Postbaccalaureate MPAS (24-month)
Physician Assistant Studies
Manchester and Worcester
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline?
October 1st of the year prior to the January of entry is the date when completed applications from CASPA and the supplemental application and fee must be received at the MCPHS campus of choice. MCPHS encourages early application and processes applications on a rolling basis.
For those applicants wishing to apply early for the next January entry (i.e., apply during 2008-2009 cycle for entry in 2010) an option for doing so is offered through March 1st of the current application cycle. Applicants who choose this option must have their application at CASPA complete by March 1st or they will lose the entire application when the cycle closes in March and be forced to reapply and submit new credentials when the new cycle opens in April.
Is there an application in addition to CASPA?
Yes, the Manchester, N.H./Worcester, Mass. programs require submission of a supplemental application and fee in order for an application to be complete.
Do I have to complete all the prerequisite courses before I can apply?
No, you may have courses in progress or planned coursework. The admission committee prefers applicants to have no more than two missing courses upon file review.
Are prerequisite courses waived if I have a college degree?
No, a bachelor’s degree is required for entry into this master’s level program and all prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the program.
Are admission tests required?
The only required test is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for applicants whose native language is not English. There is a limit of two years on such tests.
The GRE, GMAT or other graduate program testing is not required.
I have completed some of the courses in the curriculum. Can I jump ahead in the program?
No, there is no advanced standing awarded and students begin and end the program as a cohort group.
I took a combination survey course in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. Does this meet your requirement?
No, one course cannot meet two requirements and, in general, survey courses do not meet the prerequisite requirements. Two separate courses (lab required for Organic Chemistry) are needed.
I took a General Chemistry course but didn’t take the lab. Do I need it?
Yes, the lab component is required for the prerequisites courses as indicated on our chart of prerequisite courses.
I have a medical degree from another country. Am I granted an automatic interview and entry into the program?
No, regardless of one's background and previous education, all applicants are required to submit completed applications and credentials to CASPA, the online application service used for PA applicants by MCPHS. There is no guarantee of interview or acceptance based solely on a previous medical degree. Please note that all foreign credentials must be evaluated by one of the following foreign credential evaluation services: The Center for Educational Documentation, Inc. (CED) (617) 338-7171 or on the Web at www.cedevaluations.com; Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) (414) 289-3400 or on the Web at www.ece.org; or, World Education Services (WES) (212) 966-6311 or on the Web at www.wes.org.
How many applications are received for this program?
During the most recent application cycle more than 300 applications were received for 40 seats at the Manchester, N.H. campus and 24 seats at the Worcester, Mass. campus.What is the average GPA of the applicants?
The mid 50% overall GPA range for the most recent incoming class was 3.25-3.59.
When should I apply?
Our program begins in January, so early application is strongly encouraged. CASPA opens its new application cycle each spring (usually in April) and the deadline for a complete application to reach MCPHS is October 1st of the year prior to program entry.
What is rolling admission?
Rolling admission is processing of completed application packets on a first come, first serve basis. The sooner one applies, the sooner the process is underway and the sooner an admission decision can be made.
Is an interview needed?
Yes, an on-campus interview is required as part of the admission process although every applicant is not invited to campus for an interview. A final admission decision is made once the interview process is completed.
Do I have to job shadow a PA?
While job shadowing a practicing physician assistant is not required, the admission committee wishes to encourage applicants to engage in this activity if possible. We look for a minimum of 50 hours of shadowing one or more PAs and for this information to be included on the CASPA application under “Health Care Experience.” Shadowing will familiarize you with the day-to-day responsibilities of a PA and provide you with a greater understanding of the profession about which you should be able to expound during an on-campus interview.
What is “direct patient care?”
Previous medical experience is not required but is looked at favorably by the admission committee. That said, the best type of medical experience is direct patient care. Such experience entails hands-on care of patients as in positions such as nurse, nurse aide, EMT/Paramedic, PT, PTA, OT, OTA. In general, positions which have patient contact but are not considered as caring directly for the patient may include phlebotomist, medical technologist, transportation aide, dietary aide, etc. Nurse aide training and subsequent employment providing patient care is a good and acceptable way to obtain direct patient care experience.
I am not earning my degree until spring. Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, you may apply for the entry period following your graduation. Please refer to the application instructions on this website for details.
