Middle-of-the-pack GPA: The average accepted overall GPA (3.51) 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 3.51, a gap of 0.51. 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.
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 100% is above the national average.
ONE-ON-ONE HELP
Book a Pre-PA Counseling session and spend thirty minutes one-on-one with a practicing PA who knows what admissions committees look for. We will go through your GPA, patient care hours, and school list together, and you will get a written plan for your next steps in your inbox within 24 hours.
Sacred Heart University is located in Connecticut. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.
At a glance
Location: Connecticut
Institution type: Private
Program length: 27 months
Class size: 42 students
Start month: August
Application deadline: September
In-state tuition: $105,011
Average overall GPA: 3.51
Minimum overall GPA: 3
Minimum science GPA: 3
Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours
Letters of recommendation: 3
First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%
Accreditation status: Continued
Admission requirements
GRE: No
PA-CAT: No
CASPer: No
TOEFL (international applicants): Yes
Supplemental application: Yes
Shadowing: Recommended
Letters of recommendation: 3: At least one letter from a work supervisor and one from a professor. One letter must be a professional reference from a clinical job supervisor (physician, PA, or nurse practitioner). One letter must be an academic reference from a professor or TA or academic adviser.
Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum
Interview format: Virtual
Prerequisites
Minimum prerequisite grade: C
Prerequisite expiration: No expiration
In-progress prerequisites accepted: No
AP or CLEP credit accepted: Yes
Pass/Fail coursework accepted: No
Online coursework accepted: Yes
Required coursework
Biological Science courses, which must include:
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
- Any upper-level human biological science course with or without lab (3-4 credits)
One course of each of the following:
- Organic Chemistry I with lab (4 credits) and Organic Chemistry II with lab (4 credits); or Biochemistry with lab (4 credits)
- Statistics (Biostatistics preferred)
- General Psychology or Introduction to Psychology
Recommended: Human Genetics Abnormal Psychology Biostatistics Biochemistry Immunology Medical Terminology
Cost
In-state tuition: $105,011
Seat deposit: $1,000
Want to compare your stats to this program? Pre-PA Bestie is a free, always-updated PA program database where you can save schools and see how your numbers line up. Check out Pre-PA Bestie.
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That’s what Pre-PA Academy is for.
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We have talked with people connected to this program on The Pre-PA Club podcast. Press play to hear it directly from them.
The episode features an in-depth conversation with Joshua Rozanski, a current PA student who shares his unique pathway to entering the field of physician assistance. Initially rejected from multiple programs, Joshua took a step back and enrolled in an MPH program, which not only aligned with his interests but also served to enhance his candidacy for future applications. He discusses the importance of gaining relevant experience in healthcare, including his roles as a scribe and physical therapy aide, which were instrumental in shaping his understanding of patient care. Throughout the dialogue, Joshua reflects on the emotional challenges of receiving rejection letters and the critical moments that ultimately led to his acceptance into Sacred Heart University’s PA program. His story serves as a beacon of hope for pre-PA students facing similar challenges, illustrating that persistence, coupled with the right experiences, can pave the way to success. The episode also delves into the rigorous nature of PA school, the adjustment to online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the camaraderie built within his class despite the challenges of remote education.
What we cover
Chapters
Episode: Waitlist to PA Student in 2 Weeks! - Interview with Sacred Heart University PA Student - Joshua · Follow The Pre-PA Club on Apple Podcasts or Spotify · Browse all episodes
Program website: Sacred Heart University
Admissions page: Admissions information
Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-371-7999
Address: 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825
Program information last verified June 24, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.
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