Master of Science Physician Assistant Program Application Checklist and Timeline

Clarification of MPA Program Admission Policies Due to COVID-19
The College’s Master of Science Physician Assistant Program recognizes the unique challenges faced by students and academic institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The College of Mount Saint Vincent will continue to accept prerequisite courses, including lab work, completed online or on campus from any regionally-accredited U.S. college or university.

When possible, the program’s Admission Committee recommends students elect to receive letter grades for these courses if the option is available.

Admission Requirements
Entrance to the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program is gained through a formal application review and on campus interview. Application to the program is made through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants must specifically designate the College of Mount Saint Vincent to which their application should be submitted within the CASPA system.

A completed application must be submitted through CASPA. The application cycle for the January start will begin in April annually. The deadline for all application materials to be complete* in the CASPA application portal is August 1st, annually.

To apply for the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, individuals must complete CASPA online Applications including submitting all transcripts.

Please note: do not send transcripts directly to the College of Mount Saint Vincent. All transcripts should be sent to CASPA.

Individuals whose applications are deemed competitive may be invited for a required interview. All programs utilize a rolling admissions process in which applicants are notified of their admission decision within two weeks after interviewing. Therefore, those who apply early in the admission cycle are more likely to be granted an interview than those who apply later. Each program concludes interviews for the admissions cycle upon filling all available seats. Not all qualified applicants will receive an interview.

Selection for the program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. The following criteria represent the minimum conditions established for students interested in applying to the College of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program:

  • Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
  • Applicants must have an overall GPA as calculated by the CASPA service of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework). Preference will be given to those with an overall GPA at or above 3.4.
  • Applicants should have a Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service. Preference will be given to those with a prerequisite (BCP) GPA at or above 3.0.
  • GRE is not required.
  • At least three letters of reference on the CASPA application must be submitted.
  • At least one reference on the CASPA application must be from a physician (MD/DO), Physician Assistant with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed and to whom the applicant is not related. Impressive, well-articulated, and unequivocal letters attesting to the applicant’s motivation, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and future contribution towards health care are considered competitive. Preference is granted to applicants with letter(s) from a PA.