The Manchester, N.H. campus does not offer on-campus housing. There is assistance with information on area rentals, which is provided at the time of tuition deposit.
The Worcester, Mass. campus offers limited space in its on-campus dormitory, which features apartment-style living. Open rooms are scarce, however, and students are advised to seek alternative living arrangements. Worcester is a large college city offering a plethora of off-campus housing.
What does the admission committee look for in a competitive applicant?
The admission committee members look for overall academic excellence, particularly in the sciences, recent coursework, a passion for and clear understanding of the PA profession, as well as patient care experience and PA job shadowing hours (not required.)
What is the daily schedule like?
The PA Studies program is full-time and accelerated. Students are expected to be on time for class and are often found on campus after classes studying and working in groups. One semester daily schedule example features a late start on Mondays (10-7) full-days (8-5) Tuesday-Thursday and a half day on Friday.
Once I am accepted and begin the program, can I transfer to another campus or program? No, you must stay at the campus and program of choice, although students may withdraw from one program and apply to another. Transfer from the Manchester/Worcester PA Studies program to the Boston PA Studies program is not possible because of the two different start dates and the differences in the way the programs are structured. It is advised to thoroughly research programs of choice to be certain you apply to the program(s) best suited to you.
What is distance education/video-conferencing?
The PA program at the Worcester, Mass. campus is a satellite of the Manchester, N.H. program. That means students enrolled at the Worcester campus receive their lecture-based courses via high tech video conferencing equipment in real-time. There are large video screens in classrooms on both campuses and the student tables are equipped with microphones for questions to the professor who is speaking from the Manchester campus. The system is highly interactive and has been proven to work well. Labs are conducted separately on each campus and there are faculty housed at each campus who supervise the classes.
Can I attend the PA program part-time?
No this program is full-time days for 24 consecutive months.
Can I apply to all the MCPHS PA programs?
Applicants may apply to the Boston, Mass. program and/or the Manchester, N.H./Worcester, Mass. program. Applicants applying to the Manchester/Worcester program may apply to attend only one campus and must choose the appropriate CASPA application. While it appears that MCPHS has three separate PA programs, there are really two: Boston and Manchester/Worcester (satellite of Manchester.)
Can I work while attending the program?
Due to the accelerated nature and intensity of this 24 month program, students are encouraged not to work at an outside job.
How are GPAs figured and what coursework is considered? Are repeated courses added into the GPA? Is there a time limit on coursework?
Both CASPA and MCPHS average all grades earned into the overall GPA. CASPA also figures GPAs in several academic areas, including science, in which MCPHS looks for at least a 2.75 average. MCPHS also figures a separate GPA for our particular prerequisite courses which should be at the 3.00 level. MCPHS offers a generous 10 year limit on prerequisite coursework.
Does MCPHS accept credits from on-line colleges or CLEP scores?
Yes, MCPHS accepts credits from any regionally accredited institution, including those that offer on-line courses. CLEP scores are accepted and minimum passing scores must be met.
What are the differences between the PA programs at MCPHS?
The PA Studies program at the urban-based Boston campus begins each fall and lasts 30 months. There are separate prerequisite requirements, clinical sites, faculty and differences in the curriculum from the Manchester/Worcester program. The Manchester/Worcester program offers an accelerated 24-month program and begins each January. Its rural focus and attention to underserved populations are hallmarks of the program. The students attending the Worcester campus receive their lecture based-courses via high-tech video conferencing equipment emanating from the Manchester campus.
What degree will I earn?
All PA Studies programs at MCPHS lead to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).
Are the programs accredited?
Yes, MCPHS is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and each of the two PA programs are fully accredited by the ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on the Education of Physician Assistants).
How can I learn more about the program?
Please contact the Manchester admission office at 603.314.1763 or the Worcester admission office at 508.373.5607. Interested parties are also encouraged to attend on-campus information sessions to learn more, tour campus and speak with current students.
Do I need certification in Basic Life Support before I start the PA program?
Current certification in Basic Life Support at the Healthcare Provider Level is required by the PA Studies program in order to move forward with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. Although not an admission requirement, it is helpful to have this certification prior to program entry as it may be difficult to work BLS training into one’s schedule during the first semester. American Heart Association certification is preferred.