Program Overview
- Program Duration
- 27 Months (7 Semesters)
- Format
- On Campus
- Accreditation
- ARC-PA
- Curriculum
- Full-time basis
Important Application Deadlines
-
OCT 1
October 1, 2026
Fall 2027 Deadline
Oakland
Key Points of Contact
-
Office of Admission
What Is SMU's Master Physician Assistant Program?
SMU's full-time, 27-month MPA program combines foundational medical education with extensive clinical preparation. Students gain:
- Early hands-on experience through simulation, standardized patient encounters, and clinical skills training.
- Supervised clinical rotations that prepare students to evaluate patients and make informed medical decisions across healthcare settings.
- Preparation for national certification and professional practice as a physician assistant.
Why Choose the Samuel Merritt University MPA Program?
Students begin applying what they learn through simulation and standardized patient encounters before entering full-time clinical rotations, building confidence in patient care while strengthening diagnostic reasoning. As part of a university dedicated to healthcare education, MPA students learn in a collaborative environment that prepares them to work alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals in practice.
96%
Job Placement
Graduates who found employment in their field within six months.
#1
Healthcare Job
Physician assistant is the best healthcare job, according to U.S. News & World Report Best Jobs rankings.
$128k
Median Salary for PAs in California
Becoming a PA can be a financially rewarding career path.
Admission
What you'll need to apply.
MPA is an entry-level master's degree designed for students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree with a major in any area. Applicants will be evaluated for admission based upon the following criteria in the context of the program's core values and mission as outlined in the principles of holistic admission below.
All candidates must have completed the following minimum criteria at the time of application to be considered for admission:
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- 16 semester units or 24 quarter units of biological sciences that include:
- Human Anatomy 4 semester/6 quarter units
- Human Physiology 4 semester/6 quarter units
- Microbiology 4 semester/6 quarter units
- Biology 4 semester/6 quarter units
- 11 semester units or 17 quarter units of other math/science that includes
- Statistics 3 semester/5 quarter units
- Inorganic/General Chemistry* 4 semester/6 quarter units
- Organic Chemistry* 4 semester/6 quarter units
- A minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA
- 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience
- Three letters of reference
- Casper test (no minimum score is required)
- PA-CAT examination (recommended, but not required; no minimum score required)
All prerequisite courses must have a grade of "C" or better. There are no lab requirements for prerequisite courses. Introductory or advanced courses are acceptable.
*For general and organic chemistry, we require courses at the level a biology or pre-med student would complete.
For applicants in quarter systems who have taken Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Microbiology courses with a lab and are short in units, an advanced course may be able to fulfill the requirement for the subject. Contact the Office of Admission for more information.
Preference is given to applicants who:
- Have completed the master's in biomedical sciences degree at SMU with a GPA > 3.5
- Have completed a master's degree at an institution with an affiliation with SMU granting a limited number of guaranteed interviews, which include UC Davis, UCSF, Laverne, SF State, Charles Drew (EDGE-PA)
- Have completed a master's degree in a science field
- Have a cumulative and science GPAs > 3.4 and last 60 units GPA > 3.4
- Have > 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience, with > 1,000 hours in the same setting
- Work in a patient care capacity that requires licensing or certification
- Have a high level of responsibility in patient care
- Have a variety of patient care experiences
- Demonstrate continuity of patient care
- Have experience shadowing a PA
- Have letters of recommendation from PAs, MDs or DOs
- Are Veterans
- Are fluent/conversational in two or more languages (including English)
- Demonstrate volunteer/community service and leadership activities
- Have letters of recommendation from a licensed clinical supervisor, with preference from a PA or physician
- Demonstrate educational or socioeconomic disadvantages
- *Examples of disadvantages include medically underserved indicator, family income economically disadvantaged, high number of free/reduced school lunches, family/applicant receives public assistance, applicant from designated HPSA, high school with low percentage in college, 1st generation to attend college, from designated rural or urban (inner city) areas.
Principles of Holistic Admission
Holistic reviews use additional factors and life experience to identify applicants with skills and interests that will support SMU's mission. Holistic review also seeks to provide opportunities for under-resourced candidates to access health care careers. Factors are consistent with the University and PA Program mission and are assessable within the CASPA application. Applicants are evaluated on academic performance, clinical experience, community services, and leadership activities in addition to the preferences noted above.
