MS in Physician Assistant Studies Program

The CASPA portal is Open, with applications due December 1, 2024, for the PA class beginning in June 2025.

The Bay Path University Physician Assistant Program is a participating member of the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applications must be submitted online, directly to CASPA. Our CASPA admissions cycle begins in mid-April each year with a deadline of December 1st – COMPLETE & VERIFIED status.

Applicants are required to complete and submit a supplemental application. Download the supplemental application PDF. The fee is $60, and the deadline for completing the supplemental application is also December 1st.

Applications are reviewed by the Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee, who evaluate the candidate's overall qualities. Selected applicants are offered an interview to assess interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, and commitment to a career as a PA. Interviews will be conducted in January or early February.

Students offered acceptance will be notified soon after interviews. Candidates who are not offered admission after the interview MAY be placed on a waitlist. Offers of acceptance are extended to candidates on the waitlist if a candidate from the accepted class list withdraws from the program prior to matriculation. Once an offer of acceptance is made by the program, the applicant will have a designated amount of time to accept or decline the offer. An acceptance must be accompanied by a non-refundable $1000.00 tuition deposit in order to hold the applicant's place in the class.

Admissions Review & Selection Process

The Bay Path University Physician Assistant (PA) Program utilizes a meaningful and mission-aligned admissions and selection process that considers the ‘whole’ applicant, balancing experiences, attributes, and metrics. It is an individualized and flexible process to evaluate criteria demonstrating the abilities and contributions of each applicant related to the program’s mission while promoting diversity.

The PA program is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and accepting learning environment built on collaboration and belonging. The program believes that a rich education is provided through diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.

In addition, the University endorses the Accreditation Review Commission on Physician Assistant Education (ARC-PA) Standard:

A1.11 The sponsoring institution must demonstrate its commitment to student, faculty and staff diversity, equity, and inclusion by:

1. supporting the program in defining its goal(s) for diversity, equity, and inclusion,
2. supporting the program in implementing recruitment strategies,
3. supporting the program in implementing retention strategies, and
4. making available resources which promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

1. GPA Requirements:
   • Total GPA 3.0 or higher
   • Overall Science GPA 3.0 or higher
2. Prerequisite Requirements: All prerequisite courses listed below must be completed within 10 years of matriculation at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution with a grade of “C” or better:
   • 15 semester hours of biological sciences, which must include Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab (8 credits), and Microbiology (3 credits-lab not required)
   • 15 semester hours of chemical/physical sciences, which must include Organic or Biological Chemistry (labs must be included)
   • One college-level statistics course (3 credits)
   • One college-level Public Health, Social Justice or Ethnic/Gender Studies course (3 credits)
   • AP and CLEP exams are not accepted for prerequisite coursework
3. No more than two outstanding prerequisite courses remaining at the time of application (December 1st).
4. A baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution is required prior to matriculation.
5. A minimum of 500 direct patient contact hours are required. Examples of patient contact hours can include but are not limited to EMT, Paramedic, CNA, Nurses Aid, Respiratory Therapist, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Medical Scribe, Pharmacy Technician or other approved clinical experiences.
6. Three letters of recommendation are required. One must be from a direct supervisor.
7. No GMAT or GRE required.
8. The PA Program will not allow advanced placement for any professional courses or clinical experiences.
9. Preference given for several HRSA Socioeconomic Indicators (including Economically disadvantaged, Family received public assistance, from a medically underserved area or health professional shortage area, or 1st generation college student), Military or Veteran Status, and holds an advanced degree.  
10. Technical Standards for Admission and Graduation- Download the form here

Note: Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee an interview.

International Student Admission Information:

International students must complete the admissions requirements listed above as well as the following:

1. All prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of matriculation and completed at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution.
2. Bachelors degree equivalent to U.S. Bachelor’s degree with an evaluation by World Education Services (WES). Transcript evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant and evaluations must be sent directly to CASPA.
3. English Second Language – TOEFL score of 90 int. – 233 computer – 550 paper

We do not enroll international students who have already completed a medical course of study in a foreign institution of higher education. Each applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation.

 Note: Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee an interview.

Students from historically black colleges and universities are welcome and encouraged to apply. 

Please visit the MS in Physician Assistant Studies program page to learn about curriculum, faculty, program options, and more! 

More Questions? Visit our FAQs page.