit their official JST to the University of Nebraska
• The following 30 Semester Hours (SH) must be in residence with an accredited institution classroom or online course.
• A letter grade of C or better must be obtained. (C- or lower will not count)
  • 6 hours of English (3 SH writing/composition) - CLEP is authorized.
  • 6 hours of Humanities  - Any government, history, foreign language, art, social science and religion
  • 3 hours of Psychology - Any type, introductory courses WILL count
  • 6 hours of Chemistry (courses completed Fall 2018 and after)  
    • Must be General Chemistry or higher 
    • Introduction to Chemistry will NOT count.
    • Must be within 8 years of starting school, recommend within 5 years and lab is not required but highly recommended. 
  • 3 hours of Human Anatomy (courses completed Fall 2018 and after) 
    • This can be a combined Anatomy & Physiology I class.  
    • Must be within 8 years of starting school, recommend within 5 years and lab is not required but highly recommended.
  • 3 hours of Human Physiology (courses completed Fall 2018 and after)
    • This can be a combined Anatomy & Physiology II class.  
    • Must be within 8 years of starting school, recommend within 5 years and lab is not required but highly recommended.
  • 3 hours of College Algebra or higher math – Statistics, Intro or Intermediate algebra will NOT count - CLEP authorized.
  • Medical Terminology course within 5 years (Fall 2021 and after) – can take on ATIS (Search Basic Medical Technology)
  • There is no waiver available for these required courses.

Tuition Assistance Memos

• The University of Nebraska completes the Tuition Assistance Memos
• Complete the University of Nebraska's online IPAP Transcript Evaluation/TA Memo Request Form.  The following information is needed on the form:
  • Full Name
  • Contact Information
  • Branch of the US Military
  • Separate transcript for each institution attended (official transcripts aren't needed for this request)
  • JST (Joint Services Transcript)
  • DO NOT send transcripts and JST as emails.  They need to be uploaded in the form.
• Use the link to complete the IPAP Transcript Evaluation/TA Memo Request Form: 
  • https://unmcredcap.unmc.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=C7HYXDKTR7 
• TA memos are completed in the order they are received.  It may take 2 weeks before you receive your completed memo.
• For more information see your local education center

MOS Related Course Credit

• 68K (Medical Laboratory Specialist) and 68Q (Pharmacy Specialist) will receive 6 hours of General Chemistry credit.
• 68X (Behavioral Health Specialist) will receive 3 hours of Psychology credit
• 18D (Special Forces Medic), 68WM6/68C (Licensed Practical Nurse), 38BW4 (Special Operations Civil Affairs Medical Sergeant), and 68W with the W1 skill identifier after completion of the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course will receive 3 hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Human Anatomy and Physiology II credit, as applicable.
•  66S (Critical Care Nurse) and 66T (Emergency Medicine Nurse) will receive 6 hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology credit. 
• These applicants must have completed their training within 8 years of IPAP (Fall 2018 and after) to be accepted.

GPA Requirements

• A Minimum Science GPA of 3.0 is required in all sciences
  • The Science Courses included in the Science GPA will be those completed within 8 years of the start of IPAP (Fall 2018 and after).
  • See the link to the right under Additional Resources for a list of eligible Science Courses.
• A Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Applicants must meet GPA requirements by application deadline 1 March 2025. Coursework completed after 1 March 2025 will NOT count toward the GPA.
• There IS a waiver available for GPA requirements. 
• There is NO grade replacement for FY25 Applicants. 
• The University of Nebraska will do the GPA calculations for us after the application deadline.
• If you want to calculate your GPA early you are welcome to find a GPA calculator online, or you can use the one available in the IPAP online application Help Center: 
  • ​University of Nebraska Medical Center IPAP Applicant Help Center - Liaison (liaisonedu.com)

SAT Requirement

• SAT required within 5 years of application (1 March 2020 or after)
• Minimum score of 450 in reading and math
• Minimum cumulative score of 1000 is required in the reading and math sections.
• The last SAT test date available for the FY25 application cycle is 8 March. Allow 8 weeks for the College Board to grade your exam.
• Enter code “3994” on SAT test form.
• USAREC MUST receive your official scores for your packet to board.
• REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS DEGREE
  • GRE, ACT, MCAT, etc WILL NOT COUNT

PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admissions Test)

• All Applicants must submit scores by selecting US Army Reserves, US Army Active Duty or US Army National Guard when completing registration
• No minimum score requirement
• ​​​​Take the PA-CAT by application deadline of 1 March 2025
• The PA-CAT website offers a virtual option for testing when you register
• Exam Master has been added to Army COOL so Credentialing Assistance (CA) Funds can be used to pay for the PA-CAT. 
  • You will need to be eligible for CA funds use and submit a request for funds. 
  • Funds will not reimburse you for a test you have already registered and/or paid for.     
  • PA-CAT Funds Request Instructions
  • Exam Master has also started a PA-CAT Financial Assistance Program.  Information is available at:  https://exammaster.aweb.page/feeassistance

Shadowing Requirement

• A minimum of 80 hours of Shadowing required with a Physician Assistant
• Annotated on USAREC Form 601-37.11
• More is recommended.  Ensure recommenders state the actual number of hours completed rather than stating "over 80 hours".

*****Notes for FY 25 Board*****

Active Army and Army Reservists Only 

• Recommend you read and use the Application Guide at the top of the page prior to submitting a packet
• Use  Application Checklist at the top of the webpage
• Submission for FY25 is digital - follow instructions on Application Checklist
• PA-CAT exam scores are required to board
• No P2 profile waiver available for P2 profiles in the U, L, S categories of PULHES
• All documents should be dated after 7 June 2024
• STP in packet (no race/ethnicity visible)
• Army Fitness Test Scorecard required for all components
• GT Score must be 110 or higher to apply - No waivers available!
• ALL official transcripts from ALL Universities/Colleges attended must be submitted to UNMC
• Recommend Letter of Intent and Letters of Recommendation are no longer than one page
• Physical Exam (DD 2807-1 and DD 2808) - must include a Audiogram printout and lab printout for the following labs:
  • Urine drug Screen (UDS), alcohol blood test (ETOH), Urinalysis, HIV, HCG (females)
  • Last Page of DD 2808 must be signed by an MD or DO
• Academic Delay:  Applications Eligible with up to 9 Semester Hours (3 classes) of pre-requisites still pending at time of application.
  • Must complete all required courses by 1 October 2025
  • This option is not available to National Guard Applicants
• Tattoo Wearers:  A self-identification memo is required.  See example under Example Documents on the right.

Army National Guard POC

All interested National Guard applicants should contact an AMEDD recruiter for their respective State.

If you need the contact information for your State AMEDD recruiter contact:

Email:  ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mbx.arng-hrr-o-specialty-branch-accessions@army.mil