Financial Aid
Many Master Physician Assistant students use scholarships, loans, employer assistance, and financial aid to support their education.
Samuel Merritt University works closely with students throughout the financial aid process—from completing the FAFSA to understanding scholarship opportunities and building a financial plan that supports their educational goals.
Scholarships for MPA students include:
- Sharon Clark Diaz
- Employee Campaign
- Marshall Steele, Jr.
- Hitchcock Heydman
- Henry & Bernice Bigge
- Faculty Scholarship
- Alumni Scholarship
- Elks of the Year
- William Breslin
- WICHE grants available for certain geographical areas
In addition to tuition and fees, financial aid can also cover:
- Books and supplies
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Other fees as determined by program/college
Your financial aid package at Samuel Merritt University is personalized to you. We develop your financial aid package using guidelines set by the Department of Education and the estimated costs of each program. Once you receive your financial aid package, check the budget against your actual living expenses, and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
Cost
For a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program, visit Student Accounts.
Tuition*
Cohort Starting August 2026: Full Tuition for the 27-month program is $170,003.
- Stethoscope
- Professional Instruments Lease
- iPad with keyboard, case, and magic pencil
- Electronic Medical Reference (Access Medicine, with most required textbooks)
- Electronic Medical Research Database (UpToDate, Medline, CINAHL, PubMed)
- Board and Class Exam Preparation (Blueprint Prep Didactic and Clinical Bank)
- Student Clinical Tracking Software (Exxat)
- Board Review Course
- BLS Training
- ACLS Training
- Examination gown
- Lab Coat with Logo (one coat)
- Global Ultrasound Institute (GUSI) Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training
- Additional medical certifications (HIPAA, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal Precautions, Smiles for Life, TeamSTEPPS)
- None
- There are currently no additional course fees. SMU has taken many steps to make the tuition inclusive and eliminate surprise fees.
- Food and Housing- $87,521
- Transportation - $28,000
- Personal expenses - $20,335
- Loan fees - $6,755
- Supplies - $6,300 (which includes laptop, privacy screen, mobile device, printing)
- Health Insurance - $2,700
- Immunizations and Tuberculosis testing - $200
- Background Check and Records - $200
- Physical examinations - $100
- AAPA Conference Attendance (Semesters 3 and 6) $3,000
- International Medical Mission Trip (Winter break 1 and 2) $4,000
Application Fees
Application fees are payable to the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Samuel Merritt University does not charge an additional admission fee.
Application Fee = $184
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Beginning 2027, students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1500 to secure their seat in the class. Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Policies and procedures for refunds of tuition and fees can be found in the Student Handbook and Catalog.
For the current expected cost of the Master Physician Assistant program, please
download the Full 2026-2027 Tuition Guide. Samuel Merritt University strives to support the future of
healthcare through financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Learn more about the support available for you:
Prerequisites
Biological sciences courses must include classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and an additional biology elective. See additional details below.
For applicants in the quarter systems who have taken Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Microbiology courses with a lab and are short in units, an advanced course may be able to fulfill the requirement for the subject. Contact the Admission Office for more information.
Human Anatomy*, introductory or advanced course is acceptable, no lab required. A combined course in A&P can be used to meet the requirement only if two combined A&P courses are presented, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
Human Physiology*, introductory or advanced course is acceptable, no lab required. A combined course in A&P can be used to meet the requirement only if two combined A&P courses are presented, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
Microbiology*, introductory or advanced course is acceptable, no lab required, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
Biology Elective, any area of the biological sciences, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
Statistics, introductory or advanced course is acceptable, 3.0 semester or 5.0 quarter units
Inorganic/General Chemistry*, we will accept a standard Inorganic Chemistry course or the first course of a General Chemistry course series. We require chemistry courses at the level a biology or premed major would complete, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
Organic Chemistry*, we will accept a standard Organic Chemistry course or the second course of a General Chemistry course series. We require chemistry courses at the level a biology or premed major would complete, 4.0 semester or 6.0 quarter units
*Strong preference will be given to those who have completed these courses within the past five years. This recent recommendation is less stringent for those currently working in the healthcare field.
