Master of Science Physician Assistant
Admission application process
Thank you for your interest in the CSUMB Master of Science Physician Assistant program. You will find information below to guide you through the admissions requirements and the processes for applying, interviewing, and accepting admission. Please note that admission to the MSPA program is competitive and limited to 33 new students per year.
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Applicants will not be considered for an interview if they do not meet all of the minimum prerequisites.
The MSPA Program at CSUMB utilizes the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) to process applications.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application and supporting documents are submitted directly to CASPA and verified by the deadline. Application materials sent directly to the program will not be accepted.
Applications will not be considered if all materials have not been submitted and verified by the deadline.
Supporting documents include:
- Original transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
- 2 letters of reference
Each application will be carefully reviewed, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to an in-person interview. Interviews are conducted online using Zoom. Interviews will assess knowledge of the PA profession, the applicant’s communication/interpersonal skills, professionalism, leadership potential, personal attributes and program fit.
If invited, applicants must participate in the interview to be considered for acceptance to the program.
Due to the nature of the interviews, we are unable to accommodate other forms of distance communication.
All applicants invited to interview will be instructed to submit additional copies of all official transcripts directly to CSUMB prior to the interview date.
Applicants must meet Cal State Graduate admissions requirements to be considered for acceptance to the program.
The selection process for the PA Program at CSUMB is highly selective and based on a number of criteria. After the in-person interview, the Admission Committee, comprised of principal faculty, will review each interviewee’s application, letters of recommendation and interview. Candidates will be selected based on a holistic review that takes each of the following categories into consideration:
- Personal Interview
- Mission factors considered:
- Interest and experience in rural health, underserved populations, and/or primary care
- Military medical background; disadvantaged designation on CASPA; tricounty residents
- CASPA Cumulative GPA
- CASPA Pre-Requisite GPA
- Patient care experience
- PA Shadowing experience
- Community service
- Letters of reference
- Personal statement
Applicants will be notified by email of their selection status (conditionally selected, alternate or denied).
Alternate and selected applicants will be required to complete a Cal State Apply Graduate application. Please note that there is a non-refundable $100 application fee.
All selected students are considered to be conditionally selected until they are accepted through the Cal State Apply system, pass the background check, and complete all health clearances.
Alternate applicants may be admitted to the program through December.
No additional application materials will be considered after the date of the interview.
Selected applicants must accept a seat by following detailed instructions including submitting required documentation and paying the Enrollment Confirmation fee by the dates indicated in the offer letter.
CSUMB is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or any factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.
The CSUMB MSPA program does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment on the basis of any factor outlined above or prohibited under applicable law. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university activities and in the use of facilities without such discrimination.
CSUMB complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity laws and regulations, and follows the principles outlined above in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Transparency to all applicants regarding selection criteria and prerequisites is important to both the integrity and expectations of our program.
ARC-PA Accreditation Status
At its September 2021 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the California State University, Monterey Bay Physician Assistant Program sponsored by California State University, Monterey Bay on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2023.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/
accreditation-history- .california-state-university- monterey-bay/