Physician Assistant Programs in Canada

McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program

• Average acceptance rate: 2%
• Class size: 24-40
• Minimum GPA required: 3.0
• Admissions Page



Program Overview

Located in Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster University is one of the most popular universities of Ontario and home to one of the 6 PA programs in Canada. McMaster University offers a Physician Assistant Education Program. How long is PA school? This PA Education Program is a two-year course of study delivered over 24 months, usually beginning in September. The first twelve months of study consist of clinical science courses, and the following year is more focused on clinical training. Upon successful completion of the two years of full-time study, students graduate with a Bachelor of Health Sciences Physician Assistant (BHScPA), ready to take their licensing exams and become providers. Students should expect to pay up to $12 500 per year in tuition fees.

McMaster only admits only 24-40 students per year, but they receive over 1200 applications, the highest number of applications of any other PA school in Canada. It is, therefore, not surprising to hear that the school has an average acceptance rate of around 2%. For context, this acceptance rate is even lower than that of the McMaster medical school, which is one of the most competitive medical schools in Ontario. 

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the McMaster PA program, you need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You will need the following: 

• Minimum 2 years of undergraduate university 
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale
• There are no specific course or background requirements, and work and/or volunteer experience is not required

All applications to the program must be submitted through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) system. Applicants must complete the OUAC form 105 and submit their GPA, and transcripts by the deadline. Applicants who meet the admission requirements will then be invited to complete the McMaster PA Supplemental Application through Kira Talent. Access to this application will be provided to applicants in mid to late February, and they will have one week to complete it in one sitting. The supplemental application includes written components such as PA supplemental essays, although students may choose to submit a timed video. It is also worth noting that McMaster's PA program does not consider any letters of recommendation as part of its admissions process. 

The final step in the admissions process for this PA program is a multiple mini interview. Typically, only 60-80 candidates are invited for these interviews. Considering the highly competitive nature of this PA program, this is your best chance to impress the committee and convince them that you are the best candidate for their program. 

Check out this infographic to learn how to write a strong PA personal statement:

PA Consortium (the University of Toronto, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, The Michener Institute for Education at UHN)

• Average acceptance rate: 5%
• Class size: 30
• Minimum GPA required: 3.0
• Admissions Page

Program Overview

The Physician Assistant Consortium is the second Bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant studies offered in Canada. Students attend classes on the University of Toronto campus in Ontario, but this Physician Assistant program is offered by the University of Toronto, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the Michener Institute. The general structure of this program is quite similar to that of McMaster University's PA program. Students are expected to complete two years of full-time study, and they receive a Bachelor of Sciences Physician Assistant Degree (BScPA) upon completion. This program costs about $11 500 per year in tuition fees.

However, the PA Consortium offers distance and distributed education program (online) classes for the first year of PA School, making it the only hybrid online PA program in Canada. The only exception is the "residential blocks", which take place throughout the year and require students to attend in-person classes on campus in Toronto. The second year of PA School consists of clinical rotations in different areas of medicine in Northern and Southern Ontario.

Admission Requirements

The PA Consortium is also relatively more selective than McMasters. To be eligible, students must fulfill the following admission requirements: 

• Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada 
• Have completed a minimum of 10 full-year courses or 4 semesters of undergrad study ( must be completed with grades before the application deadline)
• Minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA calculated on the OMSAS scale
• Minimum 100 hours of health care experience hours ( Reduced from 910 hours due to COVID-19)
• Applicant Reference Form completed by one referee
• No pre-requisite course requirements, but a course in Human Anatomy and/or Human Physiology is recommended

It is worth noting that this Physician Assistant program gives preference to in-province candidates and those who have recent (within the past five years) hands-on experience in a clinical setting. This is not to say that if you are an out-of-province applicant, you won't get in because if your application is strong enough, you definitely can. However, applicants who reside in Ontario have a competitive advantage. 

As with the other Canadian universities in the province, students must submit their initial application by the deadline through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) system. They will then be given the opportunity to complete the supplemental application, which includes a written section with short answers and mini-essay questions on health care experience. Once the applications have been reviewed, competitive applicants will be contacted for PA interviews. This PA program uses a virtual version of the MMI, and students typically receive invitations for these approximately two weeks before the actual interview. Therefore, we suggest you start to prepare for your MMI as soon as you submit your OUAC application to be well prepared. 

University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

• Average acceptance rate: 8.3%
• Class size: 15
• Minimum GPA requirement: 3.5
• Admissions Page

Program Overview

Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the University of Manitoba is the only school in Western Canada to offer a Physician Assistant program. It is a full-time program that requires two years of full-time study. Unlike the other two programs we have seen so far, it is not a bachelor's degree but a Master's of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS). Students attend classes within the University of Manitoba medical school campus close to the Health Sciences Centre, which is ideal since the program's curriculum combines classroom learning with clinical rotation over two years. 

