MPAP/MSCR Requirements

Successful candidates earn both a Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP) degree and a Master of Clinical Research (MSCR) degree. Applicants submit the necessary documentation to both programs simultaneously. September 1 is the annual deadline for applications. 

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States
  • GPA: Required minimum overall and/or last 60 credit hours >3.2
  • GPA: Prerequisites recommended >3.4
  • Recommended GRE >300 within 5 years of application.
    • Verbal >150 
    • Quantitative >150 
    • Analytical > 4.0
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation
    • Preference is given to applicants with two of three letters from physicians, physician assistants, clinical supervisors, and others familiar with your clinical experience
    • One academic recommendation is acceptable
    • Personal recommendations are discouraged
  • Personal statement describing your reasons for pursuing the dual MPAP/MSCR degree is required as part of the supplemental application submission

Prerequisites

  • Academic: All courses must be completed by December 31 of the year prior to entry into the MSCR program and completed at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The MPAP program does not accept transfer credit from other MPAP programs. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better.

Courses

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) with labs (two semesters of A&P courses with labs, or a one semester anatomy course with lab and a one semester physiology course)
  • One semester each:
    • General biology (for science majors)
    • Microbiology with lab
    • General chemistry with lab
    • Organic chemistry or Biochemistry
    • Statistics or Biostatistics
    • Psychology
    • Genetics (recommended)
    • For classes requiring a lab, online labs will not be accepted (must be seated)

Patient care experience

  • At least 1,000 hours of direct patient-care experience must be completed at the time of submitting application.
  • Examples of direct patient care experience:
    • Athletic Trainer
    • Certified Nurse Assistant
    • ER/Medical Technician
    • Medical Assistant
    • Medical Scribe
    • Military Medic
    • Nurse
    • Phlebotomist
    • Physical Therapist
    • Physical Therapy Assistant
    • Respiratory Therapist
    • Surgical Tech
  • Hours earned from pharmacy technician, veterinarian technician, or laboratory technician experiences can be used as supplemental hours in addition to the 1,000 hours of direct hands-on patient care experience.
  • Hours obtained for course credit during educational training will not count toward the required 1,000 hours.
  • Recommended 20 hours of experience “shadowing” a Physician Assistant.