Your journey to becoming a Mount St. Mary’s University PA student starts here. Here's all you need to know, including application deadlines, prerequisites, and the applicant selection process.
The Mount St. Mary's University Physician Assistant program evaluates all candidates through a holistic admissions process.
**All prerequisite courses must be completed in the U.S. within 10 years of the application deadline.
Optional, competitive factors include:
Additionally, Mount St. Mary's University graduates/alumni who meet minimum admissions requirements are guaranteed an interview.
At this time, the Mount St. Mary's University Physician Assistant Program does not offer any form of advanced placement.
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.
At this time, the Mount St. Mary's University PA program is only accepting students who are residents of the United States. All prerequisite coursework must be completed in the United States.
Candidates will apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Please note the CASPA application must be marked complete in CASPA by August 1st to be considered by the admissions committee. "Complete" status is achieved when the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters are received by CASPA by the posted deadline.
We are committed to selecting the most qualified applicants who not only meet our minimum requirements but also embody the values and attributes central to our mission. Candidates selected for an interview will be chosen based on our admission preferences and their application's alignment with our program-defined attributes, which include:
Interview invitations will be sent to selected applicants. Interviews occur annually in the fall. In-person interview days will consist of faculty one-on-one interviews, multiple mini interviews (MMIs), a team-building exercise, and a writing sample. During the interview process, we will further evaluate each candidate for alignment with our program-defined attributes.
All accepted candidates will receive a formal acceptance letter. Candidates who accept admission into the program will need to return their signed letter of acceptance along with a non-refundable deposit of $900 to reserve their seat in the program within two weeks from the date of their acceptance letter. Instructions for payment will also be included in the acceptance letter. Deposits will be applied toward tuition. Learn more about tuition and fees.
If an applicant accepts a position at another program, we request the applicant notify the Mount St. Mary's University PA program so that another candidate may be offered a seat in the cohort.
Applicants who are offered a seat in the program will be required to complete additional requirements prior to enrollment.
The program will provide candidates with detailed instructions on how to complete required elements.
Accepted applicants are required to submit to a criminal background check and urine drug screen prior to enrollment into the program. Applicants will be required to register for their background check and drug screen using the program-approved vendor. Applicants are financially responsible for all aspects of the background check and drug screen. The program reserves the right to decline or retract admittance to the program for any activity revealed in this screening that may interfere with training or licensing as a healthcare professional.
All applicants will be required to obtain and maintain health insurance throughout the duration of the program. The health insurance policy must include coverage for needlesticks and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
All students must complete a Permission to Release Information Form allowing required information for clinical rotations to be shared with clinical partners.
All applicants will be required to have a physical exam completed within 12-months of matriculation. Students will need to have a physical exam completed annually throughout the duration of the program.
QuantiFERON-TB Gold blood testing OR 2-step PPD (given 1-3 weeks apart) resulted within 12 months before matriculation is required. If positive, student must submit chest x-ray results. For applicants who have a positive tuberculosis screening test, ability to matriculate will need to be determined in conjunction with their healthcare provider.
Immunizations must be given at intervals approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Immunization requirements are subject to change at any time in accordance with current CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our patients, students, faculty, and staff, and to protect the public.
Accepted applicants are required to prove the following prior to enrollment:
| Immunization | Required Proof of Immunization |
|---|---|
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) | Two (2) doses of MMR vaccine OR titer showing immunity. If titer does not show immunity, MMR series must be repeated.* |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) | Single dose Tdap or Tdap booster required within the last 10 years and must be current through date of graduation. |
| Hepatitis B | Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B vaccine OR titer showing immunity. If titer does not show immunity, Hepatitis B series must be repeated.* |
| Varicella | Two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine OR titer showing immunity. If titer does not show immunity, Varicella series must be repeated.* |
| Influenza | Students are required to receive annual influenza immunization throughout the duration of the program. |
| COVID-19 | Immunization status must meet up-to-date CDC criteria. |
| Meningococcal | One dose of MenACWY or MenABCWY vaccine on or after the 16th birthday. |
| *Students needing to repeat their immunization series must provide the Program with dates of scheduled doses and frequent check-ins to confirm progress. Students must be up-to-date with immunizations to participate in clinical activities. |
The Technical Standards outline the minimum, nonacademic physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum and for entry into the physician assistant profession.
Meeting the Technical Standards is a prerequisite for enrollment to, and successful completion of, the Mount St. Mary’s University Physician Assistant (PA) program. These Technical Standards were created in consideration of the fact that PA students will work with patients during the program and after their graduation. The Technical Standards are based on the AAPA Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession and Physician Assistants (29-1071.00) performance guidelines of the Occupational Information Network, U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
In accordance with Mount St. Mary’s University policy, and as delineated by Federal and Maryland law, the PA program does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment based upon an individual's disability. The PA program will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities but will not make changes that fundamentally alter the PA program. Students with disabilities must be able to satisfy the Technical Standards with reasonable accommodations, and without modifications that fundamentally alter the PA program.
Applicants will be required to submit a Technical Standards attestation for enrollment to, continuation during, and graduation from the Mount St. Mary's University Physician Assistant program. The student is responsible for contacting Learning Services to request accommodation as soon as possible after determining accommodation is needed.
The Physician Assistant student must possess and maintain the following abilities:
The deadline is August 1st. All application components must be submitted and marked ‘Complete’ in CASPA by that date. "Complete" status is achieved when the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters are received by CASPA by the posted deadline.The application to the Mount's PA Program is available through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
No. All application components must be submitted and marked 'Complete' in CASPA by the application deadline. "Complete" status is achieved when the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters are received by CASPA by the posted deadline.
The Mount’s FAFSA code is 002086.
Pass/Fail courses are not accepted.
Online classes are accepted as long as they meet the prerequisite requirements and were taken within 10 years of the application deadline.
Online labs will only be accepted if they were completed before 9/1/2022. Any labs completed after this date must have been completed in person.
No, the PA program does not accept prior coursework, advanced placement, or transfer credits in place of the PA program curriculum.
All prerequisite coursework must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline.
Yes. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) and be determined equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
No, the Mount does not require a standardized test for admission.
If you are unsure if a class would qualify for a prerequisite course, email the following information to paadmissions@msmary.edu:
School name
Course code
Course description
Syllabus (if you have one)
If you are unsure if your experience will count, job/duty descriptions can be emailed to paadmissions@msmary.edu for review, along with any certifications/training programs completed.
Yes, part of our student government’s focus will be on community service outreach. Additionally, students participate in community projects as part of the program curriculum.
Students will experience a wide variety of rotations in the program, including:
Yes, we will try to accommodate student’s desired locations and interests when arranging elective rotations.
Yes, biochemistry can be used as either an additional biology course or an additional chemistry course.
No, you can go ahead and begin your application. Once you’ve completed all of your requirements, you can send official transcripts to paadmissions@msmary.edu.
Students will utilize our new facility (simulation lab and skills lab) to learn and practice clinical skills and techniques.
The Mount's PA Program stood out to me early in my application process. Throughout the admissions process, I saw how much the program genuinely valued my background, experiences, and values. Every faculty member took the time to listen, guide, and encourage me, and I appreciated their support. The program's commitment to service, community, and equitable care reflected the very values that drew me to the PA profession.
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Mount St. Mary's University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Mount St. Mary's University.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.