International Medical Graduates
International medical graduates and students educated abroad may apply for admission. Regardless of previous professional training and academic degrees earned, the SMU MPA curriculum must be completed in its entirety; the MPA program does not offer advanced placement.
All international academic transcripts must be evaluated by a U.S. evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) for degree, course content, semester unit equivalencies, and science and cumulative GPAs prior to the application deadline. The evaluation must be sent to CASPA as part of the application. Information on NACES may be found at www.naces.org. For all applicants educated outside the United States, it is strongly recommended that they complete one semester (15 units) of graduate or undergraduate coursework at a U.S. college or university. In addition, all other admission requirements must be met. International students are required to have a TOEFL score of 100.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Samuel Merritt University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Curriculum
The first 15 months (four semesters) of the curriculum are devoted to the preclinical studies of the basic medical and clinical science necessary for practice as a physician assistant. The final 12 months (three semesters) of the curriculum are full-time clinical experiences. All courses are required, no transfer credit is accepted, and no advanced placement is offered. All students must be enrolled on a full-time basis. Due to the rigorous nature of the MPA program, being employed outside the University while enrolled is strongly discouraged.
The didactic curriculum begins with basic science and skills courses, followed by applied science and clinical medicine, and ends with medicine specialties and simulation. The curriculum is integrated each semester to allow students to synthesize and apply classroom learning to clinical settings.
Clinical Year
The clinical phase of the program is composed of eight required and two elective rotations, as well as a preclinical preparation course and a summative evaluation course. Rotations may be completed in inpatient and outpatient settings, long-term care centers, and emergency departments.
Required rotations include:
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Women's Health
- Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Behavioral Medicine
As part of the clinical year, students have training in topics related to the transition from program to practice. Students complete Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and N95 mask fitting early in the clinical year.
Please Note: While the PA program is eager to work with students to create a training experience that supports their individual career ambitions and will collaborate with students who present opportunities for clinical training sites, PA students are in no way required to solicit or identify their own clinical sites or preceptors (ARC accreditation standard A3.03).
More About This Program
Core Values
The faculty of the Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant (PA) program places significant importance on the admission process. We believe that recruiting high-quality candidates who will actively engage in graduate medical education and honor the responsibility placed on a healthcare provider is imperative to the success of our graduates and our institution. To this end, the PA faculty has identified core values that will be evaluated in all candidates for admission to our program. These values, in order of importance to the PA faculty, are:
- Interpersonal/Interprofessional Communication
- Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
- Patient Interaction/Professional Exposure
- Responsibility
- Technical Skill
- Medical Knowledge
In our review of each applicant, we are looking for individuals demonstrating these values. It is the applicant’s responsibility to use the components of the CASPA application, including personal statements, supplemental essays, and descriptions of previous experiences, to demonstrate the values listed above.
Note: Unless addressed above, all other PA admission requirements apply.
Other Requirements
Letters of Reference
Three letters of reference are required. One letter should be from a medical provider (PA, NP, DPM, MD, or DO) who has directly observed you in your patient care role. Competitive applicants will have at least one letter of reference from a PA. Letters from personal friends, family, or patients will not be accepted.
Interviews
From the process described above, the program will generate an interview pool of competitive candidates. The all-day in-person or virtual interview is mandatory and includes multiple activities to assess each applicant, including a meeting with the department chair, individual faculty/alumni interviews, student panel interview, multiple mini interviews and/or a team-based activity. Applicants will be assessed on communication skills, emotional intelligence, professional practice, academic readiness, ethical orientation, and fit for the program.
Students will be selected for admission based on all scores and feedback generated during the application review and interview process described above. The program will make final decisions by March 1, and formal notifications will be sent by the admissions office thereafter. Students will be informed of admissions decisions by one of the following notifications: offer of admission, waitlist with position number, or denial of admission. If you have not received a formal notification from the Office of Admission by March 16, please contact the Office of Admission.
Students who need disability accommodations may request them by emailing the director of the Disability Resource Center. Please give as much notice as you can to allow time to set them up.
