Question 1: Do I need to have a bachelor's degree to apply?
No, a bachelor's degree may be in progress at the time of application. HOWEVER, the degree must be earned by the end of the spring term of the planned year of matriculation. Visit the view requirements page for a complete list of requirements.

Question 2: Do you require a minimum GPA to apply?
Yes. You must achieve a minimum overall, prerequisite, and science GPA of 2.7 in order to apply. Visit the view requirements page for a complete list of requirements.

Question 4: Do you require any standardized tests prior to application?
No. The MSPA program does not currently require any standardized testing prior to application.

Question 5: How many hours of work experience are required prior to application?
None! This is a good question to ask other schools, as some will require between 1000 and 5000 hours of experience prior to application. However, community service/involvement is an essential consideration for admission to our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

Question 6: Can I transfer into your physician assistant program from another physician assistant program?
We do not accept transfer students.

Question 7: Do you give preference to California residents?
No. Although a significant portion of our student body is from California, this is merely a reflection of our overall applicant pool.

Question 8: Can international students apply?
Yes, we consider international applicants for admission. International applicants follow the same application procedures as domestic applicants, but must also have their foreign transcripts evaluated by a pre-approved evaluation service.

Question 9: Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state residents?
Yes. We are a private institution so we charge one tuition rate for everyone. Visit the financing my education for more information on tuition, scholarships and loans.

Question 10: Does it matter that I'm older than your average applicant?
Definitely not. We find that students of all ages make unique contributions to the class. We encourage applications from qualified applicants regardless of age.

Question 11: Can I turn in more than the required number of recommendation letters?
Yes. However, it is advisable to limit the number to one-two extra since a total of three-four well-chosen recommendations will usually paint a clear picture of the candidate, and additional recommendations will only add to the committee members' reading time.

Question 12: Do you have an early decision process?
No. There is not an early decision process in place for the MSPA program.

Question 13: How and when will I know if I've been invited for an interview?
Interviews are held in February and March. If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified by email in late January or early February.

Question 14: How does the committee decide which applicants are offered seats?
The admissions committee works hard to select the best candidates for the program. To make this decision they consider a range of information including academic credentials, community service background and information gleaned from the personal interview.  Visit the competitive candidate profile page for additional insights.

Question 15: When are acceptance letters and final notifications mailed?
Acceptance letters are typically mailed in early April.

Question 16: Will I be required to complete a background check?
To meet State regulations and hospital accreditation requirements, hospital facilities are requiring students to complete criminal background checks prior to beginning rotations/clinical experiences. Some rotations require a urine drug test as well. Because of this new regulation to assure patient safety, students admitted to the PA Program will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to clinical rotations. Certain convictions may prevent students from entering hospital facilities, which may hinder a student's ability to successfully complete the PA Program. If a criminal conviction or other relevant sanction is shown on the background check, hospital facilities have discretion as to whether the individual may enter the clinical facility as a student. Applicants and current students are advised to check with the appropriated State(s) licensing boards to determine whether their backgrounds may be a barrier to future licensing.

Question 17: Does the PA program require drug screening tests?
Urine drug screens will be required if needed for clinical rotations or any sentinel acts. Procedures for obtaining a background investigation, urine drug screenings, and costs to the students, will be disseminated by the PA Clinical Education Staff.

Question 18: Am I required to have certain immunizations or health screening procedures completed before matriculation?
As students will have some exposure to patients during the first year, no students will be allowed to matriculate until they have supplied proof that they are current on the following immunizations and health screenings consistent with current CDC recommendations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) (proof of immunization or serologic titers showing immunity), Polio, tetanus/Diphtheria (within 10 years), Hepatitis B (proof of completion of 3 shot series or serologic titers showing immunity), P.P.D. (Purified Protein Derivative) (within the last six months) or chest x-ray (within last year), Varicella (chicken pox) proof of completion of the age appropriate immunizations series or positive serologic titers. A positive PPD or chest x-ray must be followed up with an appropriate health care provider. No student will be permitted to register or attend classes without having proof of completing required immunizations.

Question 19: How can I request a primary application packet?
Primary applications are available from the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Primary applications must be requested from CASPA, completed and returned to CASPA (or filed electronically). Once everything is submitted and verified, CASPA will electronically submit your information to Western University's admissions office. Upon receipt of your CASPA application in our office you will be notified via e-mail and by postcard with instructions on how to complete and submit our supplemental application. Please note: it typically takes the application service (CASPA) two months to process your primary application and send it to the admissions offices you indicate on your application, so file your application early and check your status frequently! Visit the apply now page for details.

