Master of Physician Assistant California

Admissions Process:

1. The West Coast University (WCU) Masters of Physician Assistant (MPA) program follows a rolling admissions process where applications are reviewed and selected for interviews throughout the application cycle.

2. The application cycle opens in late April, when the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) opens, and ends on the date listed in CASPA.

3. Individuals apply to WCU MPA program via CASPA.

4. The West Coast University Center for Graduate Studies Admissions Office reviews all applications and forwards completed and qualified applications to the MPA CA admissions committee for review.

   • In some cases, applicants may be denied an interview if they do not meet the university’s admissions requirement of approved state of residency or if they do not meet program admissions requirements. Please contact admissions for more information.

5. Invited candidates attend a virtual interview with the WCU MPA program via a secure Zoom platform. The interview day is composed of the following:

1. Opening session with the Program Director

• Welcoming candidates, virtual tour of campus, review of program curriculum, introduction of faculty.

2. Interview

• Includes group and multiple mini interviews (MMIs), hosted by WCU PA program faculty as well as a writing station.

3. Closing session with faculty

• Time for questions and answers with the current faculty and students.

6. Admissions decisions are made shortly after interviews are completed.

• Following the interview, program faculty meet to discuss all candidates and make admissions decisions based on admission selection factor listed on the website

• The program will offer admissions to candidates on a rolling basis such that more admissions seats will be available toward the beginning of the admissions cycle and fewer towards the end of the cycle.

7. Admission decisions include:

1. Accepted

2. Rejected

3. Alternate list

• Alternate list applicants are ranked based on admissions selection factors. Throughout the remainder of the cycle, applicants may be moved to accepted based on cohort size and availability.

A student applying for admission to the WCU PA program must:

1. Submit a completed application for admission to WCU and through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

2. Submit official transcripts for all previous higher education through CASPA.

3. Participate in a virtual admissions interview.

4. Meet all requirements by the application deadline.

5.  Meet all program specific admissions requirements.

6. Complete the enrollment agreement if accepted to the program.

PA Program specific application requirements:

1. Obtain a baccalaureate degree from an Institutional Accreditation college or university by November 1st prior to matriculation.

2. Complete all aspects of the CASPA application.

a. List all college coursework taken.

b. Complete the required personal statement and WCU program-specific questions.

c. Submit three letters of recommendation. These letters of recommendations must be able to provide feedback regarding your preparation for a profession in medicine including professionalism, work ethic, moral character, and academic preparation.

• At least one letter of recommendation is required to come from a medical provider (MDs, DOs, PAs, etc.).

• Other letters may also come from: professors, supervisors/employers, and mentors.

• Letters must not come from personal contacts such as family members, neighbors, personal medical providers, or religious leaders.

3. Meet the Technical Standards for admissions as follows:

a. Candidates must be able to observe and participate in demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.

b. Candidates must have sufficient use of the sensory, vision, hearing, motor, and somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination and complete point-of-care techniques.

c. Candidates must be able to perform examination activities such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, opening of obstructed airways, CPR, and the movements, equilibrium, and functional use of sense of touch and vision.

d. Candidates must be able to learn to acknowledge evaluation and respond with precise, quick, and appropriate action in emergency situations.

e. Candidates must have the interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with accuracy, clarity, efficiency, and sensitivity.

f. Candidates must have the skills to be able to analyze and synthesize information, solve problems, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.

g. Candidates must possess the interpersonal skills to develop rapport and positive relationships with patients.

h. Candidates must possess basic technology and digital literacy.

i. Candidates are expected to possess perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the PA Program curriculum. Candidates therefore must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, which may involve standing for prolonged periods of time. They must also be able to function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical setting with patients.

4. Pre-admission academic standards:

a. Have obtained a baccalaureate degree from a Institutional Accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and a Biology/Chemistry/Physics (BCP) grade point average of 3.0 or better.

b. A minimum number of healthcare experience hours are not required for admittance into the program. However, it is to an applicant’s best interest to pursue at minimum 500 hours (completed in the US) or more to be a competitive candidate. All completed healthcare experience must be listed in the “Health Related Experience” or “Patient Care Experience” sections of the CASPA application to be included within the application.

c. Prerequisite science courses must all meet the minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. Non-science major/introductory courses are not accepted.

d. Must earn a “B-” or better in all prerequisite courses.

e. Baccalaureate degree and all prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation.

f. Advanced-placement (AP) courses will only be accepted for Statistics and Psychology. For all other prerequisite courses, AP credit, transfer-of-credit, pass/no credit, CLEP or credit for experiential learning will not be accepted.

