Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
Overview
The Master Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) prepares graduates with intelligence, sound judgment, intellectual honesty, appropriate interpersonal skills, and critical thinking skills. The graduate will be capable of medical patient assessment and developing a plan of action for addressing health concerns. The professional curriculum for PA education includes basic medical, behavioral, and social science, Introduction to clinical medicine, and supervised clinical practice, and health policy and professional practice issues.
Prerequisites
Although the pre-professional course of study may be accomplished at any accredited junior college, senior college or university, it is preferred that all science courses be taken at a senior college and/or university. All prerequisite coursework must be completed by the application deadline for that year’s admissions cycle. Coursework must include the following:
- General Biology (I and II)
- Genetics
- Anatomy and Physiology (I and II)
- Microbiology
- General Chemistry (I and II)
- Organic Chemistry OR Biochemistry
- General Psychology OR Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
Note: Pass or credit grades will not be accepted for any science prerequisite course. Credit by examination is accepted for Statistics and Psychology only. All prerequisite science courses must be taken for science majors. Science courses taken for non-science majors will not be accepted. Anatomy and Physiology with a HUMAN focus is preferred.
Note to applicants with foreign coursework: Every applicant must meet ALL prerequisite requirements. No prerequisite course waivers or substitutions will be granted. All matriculants must complete the entire professional curriculum.
Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit
Advanced placement and waiver of courses in the professional curriculum are not available to applicants or enrolled students in the department. All students and applicants must complete the entire professional curriculum in residence at the University of Texas Rio Grande valley. The Physician Assistant Studies Department does not admit students from other physician assistant studies programs. All currently or formerly enrolled physician assistant students at other physician assistant programs must participate in a competitive admissions process along with all other applicants.
NOTE: The above prerequisites represent the minimum prerequisites courses and hours. Classes begin annually every fall semester.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in physician assistant studies, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on last 30 hours of course work.
- Completion of prerequisite coursework by the application deadline with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Three letters of recommendation through CASPA.
- Personal statement through CASPA.
- CASPER MMI exam
- GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Phase I: The Application
Online Applications: CASPA and UTRGV (must submit both)
- Online Application: The application to UTRGV’s graduate programs can be completed online at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply
- Application Fee: The University application fee which can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application), or in the form of money order or check and sent to the Office of Payments and Collections. In the case of money order or check, the applicant is responsible for submitting a copy of the receipt to the Graduate College for documentation. All application fees are non-refundable.
- Official Transcripts*: Official college transcripts are to be sent to the Graduate College office directly from all the institutions attended. If the applicant attended UTRGV at any time, those official transcripts will be handled by the Graduate College office; however, the applicant is responsible for requesting official transcripts to be sent directly from all other institution(s).
*Transcripts must be sealed and sent directly from the institution to be considered official. Transcripts will be considered unofficial if they are hand delivered by the applicant or third party regardless if sealed by the institution. Failure to submit a complete/correct application and official transcripts from all institutions attended will result in one of the following: rejection of application, withdrawal of admission offer or disciplinary action including expulsion if the student is enrolled. All submitted documents become the property of UTRGV and will not be returned. Admission documents will remain on file for one year if the applicant does not attend the University. Documents will be retained for seven years for students enrolled in a master’s level program and for ten years for students enrolled in a doctoral program. Please review the Student File Retention Schedule for more details.
- Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application http://www.caspaonline.org
- Application Deadline is September 1st
Note : All prerequisites must be completed by the October 1 deadline. Prerequisites taken during the Fall or Spring semesters during or after the October 1 deadline will not be considered for interview or admission. All applicants who are accepted must have a completed Bachelor's degree, its equivalent or a higher degree upon matriculation to the Physician Assistant Department.
Phase II: The Admissions Process
- Meet minimum Graduate School requirements
All applicants must first apply to the Graduate College online. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements for entry into the Graduate College will be forwarded to the Physician Assistant Program for further review.
- CASPA Application Review
- Applicants meeting the minimum requirements for entry into the Graduate College will considered for CASPA application review. CASPA applications for applicants not meeting Graduate College criteria will not be reviewed.
- The basis for inviting an applicant for interview is competitive. GPA’s > 3.0 in the sciences and last 30 hours are most competitive. Offers of invitation for interview consider the applicant’s academic performance represented by coursework, grades, and GPAs. In addition, application review includes, but is not limited to, consideration of non- academic qualifications listed below (listed in no particular order of preference or importance):
- Awards and honors
- Health care experience
- Knowledge of and commitment to the PA profession
- Leadership
- PA shadow time
- Primary care/South Texas-oriented
- Research background
- Scholastic achievements
- Service/volunteerism
- Work experience
- Interview
Admissions interviews are granted by the PA program by invitation only. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of the entire application and supporting materials. The interview includes questions to assess the applicant's knowledge of the PA profession, motivation and commitment, maturity, intellectual curiosity, interest patterns, interpersonal skills and academic history.
- Admissions Committee Decisions
At the conclusion of all interviews, the admissions committee (comprised of the PA program faculty, and the medical director,) meets to review all applicants who were interviewed and will forward their selections to the program director and dean for approval. Once approved, those selected will be forwarded to the Graduate College for approval and official notification.
Program Requirements
Required Courses
Didactic Phase - 48 Hours
Clinical Phase - 36 Hours
Capstone Phase - 16 Hours
Capstone Requirement
- Oral Comprehensive Exam
- Written Comprehensive Exam
- Evidence Based Medicine Research Paper
Total Credit Hours: 100