Overview
The Physician Assistant (PA) program curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to cultivate not only clinical expertise but also a deep commitment to ethical, compassionate care. Our program’s competencies and curriculum are designed to shape future practitioners who are dedicated to delivering responsible and equitable health outcomes - always with compassion, humility, and joy. Through a rigorous yet supportive learning environment, students are prepared to become skilled, empathetic healthcare professionals who prioritize the well-being of their patients while upholding the highest standards of ethical practice. Explore how our curriculum equips you to make a meaningful difference in the world!
Minimum admission requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in the U.S. with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA
- Minimum science GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA
- Minimum of 400 hours of healthcare experience including patient care
- Accepted Experience: athletic trainer, certified nursing assistant (CNA or GNA), chiropractor, dental assistant, emergency medical technician, imaging technologist, medical assistant, medical research, medical technologist, mental health worker, military medic, nurse (RN, LPN), occupational therapy assistant, paramedic, pharmacy technician (depending on patient contact and medication management), phlebotomist, physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, respiratory therapist, scribe (in a clinical setting with patient facing exposure)
- Not Accepted Experience: lifeguard, medical records, personal caregiver, pharmacy technician (depending on patient contact and medication management), recreational aide, shadowing, sitter, transport, unit secretary
- Two (2) letters of recommendation including one (1) from a Physician Assistant or other healthcare clinician
- Personal Statement
- Minimum B- in the following pre-requisite courses:
- Human Anatomy with lab (minimum 4 credits)
- Other acceptable courses include: Anatomy and Physiology I with lab - the course must be human-based
- Human Physiology with lab (minimum 4 credits)
- Other acceptable courses include: Anatomy and Physiology II with lab - the course must be human-based
- Microbiology with lab (minimum 4 credits)
- Two (2) additional biology courses (minimum 6 credits)
- Examples of acceptable courses include: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, General Biology, Introduction to Biology, Genetics, Embryology, Histology, Immunology, Organismal Biology, Pathology, Pathophysiology, Zoology
- Organic Chemistry with lab (minimum 4 credits)
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- Bio-organic Chemistry is NOT accepted
- Two (2) additional chemistry courses (minimum 6 credits)
- Examples of acceptable courses include: General Chemistry, Introduction to Chemistry, Organic Chemistry II, Physical Chemistry
- One (1) Psychology course (minimum 3 credits)
- Examples of acceptable courses include: General Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology
- One (1) Statistics course (minimum 3 credits)
- Examples of acceptable courses include: Research Methods and Statistics, Applied Statistics, Introduction to Statistics, Statistics and Probability
- One (1) Medical Terminology course (minimum 1 credit)
- Must be at the community college level or above
Admission Preferences
Optional, competitive factors include:
- Local candidates
- Tier 1: Frederick County, Maryland residents and those within a 30-mile radius of the university
- Tier 2: Maryland residents
- Tier 3: North Central Appalachia residents
- First generation scholar
- Multilingual
- Mount St. Mary’s University Alumni/Graduates
- Military service (veteran, active, or reserves)
- Higher science GPA
- Alignment of personal statement, letters of recommendation, description of healthcare experience, and interview with program-defined attributes that include: adaptability, collaboration, cultural humility, effective communication, empathy and compassion, equity, grit, integrity, leadership, maturity, patient-centered care, resilience, respect, responsibility, and self-reflection and improvement
Additionally, Mount St. Mary’s University graduates/alumni who meet minimum admissions requirements are guaranteed an interview.
Advanced Placement
At this time, the Mount St. Mary’s University Physician Assistant Program does not offer any form of advanced placement.
Language Requirements
The PA program is presented in English (spoken and written). Students must be proficient in the English language. Applicants whose native language or language of the home is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and earn a minimum overall TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based test) or 250 (computer-based test). The school code is 5421.
For more information on how to apply see:
https://msmary.edu/academics/graduate-school/master-of-medical-science-physician-assistant/admissions.html
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