5. Applicants for the MPA program must have completed all prerequisite coursework from a recognized institutional accredited college or university by the US Department of Education in the United States.

Per ARC-PA standards A3.12, Preference will be given for:

• Strong GPAs (greater than 3.5)

• Strong academic rigor (no course repeats, withdrawals, or incompletes; heavy work load of 12+ hours per semester)

• Understanding the role of a PA (healthcare experience hours of at least 500 hours, medical provider shadowing)

• Strong written communication skills

International Applicants

Applicants for the Master of Physician Assistant-CA program must have completed prerequisite coursework at an accredited institution in the United States, including coursework completed via distance education. The MPA program does not accept foreign degrees or prerequisite coursework from foreign institutions..

The University reserves the right to deny admission to applicants who do not meet the admissions and application requirements. Applicant acceptance is limited by based on class size availability. The denial of admissions is final and may not be appealed.

Disclaimer: The MPA CA and MPA TX Programs are separate and therefore have separate program specific admissions policies, requirements, and procedures.

Required Prerequisite Courses (must be completed within the past 10 years with a grade of B- or better):

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (6 semester credits). This course may be completed as a combination course or taken separately.

2. General Chemistry I and II with lab (6 semester credits)

3. Microbiology with lab (3 semester credits)

4. Human Genetics (3 semester credits)

5. Organic Chemistry with lab (3 semester credits)

6. Biochemistry (3 semester credits)

7. Statistics (3 semester credits)

The Master of Physician Assistant-California program does not allow transfer credit.

Advanced Placement Policy

Advanced placement is defined as a waiver of required professional coursework in the MPA program, and it will not be granted under any circumstance. All students who enter the program must fulfill all program requirements. All courses within the curriculum are required. No transfer credit is accepted. No credit is granted for pre-admission experiential learning, prior coursework, degrees, certifications, or advanced training.

To become a certified PA (PA-C), graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), In addition, graduates must obtain state medical/physician assistant board licensure/registration. Licensure requirements vary from state to state.
A PA may not begin working as a Physician Assistant in most states until successfully passing the PANCE and obtaining state licensure/registration. There may be exceptions for state licensures or federal employment, such as the military. Failure to complete all necessary steps may constitute practicing medicine without a medical license. Upon graduation, students are responsible for ensuring certification and licensure/registration in their state of residence. West Coast University is not responsible for registration or licensing; the student is solely responsible for all such requirements and verifying proper authorizations to practice medicine have been obtained.

Students have 7 core  supervised clinical practice experiences.  All 7 are required, though the order of these are determined by the program faculty and are not lock step.  Students are also required to complete 2 out of the 3 elective clinical rotations.  Each clinical practice experience is 5 weeks in duration and 52 hours a week. 

1. Obtain background clearance

2. Undergo a drug screening.* 

3. Strict adherence to Standard Precautions and Student Incident, Injury, and Exposure Reporting Plan. 

4. Submit documentation of immunizations, vaccinations, tuberculosis clearance.* 

5. Provide and maintain current Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.* 

6. Expect the hours and days to vary depending on the academic schedule.

7. Expect the schedule to be final and non-negotiable. If a student refuses a clinical assignment, the student will be dismissed from the program.

*Information regarding these requirements is provided during the application process and at the program orientation.

Applicants are conditionally accepted to the Master of Physician Assistant program until a non-refundable $250.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit has been submitted. The Seat Deposit is not a separate charge but will be credited to the program costs should the student not cancel their enrollment. The University will retain the full amount of this deposit should the student cancel their enrollment at any time, for any reason. Seat Deposits may be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to West Coast University. A Seat Deposit will be collected for each enrollment and cannot be applied to or carried over to enrollments for other programs or start terms. At their discretion, the Executive Director may refund the full Seat Deposit for unusual or unexpected circumstances that would warrant a full refund.