Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Admission Requirements

Download as PDF

The Physician Assistant Studies Program is 24 months in length and begins in August. A maximum class size of 40 students will include students applying directly to our program through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) at the graduate level as well as students progressing from the CSM PAS-Accelerated Entry Pathway (PAS- AEP).

While CSM is a women’s college at the undergraduate level, men are welcome to apply for graduate program admissions.

Current College of Saint Mary PAS Accelerated Entry Pathway Students:

Current undergraduate CSM students accepted as PAS-AEP students are assigned to a specific future PAS cohort upon admission as a PAS-AEP student and will progress to their assigned PAS cohort as long as all progression requirements are met and the applicant meets the minimum technical standards for the PAS program. College of Saint Mary does not offer advanced placement for the PAS program. For Acceptance and Progression Requirements and Evaluation, go to the PAS Accelerated Entry Pathway information in the Program of Study section.

Criteria To Be Considered

  • A complete CASPA application
  • A baccalaureate degree from a United States regionally accredited college or university
  • A baccalaureate degree from outside the United States will be accepted if the student can document equivalency of a U.S. bachelor's degree through a foreign transcript evaluation service and completion of an additional 24 credit hours in biology or chemistry departments at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university prior to application.
  • Minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses
  • Minimum cumulative overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Minimum of 300 hours of healthcare clinical experience
  • No GRE or standardized test is required
  • No CASPer or Altus Suite Assessment is required
  • Three professional references (academic and supervisory individuals are preferred).
  • Ability to complete all MSPAS matriculation requirements within 4-6 months of entry into program. 
    • Includes requirements for immunizations, tuberculosis screening, physical examination, criminal background check, urine drug screening, and health insurance requirements.
  • Students entering the program must have the ability to comply with the CSM PAS Program Technical Standards

Admissions Preferences

  • CSM alumni, military, first generation, and HRSA (Health Resources & Services Administration) Indicators will receive special consideration on the application evaluation.

Admissions Process and Decisions:

Admission to the PAS graduate program is competitive with a limited number of seats in each cohort.  Meeting the minimum admission requirements above does not ensure acceptance into the PAS program. The PAS program does not award or grant advanced placement. Admission decisions are made by the PAS Admissions Committee and will be made based on the following:

  • Past academic performance (GPA and completed courses, particularly science and math courses)
  • Documented academic aptitude (collegiate GPA)
  • Extra- and co-curricular activities
  • Medical and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.)
  • Recommendations from qualified individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s character and performance
  • Communication, professionalism, and interpersonal skills via essay, interview, review of letters of reference.

CASPA Application Process

  1. Submit the CASPA application by November 1st, 11:59 EST
  2. Send official transcripts from all college credit institutions to CASPA
  3. Send Non-U.S. transcripts evaluated through the World Education Services, Inc. (preferred agency) to CASPA
  4. Request 3 letters of recommendation (evaluations) through CASPA – if more than 3 are submitted, we will ask you to identify 3 for our review (no family or friends)
  5. References and transcripts submitted by December 1st
  6. Review of application by the PAS Admissions Committee
  7. If selected, you will participate in an on-campus interview with the PAS Admissions Committee.
  8. Admission decision by the PAS Admissions Committee following a complete application and interview

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses must be completed with a 3.0 “C” or higher grade. In progress or planned courses must be reflected on the CASPA application and must be successfully completed by July 1st of planned year of entry. There is no minimum on the amount of in progress or planned courses.

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab (minimum 8 semester credits). Minimum of one semester of each or two semesters of a combined sequenced course
  • Microbiology with lab (minimum 3 credits)
  • Upper-level Biology course (lab preferred) (minimum 3 credits)
  • General Chemistry with lab (minimum 8 semester credits). Two semesters in a sequenced course
  • Organic Chemistry with lab (minimum 4 semester credits). At least one semester as required for Biochemistry (two semesters preferred)
  • Biochemistry – Lab recommended but not required. Must be a course for which Organic Chemistry is a prerequisite for it (minimum 3 credits)
  • Abnormal Psychology (minimum 3 credits)
  • Developmental/Lifespan Psychology (minimum 3 credits)
  • Statistics (minimum 3 credits)
  • Medical Terminology. Either a college/university course or certificate program will be acceptable. (minimum 1 credit)

Repeated Course Work

A course repeated at the same institution will have the most recent grade used in the GPA calculations. If the course is repeated more than once, only one grade (the lowest received) will be replaced by the most recent grade received.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the following requirements to be eligible for admission to the CSM PAS program. Minimum scores are based on language skills needed to successfully complete the PA curriculum, including clinical education requirements, as well as sit for the certification exam.