Patient Care Experience
We define patient care experience as paid or volunteer work in a clinical setting that involves hands-on patient care, where you are directly responsible for the patient’s well-being. Patient care experience does not include front office or administrative work. Examples of patient care experience include, but are not limited to:
Medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, behavioral health technician, phlebotomist, paramedic, athletic trainer, clinical pharmacist, dietician, medical scribe, physical therapy aide, radiology technician, registered nurse, respiratory therapist, sonographer, patient advocate, medical interpreter, social worker, or community health worker, etc.
All reported patient care experience will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
- Certification
- Specific duties performed
- Quality of patient interaction
- Total number of hours accrued
- Setting(s)
- Patient population served
We value both variety and continuity of clinical experiences.
Casper
The program will require applicants to complete the Casper test beginning 2024. Your Casper results do not need to be included in your application; the MPA program will access your results directly in Acuity Insight. Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test. It asks what you would do in a tough situation, and more importantly, why. This helps determine behavioral tendencies of applicants pursuing people-centered professions. The results of the Casper test will be included in our holistic admissions review.
Casper test deadline: September 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM PDT. Students without a Casper test result will not be considered for an interview or admission in the upcoming cycle.
Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT)
The SMU PA Program recommends candidates to complete the PA-CAT as part of our holistic admissions process beginning in 2026. Information on registering for the PA-CAT can be found here: https://www.pa-cat.com. As the PA-CAT is recommended, but not required, no minimum score is required.
PA Program Competencies (ARC Accreditation Standard A2.12g)
Medical Knowledge (PLO1)
- Demonstrate mastery of principles of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology necessary for entry-level clinical practice as a physician assistant
- Demonstrate competency in obtaining an adequate medical history necessary to evaluate, diagnose, and formulate a patient-centered treatment plan for patients with commonly encountered medical, surgical, and behavioral conditions
- Demonstrate competency in physical examination skills necessary to evaluate, diagnose, and formulate a patient-centered treatment plan for patients with commonly encountered medical, surgical, and behavioral conditions
- Understand pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic principles of patient health management and wellness
- Demonstrate the application of medical knowledge and critical thinking necessary to develop an accurate differential diagnosis in patients presenting with common medical, surgical, and behavioral conditions
- Apply current healthcare screening and maintenance recommendations for patients across the life span
Communication Skills & Teamwork (PLO2)
- Develop and demonstrate effective, professional, and ethical interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and emotional stability appropriate for working in the healthcare setting
- Demonstrate competency in oral and written communication that meets the medical and legal standards established for healthcare professionals
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with other healthcare professionals
Patient-Centered Care (PLO3)
- Understand the influence of culture, biases, and attitudes on health and healthcare practices
- Demonstrate empathy, respect, and appropriate sensitivity to perspectives, values, and cultural norms that may differ from one’s own
- Access and utilize evidence-based recommendations and guidelines for patient-centered clinical practice
- Effectively demonstrate skills in obtaining patient history that addresses the unique preferences, values, needs, and cultural/spiritual norms of each patient and their family, and develop patient management plans that are in concordance with those elements
- Work effectively with other members of the healthcare team, including the patient and family, to provide care that is responsive to the patient’s needs
- Utilize patient education and counseling techniques, including information technology, that are appropriate and responsive to a patient’s age, preferences, values, culture, and norms
Professional Development (PLO4)
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner in all academic and clinical settings
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, reliability, responsibility, empathy, respect, and integrity
- Demonstrate professional relationships with other healthcare providers
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and ethical practice
- Demonstrate culturally appropriate care in a diverse patient population
Evidence-Based Practice (PLO5)
- Locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health
- Critically evaluate medical literature using their knowledge of study design and statistical methods to inform their clinical practice
- Identify and evaluate current medical literature to enhance their medical knowledge
- Identify and evaluate current medical literature used in clinical decision-making related to best practice standards
Program Outcomes, PANCE Performance, and Attrition
Certification Exams, Graduation, and Employment Rates
Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) Pass Rates (First-Time Takers Only)
- CY2025 (2026 PANCE Pass Rate): 92%
- CY2024 (2025 PANCE Pass Rate): 79%
- CY2023 (2024 PANCE Pass Rate): 80%
- CY2022 (2023 PANCE Pass Rate): 95%
- CY2021 (2022 PANCE Pass Rate): 87%
NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report Last 5 years
Graduation Rate*
- CY2025, 91%
- CY2024, 98%
- CY2023, 91%
- CY2022, 89%
- CY2021, 98%
- CY2020, 96%
*% of Entering Cohort that Graduated Within 150% of Expected Time
Program Attrition
Graduated Classes | |||
Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 | |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| Entering class size | 46 | 46 | 46 |
| Graduates | 39 | 42 | 42 |
| *Attrition rate | 9 | 2 | 9 |
| **Graduation rate | 91 | 98 | 91 |
Entering class size includes newly enrolled students for the admission cycle and students joining the class cohort who began in another cohort and either decelerated or took a leave of absence and returned to join a different class. Data is based off information as of 4/1/2026.