Question 20: How can I request a secondary application packet?
Once everything is submitted and verified, CASPA will electronically submit your information to our admissions office. When we receive your CASPA application we will notify you via e-mail and by postcard with instructions on how to complete and submit our secondary application.

Question 21: I am a re-applicant. How can I improve my application or my chances to get in?
Take a critical review of the information that you mailed the admissions office and see if there are any obvious voids. For example, maybe you had one or two low grades that lowered your overall and/or prerequisite GPA, or maybe you weren't involved in community service, or merely forgot to include it on your application. You would be surprised at how much you can learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your application simply by looking at it from an admissions perspective.

If you had a low grade, especially in a science course, you should consider retaking that class, since we will recalculate your GPA with the new higher grade when we receive the new transcript. It's important to realize that sometimes there isn't one obvious thing that you can change to be admitted. Every case is different and every year the competition is different. Above all else, it is important to realize that we receive applications from many highly qualified applicants each year and are only able to offer acceptances to 98. If this is the path you are committed to, then keep trying! Visit the competitive candidate profile page for additional insights.

Question 1: What are the prerequisite courses for the physician assistant program?
Visit the view requirements page for a complete list of requirements.

Question 2: Can I have prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application? How many?
You may have one science prerequisite (except anatomy and physiology) and one non-science prerequisite in progress after December 31 of the year prior to when you plan to matriculate. These courses must be completed by the end of the spring term of the year you plan to matriculate. Anatomy and Physiology must be completed by December 31 of the year prior to when you plan to matriculate. No exceptions will be made.

Question 3: Can I substitute any courses for your prerequisites?
No. The required classes are clearly outlined and you must complete all prerequisite courses.

Question 4: How are repeated courses calculated in the GPAs?
When calculating your GPAs the admissions staff will only use the course in which the better grade was received. Courses and the grades received will not be averaged or counted more than once. The GPAs reported on the CASPA application are re-calculated upon the arrival of the CASPA application in our office. The staff will review the CASPA and will re-calculate the GPA making sure to remove the previously taken courses in which the lesser grade(s) was/were received.

Question 5: Do you accept Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit for any of the prerequisites?
No. We will only accept graded courses to satisfy prerequisites.

Question 6: Do you accept CLEP, A/P credit or can I test out of any prerequisites?
No. We do not accept CLEP, AP credit nor can you test out of any prerequisites.

Question 7: Can I talk to a counselor about my coursework?
If you’d like to find out whether the courses you’ve taken or plan to take will satisfy WesternU’s MSPA prerequisites you can:

• search the prerequisite database by institution.
• if your courses aren't listed in the database and you have a few course questions you may electronically submit a prerequisite verification form.
• if your courses aren't listed in the database and you have numerous course questions, or simply wish to lay out your coursework you may instead print and submit an academic worksheet.

By laying out your coursework in relation to our prerequisites, you will be able to determine the courses you may still need to complete. In addition, you will be able to assess your academic performance in the courses (prerequisites) our admissions committee believes are of greatest importance. If the course name does not match the prerequisite title, be sure to include a course description for reference.

Once you receive our assessment, feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. 

Question 1: What is the difference between a physician assistant and a family nurse practitioner?
This varies somewhat by state. Physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners (NP) share many of the duties. However, the primary difference is that a PA is a dependent practitioner that necessitates a relationship with a supervising physician.

Question 2: How many applications do you receive, interviews do you grant, and applicants do you accept in an average year?
For the 2009 entering class, we received just over 1,300 applications and interviewed 420 to seat a class of 98. Visit the competitive candidate profile page for additional information.

Question 3: What is the board passing rate for your physician assistant students?
Our graduates have consistently scored well on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) for those taking the test for the first time. 100% of our 2007 MSPA graduates passed the national exam with 95% passing it the first time.

Question 4: Is it advisable to work while I take classes?
No. Students are not allowed to work while attending the program.

Question 5: How can I learn more about your physician assistant program?
Join us for an information session, request an information packet be sent by mail, or contact us with your questions.

Question 6: Do you have any information sessions/workshops on campus?
We host information sessions on campus approximately once a month. We encourage you to view the schedule and RSVP for an upcoming session online. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to meet faculty members, learn more about Western University, the physician assistant profession and the program curriculum. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from students and faculty and tour the facilities.

Question 7: When are campus tours available?
We welcome you to meet our students and enjoy a student-led campus tour. Please visit our Campus Tour Page for upcoming dates and to schedule a tour.

Question 8: How can I request an information packet?
Submit an electronic information request form and we'll be happy to mail you a brochure and keep you appraised of the latest developments.

Question 9: How can I learn more about the financial aid available to me?
For more information regarding tuition, scholarships, and loans, please visit the financing my education page.