» Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?

PAs are licensed healthcare professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision (MD, DO). PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical care and services to diverse patient populations in both rural and urban settings. Their focus is on patient care, but their duties might also include, education, research, and administrative activities. 

How did the PA Profession begin?

In the mid-1960’s, physicians and educators recognized there was a shortage of primary care physicians. Dr. Eugene Stead of the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina selected four Navy corpsmen who had received considerable medical training during their military service and in Vietnam but who had no comparable civilian employment. In 1965 he put together the first physician assistant class and based the curriculum of the PA program in part on his knowledge of the fast-track training of doctors during World War II.

What type of jobs in medicine can PAs perform?

PAs work in all areas and subspecialties of medicine. These include, but are not limited to surgery, family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, orthopedics, psychiatry, dermatology, and medical subspecialties. PAs also work in areas such as higher education, government, military, administration, and research.

How long is the program?

The program is a 24-month, full-time, year-round educational experience: 12 months didactic and 12 months of clinical. There is time off between each of the trimesters in both the didactic and clinical phases. 

How many students are accepted each application cycle? 

We admit a cohort of 50 students every year. 

Can I work or continue to work while enrolled in the program?

PA Program faculty strongly recommend against outside employment while enrolled in the program. The program will not employ PA students or prospective PA students. Outside employment during any part of the program may affect student success and ability to progress. Students who are involved in, or commence, volunteer or paid work during their PA education, cannot use their affiliation with the program in any aspect of that job. Work outside the program is undertaken by the student, independent of the program, is not covered by the liability offered for clinical work associated with the educational experience and students may not represent themselves as Chapman University PA students.

What degree will I earn upon the successful completion of the program?

Students who complete all requirements of the program will receive a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MMSPAS).

When does your program start? 

Our program begins every January. 

Do you offer Scholarships or Financial Aid? 

The Chapman University PA Studies Program is pleased to be able to award several merit-based scholarships to incoming students who have demonstrated excellence in the following areas: Academics, Community Service, Leadership, and Research.

Information on Financial Aid and how to apply can be found here: Graduate Financial Aid

Simon Scholar PA Scholarship Program

The new Simon Scholar PA Scholarship Program creates pathways for underserved Orange and San Diego County students facing adversity by offering full-tuition scholarships. This scholarship provides eligible students who wish to earn their Master in Medical Science degree (MMS) at the Chapman University Physician Assistant Program. Learn more about the Simon Scholar PA Scholarship Program here.

If I am unable to start the program with the cohort to which I am admitted, can I defer my acceptance to another year?

We are not able to offer deferrals. Applicants who cannot start the program with the cohort to which they were admitted may reapply in a subsequent season.

Do I have to find my own clinical rotation sites?

No, a student is not required to set up or obtain their own clinical rotation sites. 

I received passing AP credit in high school for one of the required prerequisite courses. Will you accept my AP credit? 

Certain AP classes can be applied to prerequisite coursework if your undergraduate institution has awarded you credit for your AP exam scores. The credit must be reflected on your undergraduate transcript showing the number of units assigned and the type of credit given. If your undergraduate institution does not include those details on the transcript, an official transfer credit evaluation/AP audit is required. 

We accept AP credit for Pre-Calculus or Calculus, Introduction to Statistics, General Psychology, English Composition, and Introduction to Sociology requirements. For applicants who have received undergraduate credit for general biology and/or general chemistry prerequisite courses via AP coursework, we will allow the substitution of upper-division courses with labs within the respective department(s). However, those courses cannot be used to meet other prerequisite requirements.

What should I do if my overall or science GPA is below 3.2?

We recommend that you take additional courses to boost your GPA to meet the minimum before you apply. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

Does Chapman’s PA program accept transfer credit from previous coursework completed in graduate professional programs, such as PA or Medical schools, in order to receive advanced placement within the program? 

No, we do not accept transfer credit from previous coursework completed in graduate professional programs like PA or Medical schools, in order to receive advanced placement within the program. All students must complete the program in full. 

Does Chapman’s PA program accept international bachelor’s degrees? 

Yes, we accept students who have earned their bachelor’s degree outside of the U.S. All Foreign Academic records must be translated to English and certified by University Language Services and submitted to CASPA. If foreign transcripts are in English applicants still need to submit the foreign transcript to CASPA and also have them evaluated by one of the following services: World Education Services(WES), International Education Research Foundation (IERF), and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please note that all prerequisite courses must be completed at a U.S. institution.