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attrited from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the entering class size (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
** Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
Employment Rate in the Profession (within 6 months of graduation)**
- 2020-2021 graduating class, 96%
- 2019-2020 graduating class, 68%
- 2018-2019 graduating class, 96%
- 2017-2018 graduating class, 94%
- 2016-2017 graduating class, 93%
**Employment data only includes graduates who responded to SMU Alumni Survey; employment rate not necessarily representative of graduates who did not respond to SMU Alumni Survey.
Program Goals
SMU MPA Program Goals
Benchmarks and measures of success for current class(es) and three previous cohorts
Reviewed and updated annually in August
Goal 1: To graduate knowledgeable PAs through rigorous didactic and clinical education
- Measures of success include program accreditation status, cumulative GPA, and PANCE pass rates.
1. Accreditation
- Benchmark: maintain the status of accreditation-continuing
Outcome:
- 2021-2029 accreditation-continuing
The SMU PA Program is currently meeting Goal 1 in this benchmark.
2. Cumulative GPA
- Benchmark: Cohort cumulative GPA > 3.2
Outcome: Average cumulative GPA by cohort
- Class of 2025: 3.62
- Class of 2024: 3.56
- Class of 2023: 3.53
- Class of 2022: 3.58
The SMU PA Program is currently meeting Goal 1 in this benchmark.
3. PANCE
- Benchmark: At or above national average for first time takers
- See NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report Last 5 years above
Outcome: PANCE Exam Pass Rate for First Time Takers
- CY2024 (national average 92%): 79%
- CY2023 (national average 92%): 78%
- CY2022 (national average 92%): 95%
The SMU PA Program is not currently meeting Goal 1 in this benchmark.
Action Plan:
The Program performed above the national PANCE pass rate in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, there was a decline in first time PANCE pass rates. Ultimately, 98% of graduates passed the PANCE for the CY2023 cohort; not all graduates have retaken the PANCE for the CY2024 cohort as of 9/1/25. The Program has made adjustments to the admissions, didactic, and clinical phases of the Program to remain above the national first PANCE pass rate.
Goal 2: To graduate PAs who function as effective members of interprofessional teams
Measures of Success include participation in interprofessional learning at SMU, including IPE simulation and completion of an IPE Passport.
1. IPE Simulation
- Benchmark: 100% participation in IPE Patient Safety and Communication simulation, didactic spring semester
Outcome: Since 2016, we have had 100% participation of PA students in the Interprofessional Patient Safety and Communication simulation activity. Students participate in multi-learning simulation scenarios with colleagues from other disciplines and learn from and with each other in this unique learning experience.
The SMU PA Program is currently meeting Goal 2 in this benchmark.
2. IPE Passport
- Benchmark: completion of student SMU IPE Passport (beginning Class of 2026)
Outcome: The SMU IPE Passport consists of 3 Levels of activities. Students must complete activities in all 3 levels to complete the passport and be eligible to graduate with a distinction in IPE.
No data is available to determine the outcome of the SMU PA Program on meeting this goal; cohorts graduate in December, and data collection is ongoing.
Goal 3: To graduate PAs who effectively use data, information, and technology to support medical decision-making
Measures of Success include didactic assessments using emerging technologies and preceptor evaluation of student performance.
