Charleston Southern University PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Middle-of-the-pack GPA — The average accepted overall GPA (3.7) is close to the national middle, so a solid-but-not-spectacular academic record is genuinely competitive here.

• The minimum is not the target — The stated minimum GPA is 3, but the average accepted is 3.7 — a gap of 0.70. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Experience-heavy — A 1,000-hour patient care minimum is at or above the national 75th percentile. Plan on a year or more of full-time work before you apply.

• Faster to practice — At 24 months, this program is shorter than most. That means less tuition and earlier income, but a denser schedule with little slack.

• No extra standardized testing — No GRE, PA-CAT, or CASPer required — one less hurdle if standardized tests are not your strength.

• Strong PANCE outcomes — A first-time PANCE pass rate of 97% is above the national average.

• Apply early — Admissions are rolling, so seats come off the board as the cycle goes. An application submitted in the first few weeks is worth more than the same application submitted in month four.

• Stricter prerequisite grades — A minimum of B in prerequisites is tougher than the typical C. Recheck your transcript before you invest in the application.

Charleston Southern University is located in South Carolina. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: South Carolina

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 24 months

• Class size: 35 students

• Start month: January

• Application deadline: September

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $94,665

• Average overall GPA: 3.7

• Average science GPA: 3.6

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 97%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: Optional

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: No

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: No

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 2 — Healthcare Professional

• Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum

• Interview format: We will be transitioning back to in person interviews for future application cycles, but the program will still offer one virtual interview day for applicants who prefer this option. The virtual interview will be offered to all applicants who are offered an interview on a first come first serve basis. Once the virtual interview is full, all other applicants will be offered an in-person interview only. While considering interview options, it is important to note that admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: B

• Prerequisite expiration: No expiration, except for Human Anatomy and Physiology, which must be completed within the past seven (7) years

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: Yes

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: No

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• Human Anatomy Lecture with Lab AND Human Physiology with Lab — 8 semester credit hours

• Microbiology Lecture with Lab — 3 semester credit hours

• Biology or Genetics — 3 semester credit hours

• General Chemistry — 8 semester credit hours

• Organic Chemistry with Lab — 4 semester credit hours

• Statistics — 3 semester credit hours

Cost

• In-state tuition: $94,665

• Seat deposit: $1,000

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• Program website: Charleston Southern University

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 843-863-7427

• Address: 9200 University Blvd, Charleston, SC 29406

Program information last verified June 12, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.