Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Graduate MPAS admission requirements at Mercy College of Ohio follow below.

Note that preference is for competitive applicants who will typically have more than minimal requirements. The PA Program does not accept transfer credits into the Graduate Program or credit by examination for prerequisite courses. PA Program admittance is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-requisite coursework and undergraduate degree completion prior to matriculation.

Minimum Requirements (see the next section for competitive thresholds)

• Applicants must be US citizens or US legal permanent residents to qualify for admission to the program.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation into the PA program
  • Undergraduates may apply, provided they will receive a baccalaureate degree prior to the May starting date of the PA program.
  • Applicants with international transcripts are required to submit their official transcripts to World Education Services (WES) for a course-by-course level evaluation and calculated cumulative grade point average (GPA). Contact WES at www.wes.org.

• The following pre-requisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation with no course grade lower than C (Successfully repeated with a grade C or above will be considered)
  • One semester of medical terminology (minimum 1 semester hour or equivalent quarter hours) or valid certificate of completion or equivalent.
  • One semester of psychology (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
  • One semester of statistics (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
  • One semester of genetics (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
  • One semester of organic chemistry (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours), (proper organic chemistry as prerequisite to biochemistry course)
  • One semester of microbiology (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
  • Equivalent of two semesters of combined (human) anatomy and physiology (minimum 6 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours): Labs are preferred but not required.
  • One semester of biochemistry (with organic chemistry prerequisite) (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)

• Prerequisite coursework guidelines
  • All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C (or 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
  • Successfully repeated prerequisite coursework with a grade C or above will be considered.
  • Applicants with pending prerequisite coursework will be considered. Pending coursework must be completed by matriculation. Acceptance into the program will be conditional upon completing all required coursework satisfactorily.
  • Official transcripts must be requested by the applicant to be sent directly to Mercy College of Ohio upon completion of baccalaureate degree and/or completion of pending coursework.
  • Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are acceptable.
  • Due to COVID-19, it is recognized that some applicants may have science coursework (including prerequisites) that are now pass/fail. Although it is strongly encouraged that applicants complete a course and earn a traditional grade, pass/fail coursework will be considered for classes completed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please keep in mind pass/fail coursework does not factor into the science GPA or prerequisite GPA calculation.
  • Outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, pass/fail prerequisite coursework will not be considered.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) coursework will not be accepted for pre-requisite coursework.
  • No advanced placement or standing will be awarded for coursework in the PA program. The program’s curriculum is specifically sequenced so each semester provides an educational foundation upon which the following semesters will build.

• Submit CASPA application online
  • There is no supplemental application or application fee

• Letters of recommendation: Minimum of two (2) two academic or professional letters of recommendation.
  • Examples of appropriate sources for reference letters include: PA or Physician (MD or DO), current or former work supervisor, academic source such as an academic advisor, instructor, or professor.
  • These should be considered suggestions for references only. Applicants should select references based on many factors and should reflect those who know them best. The letters should come from professional sources, not family members or friends.

• GRE General test within the last 5 years
  • The PA CASPA GRE code is 4751.You must choose Mercy College of Ohio as the receiving institution or it will not be visible on the college’s CASPA portal.
  • Official scores are required from the Graduate Record Examination general test (GRE).
  • No other test scores are accepted in lieu of the GRE.
  • GRE scores are required of ALL candidates, including candidates who have already earned masters or doctoral degrees.

• Discernment into the profession such as shadowing, volunteer experience and patient contact

• Technical Standards must be met

• Clinical Requirements must be met at time of matriculation and ongoing per program requirements.

Competitive Thresholds

• Cumulative (Overall) GPA of 3.0

• Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 with no course grade lower than C

• Upper level (science major oriented) courses, preferably taken in the past 5 years, are recommended for the following pre-requisites mentioned in the requirements:
  • Microbiology
  • (Human) Anatomy and Physiology
  • Biochemistry

• Preference for other relevant science coursework earning a C or above

• GRE General test scores
  • Combined verbal/quantitative score over 300
  • Quantitative over 150
  • Analytical Writing GRE result of 3.5 or above

• Deeper discernment into the profession such as paid health care experience/patient contact

Interview Requirements:

• A portion of applicants will be invited for an interview based upon application screening.

• Those applicants under active consideration for candidacy will be asked to complete the Acuity Insights Assessment.

• Completion of Step I Interview: Information Session

• Signed Technical Standards and Pre-disclosure forms

Admissions Cycle Calendar for Mercy College of Ohio’s PA Program *Subject to change

• April: The CASPA (Central Application System for Physician Assistants) application cycle opens for applicants who wish to matriculate in the program in May of the following year.
• May-December: The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing completed applications. Applications will be reviewed and scored based on:
  • Academic achievement (Overall GPA, Prerequisite GPA, Academic Rigor)
  • GRE
  • Healthcare Discernment
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Written and verbal Communication
  • Academic Misconduct, Healthcare Program Dismissal or Professional Misconduct

• December 1: All application materials must be received by CASPA

Interviews and Offers of Admission

• On a rolling basis:
  • Invitations to complete the Acuity Insights Assessment will be extended for applicants eligible to interview. This is used to further review and score an applicant.
  • Invitations will be extended for interviews after review of individual applications.
    
    • Applicants are encouraged to submit their application to CASPA as early as possible.
    • Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are verified and completed, including the Acuity Insights Assessment.
    • Invited candidates will be required to participate in an interview to be considered for admission.
• September - January:
  • Interviews will take place. Offers will be extended to top candidates for open seats.
    • Upon receiving an offer of admission:
      • Candidates will have 14 days to:
        • accept the position and conditions of acceptance
        • pay the initial $750 non-refundable tuition deposit
      • Following the initial 14 days, candidates will have an additional 2 weeks:
        • to pay the remaining $500 to secure their position.
      • When the student matriculates, the non-refundable tuition deposit will be applied to the student’s tuition.

• February-May: Final admissions decisions are made. Offers will be extended for remaining open seats and alternate positions in the class.
• May: Matriculation