{"id":116,"date":"2025-04-08T23:57:38","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T23:57:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/?page_id=116"},"modified":"2025-04-09T00:41:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T00:41:38","slug":"program-overviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/program-overviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Program Overviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

Understanding Physician Assistant Programs Across Canada<\/h2>

Welcome! This page provides a high-level overview and summary points regarding the accredited Physician Assistant (PA) programs currently offered in Canada. Understanding each program’s unique focus and specific admission requirements is crucial.<\/p>

All accredited programs allow graduates to write the PACCC Exam. Once successful in the PACCC, you receive the title of Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) and can practice anywhere in Canada. <\/p>

IMPORTANT: The application requirements for all schools change constantly. Always check the official program websites for precise definitions, calculation methods, and requirements in each category.<\/span><\/p><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

Consortium of PA Education<\/h2>

Bachelor of Physician Assistant (BScPA)<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5>

At least 10 full-year undergraduate courses (or equivalent) completed with grades<\/span> before the application deadline<\/p><\/div>

GPA Guideline<\/h5>

Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 OMSAS scale (using all completed undergrad studies)<\/p><\/div>

Prerequisites<\/h5>

No required courses, but preference may be given for 1 full course equivalent each in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology (university level)<\/p><\/div>

Healthcare Experience<\/h5>

Minimum of 350 hours required (various forms accepted; preference noted for recent, direct patient care, paid roles)<\/p><\/div>

Supplementals<\/h5>

Requires a Supplementary Application (includes essays) and one Applicant Reference Form. Uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Application via OUAC<\/p><\/div>

Official Admissions Link<\/h5> Official Page<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

McMaster University<\/h2>

Bachelor of Physician Assistant (BScPA)<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5>

At least 2 years of undergraduate university study (10 full courses\/20 half courses)<\/p><\/div>

GPA Guideline<\/h5>

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 OMSAS scale required for consideration; competitive GPA is typically much higher<\/p><\/div>

Prerequisites<\/h5>

No specific prerequisite.<\/p><\/div>

Healthcare Experience<\/h5>

Work and\/or volunteer experience is not required.<\/p><\/div>

Supplementals<\/h5>

Requires completion of a Supplementary Application (potentially via Kira Talent) and uses online Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Application via OUAC.<\/p><\/div>

Official Admissions Link<\/h5> Official Page<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

University of Manitoba<\/h2>

Masterof Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5>

Requires a completed 4-year Bachelor’s degree (can apply in final year).<\/p><\/div>

GPA Guideline<\/h5>

Minimum GPA of 3.0 (Manitoba scale) in the last 60 credit hours; competitive GPA is typically 3.5 or higher.<\/p><\/div>

Prerequisites<\/h5>

Requires specific undergraduate courses (min 3 credit hours each, minimum grade may apply – check official site) in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Biochemistry. Microbiology and Psychology are assets.<\/p><\/div>

Healthcare Experience<\/h5>

Work and\/or volunteer experience is not required but an asset. <\/p><\/div>

Supplementals<\/h5>

Requires the CASPer test (TakeAltus). Also requires a Statement of Intent, CV, and 2 Letters of Recommendation<\/p><\/div>

Official Admissions Link<\/h5> Official Page<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

University of Saskatchewan<\/h2>

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5>

Requires a completed 4-year Bachelor’s degree (can apply in final year).<\/p><\/div>

GPA Guideline<\/h5>

cumulative weighted average of Minimum of 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g., 60 credit units).<\/p><\/div>

Prerequisites<\/h5>

Completion of 3 credit units in each of the following areas, with a minimum grade of 75%:
\nIndigenous Studies, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology. 
\nAdditional coursework in the following areas is highly recommended, but not required: biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, psychology, statistics<\/p><\/div>

Healthcare Experience<\/h5>

Work and\/or volunteer experience is not required but an asset.<\/p><\/div>

Supplementals<\/h5>

Supplemental written and video assessment. Multiple Mini Interviews conducted by diverse panel. <\/p><\/div>

Official Admissions Link<\/h5> Official Page<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

Dalhousie University<\/h2>

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5>

Completed 4-year undergraduate degree (90-120 credits).<\/p><\/div>

GPA Guideline<\/h5>

Min. 3.0 (4.0 scale) or ‘B’ average in last 60 credit hours.<\/p><\/div>

Prerequisites<\/h5>

Requires<\/span> undergraduate Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, Human Physiology.<\/p><\/div>

Healthcare Experience<\/h5>

Work and\/or volunteer experience is not required.<\/p><\/div>

Supplementals<\/h5>

CASPer, Short-Answer Questionnaire\/Supplemental and MMI<\/p><\/div>

Official Admissions Link<\/h5> Official Page<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

University of Calgary<\/h2>

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5>

Completed 4-year Bachelor’s degree (can apply in final year).<\/p><\/div>

GPA Guideline<\/h5>

Min. 3.20 (UCalgary 4.0 scale) based on last 2 years \/ 60 units<\/p><\/div>

Prerequisites<\/h5>

Requires<\/span> Human Anatomy (3 units) & Human Physiology (3 units) with min grade ‘B’\/3.0. Also requires completion of an Indigenous Education Requirement before program start (check official site for options).<\/p><\/div>

Healthcare Experience<\/h5>

Work and\/or volunteer experience is not required.<\/p><\/div>

Supplementals<\/h5>

Requires CASPer test. Requires Personal Statement (500 words), 2 References. Uses online interviews.<\/p><\/div>

Minimum Education<\/h5> Official Page<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Understanding Physician Assistant Programs Across Canada Welcome! This page provides a high-level overview and summary points regarding the accredited Physician Assistant (PA) programs currently offered in Canada. Understanding each program’s unique focus and specific admission requirements is crucial. All accredited programs allow graduates to write the PACCC Exam. Once successful in the PACCC, you receive…
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"pro\/page-templates\/full-width-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-116","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":132,"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/116\/revisions\/132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacareer.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}