General Program Admission Requirements

Application for admission to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is accessible through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) starting in April and closing December 1 each year (applications must be verified by CASPA by 11:59PM ET December 1). The Program will invite select applicants to interview with the Program and admit students on a rolling basis.

The Program accepts applications through CASPA from the time the portal opens in April through December 1 (applications must be verified by CASPA by 11:59PM ET December 1). The Program uses a rolling admissions process, with application review beginning in early June. Applicants selected for on-campus interviews are chosen based on the criteria outlined in the Applicant Selection Process section of the Program website. The Program expects to begin conducting interviews in July. Once all interview slots are filled, applications are no longer reviewed; therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Completed CASPA application
• A baccalaureate degree from an nationally accredited institution of higher education in the United States (conditional acceptance may be granted pending completion of the degree)
• US citizen or US legal permanent resident
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (4.0 scale) as calculated by CASPA
• A science GPA of a 3.0 (4.0 scale) as calculated by CASPA
• Three letters of professional recommendation
  
  
  • Professor
  • Health care Professional
  • Supervisor
• Completed CASPer Exam
• Personal Narrative (CASPA) Essay
• A minimum of 500 hours of health care experience (at the time of application)
• The below prerequisite course requirements (must be met at an institutionally accredited higher education institution in the United States)
• MSPAS Supplemental Application (Waves Essay) and pay a $75 application fee to Pepperdine

To matriculate into the Program, students must meet the MSPAS Program Technical Standards for Admission, Continuation, and Graduation requirements as listed on the Program’s website.

Meeting minimal Program requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance to the Program. The PA Program website serves as the official and definitive source for all information concerning admission criteria.

• All prerequisite coursework must be completed for a grade.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to have taken prerequisite courses within ten (10) years of application.
• AP credit for prerequisite coursework will NOT be accepted.
• All prerequisites completed by the time of application must have a grade of “C” or higher.
• Applicants must indicate all courses that are either in progress or planned in the appropriate section of the CASPA application. Applications that do not list all prerequisite coursework (either as completed, in progress, or planned) will not be reviewed.
• No more than two prerequisites may be outstanding at the time of application.
• Any outstanding prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher by June 1 of the year of matriculation.
• Any outstanding prerequisite grades below a “B” can disqualify an applicant from matriculating into the Program. All applicants must complete all of the required prerequisites.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent directly to CASPA.