1. Preceptor Evaluation
- Preceptor evaluation of student performance: Information Literacy: Effectively uses data, information, and technology to support medical decision making.
- Benchmark: Cohort mean of 4.5 out of 5 (mode = 4) or above on preceptor evaluations rating students on effective use of data, information, and technology to support medical decision making.
Outcome:
- CY2022: overall cohort mean of 4.6 out of 5 (mode = 5); response rate 94%
- CY2023: overall cohort mean of 4.6 out of 5 (mode = 5); response rate 89%
- CY2024: overall cohort mean of 4.6 out of 5 (mode = 5); response rate 98%
The SMU PA Program is currently meeting Goal 3 in this benchmark.
2. Didactic Assessments
- Benchmark: All students will pass didactic assessments using emerging technologies.
Outcome: Pass rate on the following data points by cohort:
- PA 690 Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine: Literature Review
- CY2022: 100% (average score 100%)
- CY2023: 100% (average score 98%)
- CY2024: 100% (average score 99%)
- CY2025: 100% (average score 100%)
- CY2026: 100% (average score 99%)
- PA 608-610 Pharmacology series: case management exams utilizing clinical databases to support medical decision making (beginning Class of 2025)
- CY2025:
- PA 610 Introduction to Pharmacology: 100% (average score 8.7/10)
- PA 608 Pharmacology I: 100% (average score 17.5/20)
- PA 609 Pharmacology II: 100% (average score 18.3/20)
- CY2026
- PA 610 Introduction to Pharmacology: 100% (average score 9.8/10)
- PA 608 Pharmacology I: 100% (average score 19.4/20)
- PA 609 Pharmacology II: 100% (average score 19.1/20)
- CY2025:
- PA 624 Geriatrics: medication reconciliation assignment utilizing clinical assessment tools to support medical decision making (beginning Class of 2026)
- CY2026: 100%
- CY2026: 100%
- PA 606 Summative Evaluation: Poster project to identify current or potential quality of care improvements in medicine; the project can consist of a survey tool used during rotations or a review of the current, evidence-based, peer-reviewed, medical literature that addresses the goal(s) of the study.
- CY2022: 100% (average score 78/80)
- CY2023: 100% (average score 80/80)
- CY2024: 100% (average score 79.5/80)
The SMU PA Program is currently meeting Goal 3 in this benchmark.
Goal 4: To graduate PAs who engage in effective self-care and wellness strategies to avoid provider burnout
Measures of Success include student advising surveys and passing the didactic Wellness course series.
1. Advising Survey
- Semester advising survey: Did the student articulate a plan for effective self-care and wellness?
- Benchmark: 90% of students are able to articulate effective and appropriate measures to assure their own personal wellness in regular meetings with their advisers.
Outcome:
The percentage of students during advising able to articulate a plan for effective self-care and wellness:
- Class of 2022: 93-98% across 4 didactic semesters
- Class of 2023: 98-100% across 4 didactic semesters
- Class of 2024: 98% to 100% across 4 didactic semesters
- Class of 2025: 93% to 100% across 4 didactic semesters
- Class of 2026: 93% to 100% across 3 didactic semesters
The SMU PA Program is currently meeting Goal 4 in this benchmark.
2. Wellness course series
The PA Program plans to implement a Wellness series to instruct students in how to develop, apply and evaluate personal wellness strategies toward personal and professional growth, including the prevention of impairment and burnout. Once implemented, the measure of success will be successfully completing this 3-course series. This course has been approved by the SMU Curriculum Committee and Board, and is pending approval by ARC-PA.
Outcome: no data is available yet, pending course approval.
Goal 5: To graduate PAs who enrich the community through service.
Measures of success include student participation in community service.
- Benchmark: All students participate in community service during the program (beginning Class of 2025).
Outcomes: No data is available to determine the outcome of the SMU PA Program on meeting this goal; cohorts graduate in December and data collection is ongoing.
FAQ
Will the program accept online prerequisites?
Yes, the program will accept all prerequisite coursework (including labs) completed online from an accredited institution. However, faculty highly encourages labs to be taken in person.
Will the program accept prerequisites completed as Pass/Fail?
Yes, the program will accept prerequisite courses completed on a Pass/Fail basis ONLY for Spring/Fall 2020. All completed prerequisites must have a passing grade.
