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Pepperdine | College of Health Science
MAR
13

Graduate School Open House
March 13, 2026 | 10 AM-1PM PST
@ Drescher Graduate Campus (Malibu)

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Application Selection Process

The PA Program reviews applications that meet the minimum requirements. The Program uses a rolling admissions process. Once all interview slots are filled, applicants are no longer reviewed. The Program evaluates multiple factors in assessing the qualities an applicant may bring to the Program.

When members of the PA Selection Committee are evaluating applications for the Pepperdine PA Program, they are assessing the following:

Academic Strength

  • Cumulative GPA (as calculated by CASPA)
  • Science GPA (as calculated by CASPA)

Higher GPAs earn more points in the evaluation.

Three Letters of Professional Recommendation

Three recommendations must be submitted as part of the CASPA application. The recommendations (CASPA Evaluation) will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and considered in the final scoring of the application. Recommenders should be individuals who can objectively evaluate the applicant's academic ability, work ethic, and suitability for the profession; references from friends, family members, or personal health care providers are not acceptable. It is required that students request references from one of each of the following:

  • Professor: A person who can attest to the applicant's academic preparedness for the program based on direct experience in a teacher-student relationship.
  • Supervisor: A person who can attest to the applicant's interpersonal attributes and interpersonal communication abilities based on direct observation as supervisor of the applicant's volunteer or work experience.
  • Health Care Professional (PA, NP, MD, DO): A medical provider who can speak to the applicant's skills and abilities related to patient care and working as a future medical professional.

Letters of professional recommendation that offer strong, positive support for the applicant and clear evidence of academic preparedness, interpersonal communication abilities, and excellent skills related to patient care as a future medical professional earn more points in the evaluation.

CASPer Exam

CASPer is an online situational judgment test that assesses non-academic attributes that the MSPAS Program believes are important for successful students and PAs. The CASPer exam score will be reviewed and used in the final scoring of the application. Higher CASPer scores receive more points in the scoring process. Applications will not be reviewed until we receive the results of the CASPer exam.

MSPAS Supplemental Application (Waves Essay)

The Waves Essay is located within the Questions section of the CASPA application. Applicants will be asked to articulate their understanding and commitment to the Pepperdine MSPAS Program's Mission and Vision. Waves Essays that are well-written and clearly demonstrate an understanding of the Program's mission and vision, as well as a commitment to the Pepperdine MSPAS Program, earn more points in the evaluation process.

Personal Narrative (CASPA) Essay

Applicants will be asked to complete the Personal Narrative (CASPA) Essay as part of the CASPA application. The Personal Narrative Essay will be scored by the Selection Committee and is based on the applicant's motivation to enter the PA profession. Personal Narrative Essays that are well-written, clearly organized, stylistically strong, and free of grammatical errors earn more points in the evaluation.

Health Care Experience

A minimum of 500 hours of health care experience is required at the time of application. Both paid and volunteer experiences are acceptable. Virtual health care experience hours are not accepted. A higher number of reported health care experience hours earns more points in the evaluation.

Community Service

Service activities that demonstrate a commitment to volunteering in your community are both desired and highly recommended. A higher number of community service hours earns more points in the evaluation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to explain their community service engagement during the application process.

What We Value

We are interested in applicants who can articulate their passion for the PA profession and a commitment to the MSPAS Program Mission and Vision.

Professionalism: Professionalism will be a consideration throughout the entire application process.

We expect all individuals to demonstrate professionalism in every form of communication and interaction with the Program. Faculty and staff reserve the right to withhold a response to any communication that is threatening, argumentative, offensive, or dishonest.

Interview

An interview is required for acceptance into the Program and is by invitation only. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.

Candidates interviewing for admission into the PA Program will be evaluated on attributes that support educational success, including written and verbal communication skills, readiness to enter a PA program, persistence, problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and alignment with the Program's established mission of humility, integrity, and empathy. Interviewees' attributes in these categories are evaluated using a tiered scoring rubric. Scoring will be based on a professionalism scenario, a writing sample, an individual interview, a group interview, and the previously calculated applicant selection score.

Offer of Admission

Candidates who interview will fall into one of three categories based on a predefined interview scoring rubric.

  • Immediate Accept: These candidates will formally be offered a seat in the MSPAS Program.
  • Wait List: These candidates will be formally notified by email. Any remaining seats will be offered to candidates on the wait list.
  • No Accept: These individuals will be formally notified by email.

Please note: Letters of acceptance may be “conditional” in nature. In these cases, conditions of acceptance will be detailed in the letter.

Deferment Policy

The MSPAS Program has a policy not to honor requests for deferment of admission during the period between formal acceptance and matriculation.

Non-Refundable Deposits

Candidates who accept seats are required to pay a $1000 non-refundable deposit. The deposit is required within ten days of notification of acceptance in order to hold a seat in the class.