Paper-based TOEFL exam, minimum score of 600
Internet-based TOEFL exam, minimum score of 100, minimum of 20 in each sub test 
Internet-based IELTS exam, minimum of 7.5, minimum of 7.5 for each sub-test

Results should be sent directly from ETS to College of Saint Mary institutional code 6106.

**THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO MEET THE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS.

MSPAS Technical Standards:

Students entering the program must have the ability to comply with the CSM PAS Program Technical Standards.

 

Once a student is admitted to the PAS Program, she/he must complete requirements designated by the program within 4-6 months of entry:

Criminal Background Check

Students are required to complete a background check prior to matriculating into the PAS program. CSM is responsible for the associated costs. Additional background checks may be required during the PAS program depending on clinical site requirements. If criminal or illegal behaviors are discovered that were not previously disclosed, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program. If a student cannot complete clinical rotations due to negative items contained in the background check, the student will not be able to graduate from the program.

If a student with a misdemeanor or a felony is permitted to continue, this does not guarantee that the student will be eligible for licensure after graduation. The state licensing boards make independent decisions on eligibility requirements as stated in the law. Nor should the decision be construed as a guarantee the student will be allowed by NCCPA to take the PANCE exam. The NCCPA will make the determination with regard to the student’s ability to sit for the national board exam.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the PA program director of any change to the background if information was added after the date of the initial background submission.

Immunization Requirements

Physician Assistants are at risk for exposure to and transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases due to their contact with patients or infective material from patients. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends that all health care workers (including students in medical disciplines) be vaccinated against (or have documented immunity to) COVID-19, hepatitis B, seasonal influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, and varicella. Additionally, the CDC recommends that health care workers receive Tdap/Td, consider the meningococcal vaccine, and undergo annual tuberculosis screening. More information can be found on the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html#recs).

Upon admission to the PAS program, the student must provide documented evidence as defined below that he/she is compliant with the immunization requirements of the CSM PAS program. The student is responsible for the associated costs. The student must also sign a record release form so that immunization and screening records may be forwarded to clinical sites for supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE’s). Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the student’s admission status in the PAS program being revoked. The inability to comply may be appealed to the PAS program director to determine the course of action.

Some clinical sites may require that a student receive additional vaccinations and/or have antibody titers assessed for specific conditions to meet variable state and/or institutional regulations. Moreover, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices may revise their guidelines without prior notice. In these instances, the student will be expected to become compliant with these new guidelines and be responsible for the cost. The student immunization and screening record is not considered part of the health record and may be viewed by appropriate program faculty and staff when necessary.

Hepatitis B

  • Documented 2-dose or 3-dose series with dates and positive hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs).
  • If negative anti-HBs, the student must repeat the 2-dose or 3-dose series and get anti- HBs serologic tested 1–2 months after completion of the series.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

  • Documented measles, mumps, and rubella 2-dose vaccination series with dates or documented serologic evidence of immunity (titers) to measles, mumps, and rubella.
  • Documented serologic evidence of immunity (titers) to measles, mumps, and rubella is highly recommended even if the student had prior vaccination series.
  • If serologic immunity is not adequate, students must follow the CDC guidelines to become compliant.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

  • Documented varicella 2-dose vaccination series with dates or documented serologic evidence of immunity (titers) to varicella.
  • Documented serologic evidence of immunity (titers) to varicella is highly recommended even if prior vaccination series.
  • If serologic immunity is not adequate, students must follow the CDC guidelines to become compliant.

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis

  • Documented 3-dose primary vaccination series with dates
  • Students must have a one-time dose of Tdap as soon as possible if they have not received Tdap previously (regardless of when previous dose of Td was received).
  • Td boosters are required every 10 years thereafter.

COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Documented receipt of COVID-19 vaccine with date(s).

Meningococcal Vaccine

  • Students must sign that they have received information related to meningococcal vaccination and have decided to decline at this time or receive a single dose of the meningococcal vaccine.

Seasonal influenza

  • Students must receive 1 dose of influenza vaccine annually and submit evidence of vaccination before December 1st each year in the program (as long as there is an adequate supply of the vaccine in the community). If the clinical rotation site requires the influenza vaccine earlier than December 1st, the student will be required to comply with the site deadline.
  • Many clinical sites require influenza vaccination; therefore, students may not waive influenza vaccination without a documented circumstance approved by the PAS program director.
  • Failure to comply will prevent students from beginning the next semester, instant removal from a supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE’s), and will affect their progression and graduation.