Will the program accept virtual shadowing experience?
No. The program understands that shadowing experiences with physician assistants in clinical settings is difficult and can be an obstacle to applicants. However, we believe it is critical to understanding the role of physician assistants to shadow or work with PAs in person, and therefore we will no longer accept virtual shadowing experience.
Will there be any delay in processing of applications?
No, there are no changes to the PA department’s application review timeline or process.
Why was the minimum Patient Care Experience (PCE) requirement increased to 2,000 hours?
After carefully reviewing data from our previous cohorts, we found that students who were admitted into the program and had continued success typically had at least 2,000 hours of PCE when applying. The MPA program’s most recent cohorts averaged about 4,000 hours of PCE per applicant. Based on this, the requirement was adjusted to better reflect the level of preparation needed to succeed within the program.
All requirements were carefully evaluated and updated prior to the MPA 2026-2027 application cycle opening date of April 30th, 2026. During an active application cycle, additional updates to the requirements will not be made.
Note: Unless addressed above, all other PA admission requirements apply.
Technical Standards
MPA students are expected to develop a robust medical knowledge base and requisite clinical skills, with the ability to appropriately apply knowledge and skills, effectively interpret information, and contribute to patient-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of medical situations in all settings. The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the MPA program as well as current MPA students who are candidates for retention, promotion, or graduation.
These requirements may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations, the cost of which will be borne by the institution. These standards should not serve as a deterrent to any candidate with disabilities who desires to pursue medical education. Candidates with disabilities bring unique perspectives that contribute to the diversity of the student population and will create a diverse healthcare workforce of culturally competent practitioners who can meet the needs of their patients. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center to begin a confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards. Fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation from the MPA program does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements of any specific clinical position.
Observational Skills
A candidate must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and experiences in foundational sciences. In addition, a candidate must be able to evaluate a patient accurately and assess relevant health, behavioral, and medical information. Candidates must be able to obtain and interpret information through comprehensive assessment of patients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patient physiologic data, and accurately evaluate patient conditions and responses.
Communication Skills
Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective caregiving of patients, including the ability to communicate effectively in English with all members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, patients, and their families in person and in writing. Candidates must be able to clearly and accurately record information and accurately interpret verbal and non-verbal communication.
Patient Care Skills
Candidates must perform physical examinations and diagnostic maneuvers. A candidate should be able to perform or direct basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, wet mount, etc.), diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (venipuncture, placement of catheters and tubes, lumbar puncture, suturing, etc.), and interpret electrocardiograms and imaging studies. A candidate must be able to provide or direct general care and emergency treatment for patients, and respond to emergency situations in a timely manner; examples of emergency treatments reasonably required of a physician assistant include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medications, application of pressure to arrest bleeding, opening obstructed airways, and performance of obstetrical maneuvers. Candidates must meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow universal precaution procedures.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Cognitive Skills
Candidates must be able to learn through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to, classroom instruction; laboratory, including cadaver lab; small group, team and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; and use of computer technology. A candidate must effectively interpret, assimilate, and understand the complex information required to function within the PA school curriculum including, but not limited to, the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures; effectively participate in individual, small group, and lecture learning modalities in the classroom, clinical and community settings; learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team; synthesize information both in person and via remote technology; interpret causal connections and make accurate, fact-based conclusions based on available data and information; formulate a hypothesis and investigate the potential answers and outcomes; and reach appropriate and accurate conclusions. A candidate must be able to find sources of knowledge and acquire the knowledge through various modalities, and possess the ability to be a lifelong learner.
Behavioral Attributes, Social Skills, and Professional Expectations
A candidate must be able to exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. The skills required to do so include the ability to effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients. Candidates are expected to exhibit professionalism, personal accountability, compassion, integrity, concern for others, and interpersonal skills including the ability to accept and apply feedback, respect boundaries, and care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status. Candidates should understand, and function within, the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine, and maintain and display ethical and moral behaviors commensurate with the role of a physician assistant in all interactions with patients, faculty, staff, students, and the public. Interest and motivation throughout the educational processes are expected of all candidates.
