Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Admissions to a PA program is highly competitive. Accepted students often exceed the minimum requirements. Those not meeting the minimum requirements will not be considered for admission to the Mercy College of Ohio PA program.

Admissions are completed on a rolling basis.

Potential candidates will be reviewed and scored by the admissions committee based on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• An applicant must be a US citizen or US legal permanent resident to qualify for admission to the program.
• Obtain a 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.
• Prerequisite coursework with a course grade of C or better will be considered. Applicants with pending prerequisite coursework will be considered, but acceptance into the program will be conditional upon completing all required coursework satisfactorily prior to matriculation. Official transcripts must be requested by the applicant to be sent directly to Mercy College of Ohio upon completion of a baccalaureate degree and/or completion of pending coursework.
  • 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 that meets prerequisite criteria for biochemistry (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
  • One semester of microbiology (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
  • 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 following organic chemistry (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
• Advanced Placement (AP) coursework will not be accepted for pre-requisite coursework.
• Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are acceptable.
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recognized that applicants may have science coursework (including prerequisites) that are pass/fail. Although it is strongly encouraged that applicants complete a course and earn a letter grade, pass/fail coursework will be considered for classes completed only during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note pass/fail coursework does not factor into science GPA or prerequisite GPA calculations.
• No advanced placement or standing will be awarded for coursework completed at a prior PA program. The Mercy College of Ohio PA program curriculum is specifically sequenced so each semester provides an educational foundation upon which the following semesters will build.
• Submit a CASPA application online.
  • Applicants are encouraged to submit their application to CASPA as early as possible given the rolling basis of admissions.
  • There is no supplemental application or application fee.
• Letters of recommendation: Minimum of two (2) 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. Letters from family members or friends do not qualify as professional references.
• GRE General test taken within the last 5 years
  • The PA CASPA GRE code is 4751. Mercy College of Ohio must be chosen 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 Master's or Doctoral degrees.
• Technical Standards must be met at time of matriculation and throughout the duration of the program.
• Clinical Requirements must be met at time of matriculation and throughout the duration of the program.
• Academic Misconduct, Healthcare Program Dismissal or Professional Misconduct can have a negative impact on a candidate’s application.

Competitive Thresholds

• Cumulative (Overall) GPA of 3.0
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 with no course grade lower than C
• GRE General test scores
  • Combined verbal/quantitative score over 300
  • Quantitative over 150
  • Analytical Writing GRE result of 3.5 or above

Admission Preferences

• Preference for upper level prerequisite courses:
  • Microbiology
  • (Human) Anatomy and Physiology
  • Biochemistry
• Preference for other relevant upper level science coursework earning a C or better.
• For equally qualified candidates, preference is given to applicants that have had the greatest Patient Care Experience (in hours) per the CASPA application.

Admissions Cycle General Schedule

• April: The CASPA (Central Application System for Physician Assistants) application cycle opens for applicants who wish to matriculate into the program in May of the following year.
• All application materials must be received by CASPA by December 1.
• May-December: The Admissions Committee will review and score completed applications on an ongoing basis in the order in which they are verified and completed.

Interviews and Offers of Admission

• On a rolling basis, qualified candidates will be invited for an interview based upon application screening.
• Invitations to complete the Acuity Insights Assessment will be extended to candidates eligible to interview. The Acuity Insights Assessment is used to further review and score an applicant.
• Candidates are required to participate in an on-site interview occurring typically between July-January to be considered for admission.
• Prior to the interview, candidates must attend a virtual information session, and they must submit signed Technical Standards and Pre-Disclosure forms.
• Offers are extended to competitive candidates based upon open seats.
  • Upon receiving an offer of admission, candidates must:
    • Accept the position and conditions of acceptance
    • Pay the initial $750 non-refundable tuition deposit within 14 days
    • The second $500 non-refundable tuition deposit is due 14 days after the initial deposit to fully secure a seat in the cohort.
  • 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 seats that remain open and alternate positions in the class (Candidate wait-list). The initial and second deposit due dates are accelerated based on proximity to the matriculation date.
• May: Matriculation

Direct Entry Admissions Requirements

• Undergraduate Pre-PA Direct Entry Admission Requirements