All foreign coursework and degrees must be evaluated for North American equivalencies with calculated GPAs on a 4.0 scale by one of these services and submitted to CASPA.  We will only recognize the degree, course credentials, and GPA that they have evaluated.

Does the program give preference to any major?

No specific major is required or preferred, but strong candidates have demonstrated ability in the sciences.

Does the program give preference for prerequisites completed at 4-year universities over community college?

No, prerequisites can be completed at any regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

How and when do I apply to your program?

All applications must go through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), which typically opens in April every year. We do not accept applications or application materials sent directly to the college. We do not require a supplemental application in addition to CASPA. We recommend that applicants apply as soon as possible after the CASPA application opens in April. Additionally, we recommend that applicants ensure that their application is Complete and Verified in a timely manner. The earlier an application is Verified in CASPA, the sooner that application can be reviewed for a potential invitation to interview. Our program does not accept transfer students into the program. We require a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and an overall science GPA of 3.2. CASPA calculates those GPAs through its internal system of transcript evaluations.

All science prerequisites must be completed, and the grade needs to be reflected on your transcript at the time of submission; otherwise, your application will be flagged as “does not meet minimum requirements.” Non-science courses can be “in progress,” but they must be completed by the time of matriculation, and priority will be given to applicants with all prerequisites completed. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

When are application decisions made?

Application decisions are made on a rolling admissions model. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible after the CASPA application opens in April. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

If I get denied, can I reapply for the next cycle?

Yes, if you meet the minimum requirements, we would encourage you to boost your application and materials and resubmit an application through CASPA for the next application cycle.

Am I guaranteed an interview or “seat” in the program if I meet all the admission criteria?

Interviews and "seats" in the program are limited. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee either an interview or a "seat" in the program. The program will admit the most qualified candidates based on admission requirements, in-person interviews, and overall application profiles. 

Does shadowing count toward the required 1,000 hours of Patient Care Experience?

While shadowing a Physician Assistant is recommended and strongly encouraged so that you may have an understanding of the role of a PA, it is not sufficient when it comes to the Patient Care Experience requirement of 1000 hours. You also must acquire direct hands-on patient care experience. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

Are PA shadowing hours a required part of the application?

No. However, observational/shadowing hours are strongly encouraged and will be taken into consideration in determining whether or not you will receive an interview and potential admission into the program. Shadowing a PA will provide the student applicant with valuable patient contact in various sub-specialties of medicine. We want to be assured that you understand the role of a PA as part of the healthcare team.

Is a GRE score required for admission into the Chapman PA Studies Program?

Yes. The GRE must be completed within the last 5 years from the application deadline. A combination of the highest scores from separate sittings of the GRE exam will be accepted. No minimum score is required. Chapman University’s CASPA code is 3681. A department code is not needed. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

Do you accept the MCAT or other standardized tests in place of the GRE?

No. We cannot accept any other standardized tests in place of the GRE. The GRE is a required component of the program’s application and must be completed prior to application submission.

Is there an expiration date for prerequisite courses?

We do not require that prerequisite courses are taken within a certain time period. However, if you did not take those courses recently, we would recommend that you take a "refresher" course to ensure your knowledge base remains sufficient in preparation for PA school. 

Do you accept prerequisites taken in an online or hybrid format?

The program has made an exception and will be accepting online/hybrid prerequisite science labs and lectures taken between January 2020 and December 2021. Any science prerequisites, with the exception of Genetics, taken after December 2021 must be completed in person. Non-science prerequisites can be completed in an online or hybrid format. 

What is the Bridge Program?

The Bridge Program guarantees highly qualified Health Science majors at Chapman University the opportunity to interview for acceptance into Chapman's PA Studies program, contingent upon satisfactory completion of the Bridge Program Criteria.

Who should apply to the Bridge Program?

Only Chapman University students who major in Health Sciences and meet the eligibility requirements should apply.

Am I required to shadow a PA prior to applying to the Bridge Program?

No, but shadowing hours are strongly recommended to bolster your application. All observational hours are to be arranged by the student; the Bridge and PA Studies programs will not arrange or recommend observational sites.

Am I guaranteed a seat in the graduate PA Studies Program upon successful completion of the Bridge Program?

No, you are not guaranteed a spot in the PAS Program. Upon successful completion of the Bridge program, you will only be guaranteed an interview for the Chapman PA Studies Program.

If I am a Health Sciences graduate from Chapman University, can I still apply through the Bridge Program?

Yes, as long as all PA admission requirements and Bridge Program criteria are met.