PA Graduate Admissions

Two-year Master of Physician Assistant Science Program

Admissions path for students with a completed baccalaureate degree who wish to pursue the Master of Physician Assistant Science degree.

Detailed Information

• Selection for a seat into the graduate Physician Assistant Program is very competitive and limited based on the number of five-year students that meet progression standards. To be considered for admission in the next academic year, an applicant must complete the Centralized Application Process no later than August 1, 2021 (including transcripts and letters of recommendation - three). (CASPA,P.O. Box 9108, Watertown, MA 02471 - (617) 612-2080 or caspa.liaisoncas.com)
• Admission is based on academic achievement, demonstration of quality performance in science and/or health care related courses, demonstration of motivation and professional potential and strong interpersonal skills. In order to be even considered for an interview, a graduate student applicant must have an overall cumulative GPA above a 3.2 (including international and professional coursework) and a Prerequisite GPA above a 3.2, and a record that demonstrates the characteristics listed above.  One hundred hours of health care experience is required; 40 of which must be shadowing a physician assistant in clinical practice. The 40 hours shadowing requirement must be non-paid and you must not have received academic credit for those hours. GRE's are not required. An applicant must also be able to meet the Saint Francis University Department of Physician Assistant Sciences student technical standards.
  
• All applications for admission are reviewed by the Department faculty. Preference is given to applicants who typically have completed health care experience with patient contact in the last two years that entails more than 12 months of a full-time experience, as well as applicants that have completed the majority of their coursework, or at a minimum, their prerequisite coursework in the last five years.  Applicants will be required to attend a personal interview that affords the faculty an opportunity to further review the applicant's credentials. Candidates are expected to demonstrate maturity, personal initiative, an understanding of the PA role and excellent communication skills. This meeting also enables the applicants to become personally acquainted with the Department's facilities, faculty/staff and/or students.
• Following the interview, the Department's admission committee offers admission to selected candidates based on their academic record and the applicant's ability to demonstrate the qualities listed above. All initial admissions decisions will generally be made by mid-January.
• In order to qualify for admission as a graduate student to the MPAS Program, students must have completed a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and prerequisite courses required by the University. It is beneficial to have completed at least five of the seven prerequisite courses prior to application. Any prerequisite course not completed prior to the interview, must be completed prior to beginning the didactic year with a grade of "B" or better. The prerequisite courses include:
  • Chemistry - 2 courses (must have labs - virtual labs not accepted)
  • Anatomy & Physiology - 2 courses (must have lab - virtual labs not accepted)
  • Microbiology - 1 course (must have labs - virtual labs not accepted)
  • Medical Terminology – 1 course
    
  • Psychology - 1 course
  • Statistics or Upper Level Math - 1 course (or upper level math)
  • PLEASE NOTE:  Due to COVID, we will temporarily accept virtual labs.
• Please note that the Department does not require any additional information (i.e. a supplemental application) when applying through CASPA.
• If you already possess a baccalaureate degree or will obtain one prior to matriculation and are interested in applying to the MPAS Program, the application for the Saint Francis University Summer 2021 admissions is at caspa.liaisoncas.com.
• Once an application is received and verified by CASPA, the Department begins to evaluate and invite those qualified for an interview. After the interview, some applicants will be notified of acceptance within a couple of weeks. It is very beneficial to apply to CASPA well before the deadline and/or schedule for one of the earlier interview dates. We cannot guarantee that we will have any acceptance positions available for later interview dates.
• Those who apply later in the admission cycle may have limited options, if any, in scheduling an interview (we may not even receive your application material in time for review prior to the last interview date), may not be aware of courses that are lacking until it is too late or there may not be any openings remaining in the class.
• Please note:
  • Bachelor's degrees and all prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college/university, or evaluated as equivalent by an international credential evaluating agency.
  • Applicants who have completed a degree or coursework at a foreign institution must have a foreign credential evaluation completed on their transcript. This evaluation must be submitted with the application.
  • International students whose native language is not English MUST submit proof of English language proficiency. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTs or iTEP exam score must be submitted.
• Please be aware that students are required to complete criminal background checks, pediatric child abuse clearances and urine drug screens. 
• The Physician Assistant Department may grant advanced placement into the program in specialized cases for students who have matriculated into an accredited PA program in the United States, but who are unable to continue in the program due to forfeiture of accreditation by the sponsoring institution. In such cases, students must meet all graduate admissions requirements, other program-specific requirements, and be in good academic standing.  Other than in the very rare situation described above, the program does not grant any type of advanced placement for didactic or clinical courses.
  
• Acceptance into the Saint Francis University Physician Assistant Program or its completion does not guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.