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening

  • An intradermal skin test for tuberculosis (PPD) or TB Gold is required prior to matriculation and annually thereafter, except in cases of a documented positive reading. Additional screening may be required based on clinical site policies.
  • If a student has a history of a positive PPD reading, the student must submit the PAS program’s TB screening form signed by a listed provider, which requires a chest  radiograph report within the past 12 months negative for active TB and documentation of completed therapy recommended by the CDC for a positive PPD screening. Students who are PPD positive will need an annual chest x-ray and evaluation by a health care provider that they are free of tuberculosis.
  • Failure to comply with this requirement will prevent students from beginning the next semester, be removed instantly from a supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE’s), and may affect progression and graduation.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

All students must successfully pass a 10-panel urine drug screen on an annual basis through a clinic designated by the PA program. Additional drug testing may be required dependent upon individual clinical placement and ‘for cause’ testing during the 24-month course of study. CSM is responsible for the associated costs.

There is a zero tolerance policy for drug or alcohol use anytime the student is actively engaged in activities related to didactic or clinical rotations while in the CSM PA program. A violation of the Drug and Alcohol Policy results in dismissal from the program.

Any student with a substance abuse problem who voluntarily reports the condition to the faculty, will be assisted in finding proper treatment in a confidential manner.

Health Insurance Requirements

Health insurance is mandatory for all students during the entire length of the program. If any changes to the student’s health insurance coverage are made while enrolled in the PA Program, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the program staff immediately. Students are responsible to find new coverage as soon as possible. Should a student lose coverage, participation in the program will be suspended until such time that insurance coverage is confirmed.

Expenses incurred by the student for any illness or injury (including those that may occur while on rotations) are the student’s responsibility. CSM does not assume responsibility for healthcare related costs arising from the illness or injury of a student.

History and Physical Examination Requirements

Students must provide documentation of a physical exam within 1 year before matriculating into the program as defined below.

  • Matriculated PAS students must have a history and physical examination completed by a licensed M.D., D.O., PA-C, or NP, who is not related, 4-6 months of prior to matriculating into the PAS program. This document must state there are no restrictions of the student participating in supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE's).
  • The student must sign a record release form, so that the final page stating no restrictions may be forwarded to the PAS program and future clinical sites for supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE’s).

Restrictions by the medical provider may result in the student’s admission status in the PAS program being revoked. The student will have the option to set up a meeting with the PAS program to discuss the restrictions and potential consequences related to completion of program requirements. The PAS program will decide the admission status of the student.

No PA faculty member, including the program director or medical director, are permitted to participate as healthcare providers for PA students. This includes giving medical advice, as well as physically providing healthcare unless there is an emergent situation. Program faculty are able to help refer students for healthcare, including mental healthcare, upon request.

Student Work and Participation Policy

The program strongly discourages any type of outside work during the first 12 months of study in the program. Students are prohibited from working during clinical rotations. Program responsibilities are not negotiable, and will not be altered due to student work obligations. The following apply to all students for the duration of the PA program:

  • Students may not be hired as employees for any private or public practice, clinic, or other institution to perform any medical services during any time they are part of the Physician Assistant Program. College of Saint Mary holds no liability for services provided by the student in such capacity.
  • Students may not be given any payments, stipends, or other remuneration for medical services performed as part of the physician assistant educational program.
  • Students may not work or volunteer in any capacity that allows access to student files.
  • Students may volunteer their medical services to charitable, humanitarian, or community service organizations only when such services are assigned or approved within the PA program. All volunteer requests must be cleared by the PA program director before the student can partake in the volunteer activity.
  • Students may not substitute for regular clinical or administrative staff during the clinical phase.
  • Students may not act as instructional faculty for any component of the PAS curriculum.

Students are not allowed to participate in CSM athletic teams or take additional courses outside of the PA curriculum while enrolled in the PA program unless approved by the PA program director.

Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) Solicitation Policy

Currently enrolled, as well as prospective students, are not allowed to arrange their own clinical experiences nor solicit clinical sites or preceptors.  Reasonable effort will be made to accommodate student preference requests, but in ALL cases, the final determination for rotation times, sites, and activities will be at the discretion of the Clinical Coordinator.

Accreditation

At its June 2025 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the College of St. Mary Physician Assistant Program sponsored by College of St. Mary on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in July 2027.

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-college-of-st-mary/.

Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) Admission Requirements
International Students