The school uses a horizontally integrated spiral curriculum, which focuses on building foundations in anatomy, physiology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry to build a strong foundation in medicine. The program then builds upon the core courses in addition to clinical experiences. PA students revisit the material in increasing complexity throughout the curriculum to reinforce previous learning.

Admission Requirements

The University of Manitoba PA program only accepts 15 students per year. However, they also receive the smallest number of applications - an average of 180 applications per year, so the average acceptance rate for this program is higher than McMaster and U of T at 8.3%. To be considered for admission, students must meet the following requirements: 

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent residents 
• Have a four-year Bachelor's degree in any area of study (e.g., Bachelor of Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, RN, etc.)
• A cumulative GPA is 3.5 out of 4.5 on the Manitoba GPA Scale
• 3 Credit hours in Human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, with a grade of B or better
• No required clinical or work experience hours in health care 

Unlike the schools in Ontario, universities in Manitoba don't use a centralized application system. Students must apply to the University of Manitoba directly by the hard deadline of January 15. Students will have to fill out the supplementary application, which has more components than the other Physician Assistant programs in Canada. Not only do students have to complete the CASPer test, but they also need to submit their Pre-PA resume, two letters of recommendation, a statement of intent ( 1000 words), and a self-declaration statement confirming that they have no criminal record. 

By late February, the University of Manitoba invites competitive applicants for an interview. The school uses both the Panel interview format and the MMI. We recommend preparing for both formats so that you are not caught off guard. Remember that contrary to popular belief, the CASPer test and MMI are highly coachable, so you can actually prepare for these situational judgment tests and improve your chances of getting into the University of Manitoba's PA program. If you're not sure how to do so, you may want to enroll in a CASPer test prep course or reach out to an academic advisor.

Not sure how to prepare for a CASPer test? This video can help:

Dalhousie University Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

• Average acceptance rate: 8.5%

• Class size: 24

• Minimum GPA requirement: 3.3

• Admissions Page

Program Overview

Dalhousie University's MPAS program is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is known for its commitment to training PAs who serve diverse communities across Canada. The program spans over 24 months, integrating didactic coursework with extensive clinical rotations to ensure graduates are well-prepared for a variety of healthcare settings.

The curriculum employs a systems-based approach, emphasizing the integration of clinical skills with foundational medical knowledge in areas such as anatomy, pharmacology, and pathology. Dalhousie's program also places a strong emphasis on interprofessional education, allowing PA students to collaborate with other health professions to enhance their learning experience.

Admission Requirements

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• Hold a four-year Bachelor’s degree in any field

• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale

• Complete PA prerequisite courses in human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry with a grade of B or higher

• Provide proof of relevant healthcare experience (minimum 500 hours)

Applicants must apply directly to Dalhousie University by the deadline of December 1. Required application materials include the CASPer test results, a personal statement, a detailed resume, two reference letters, and proof of no criminal record. Competitive candidates are invited to an interview process, which includes both MMI and traditional panel interviews. Preparing for these interviews is crucial, and prospective students are encouraged to utilize available resources such as CASPer prep courses and academic advising.

University of Calgary Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

• Average acceptance rate: 10%
• Class size: 20
• Minimum GPA requirement: 3.0
• Admissions Page

Program Overview

Located in Calgary, Alberta, the University of Calgary offers an MPAS program designed to develop PAs who are equipped to meet the healthcare needs of diverse populations. The program's duration is 24 months, with a curriculum that combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical training.

The curriculum at the University of Calgary focuses on a patient-centered approach, with courses in clinical medicine, ethics, and evidence-based practice. The program emphasizes rural and underserved communities, preparing students to work in various medical environments.

Admission Requirements

• Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Prerequisite courses in human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology with at least a B grade
• Documented healthcare experience (minimum 1,000 hours)

Applicants must submit their application directly to the University of Calgary by January 15. The application package includes CASPer test results, a comprehensive resume, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a criminal record check. Selected applicants are invited to participate in an interview process involving both MMI and traditional panel interviews. To excel in these interviews, candidates should consider preparatory resources such as CASPer prep courses and interview coaching.

University of Saskatchewan Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) – Coming Soon

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is set to launch its Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, further expanding the opportunities for aspiring Physician Assistants in Canada. Although specific details regarding the program's acceptance rate, class size, and minimum GPA requirement are not yet available, the program aims to offer a comprehensive and rigorous education for future PAs.

Admission Requirements

• Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Competitive GPA (specific minimum GPA to be confirmed)
• Prerequisite courses likely to include human anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry
• Relevant healthcare experience (specific hours to be confirmed)

The application process for the USask PA program will involve submitting an online application directly to the university. Prospective students will likely need to provide additional materials such as a resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and results from the CASPer test.

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting 

Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results.

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