Admission Criteria

Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

The minimum admissions criteria for this program are:

STEP 1

  • Fill out an online application to the UTRGV Graduate College. *The UTRGV online application for Fall 2017 will open in mid-April.

STEP 2 

  • Submit payment for your UTRGV Graduate College application at the payment site. This will be a separate account from your UTRGV Graduate College application and requires that you create a new account.

STEP 3  

  • Online application to the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) https://caspa.liaisoncas.com
  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent.
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Minimum of 15 U.S. Semester hours completed within the past 5 years (starting in the 2016 application cycle).
  • The following items are required and can be submitted through CASPA:
    • Official transcripts from each institution attended.
    • Personal statement.
    • Three letters of reference from professional or academic sources.
    • Documentation of volunteer/community service and health care experience
    • GRE will be required starting with the April 2016 to October 1, 2016 application submission cycle. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years, unless the graduate program has indicated otherwise. GRE test code for UTRGV is 6570.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite coursework (a GPA of 3.0 or better will be more competitive):
    • General Biology I and General Biology II
    • Genetics
    • Anatomy & Physiology I, and Anatomy & Physiology II
    • Microbiology
    • General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
    • Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
    • General Psychology or Abnormal Psychology
    • Statistics
  • Applicants must submit both a CASPA application and UTRGV Graduate College applications by the deadline for consideration.

Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:

  • TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS, if English is not your native language. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. 
  • English translation of educational records.
  • Transcript Evaluation by World Education Services (WES).

Additional requirements for international applicants:

  • TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
  • Minimum of 15 U.S. Semester hours completed within the past 5 years (starting in the 2016 application cycle).
  • English translation of educational records.
  • Transcript Evaluation by World Education Services (WES)
  • Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds (minimum of $25,000) to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study.  
  • Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport. 

Document Submission Procedures:

You must submit your required documents including transcripts to CASPA. The Graduate College staff will retrieve your documents from CASPA including: transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, and completion of prerequisite coursework.

NOTE: Students who are admitted to the PA program will be required to have official transcripts sent to UTRGV after notification of admission which usually occurs in Mid-Spring.

*Effective for the April 2016 to October 1, 2016 application submission cycle, only WES will be accepted.

Deadlines:

Fall
Domestic
International		 September 1st
September 1st

Additional information for Master in Physician Assistant Studies.

Master in Physician Assistant Studies Bridge Program (MPAS)

Apply to the UTRGV Graduate College:

Step #1: Fill out an online application to the UTRGV Graduate College. *The UTRGV online application for Fall 2017 will open in mid-April. The University application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check. All application fees are nonrefundable.

Step #2: Register on the UTRGV Recommenders and Document Upload Webpage (www.utrgv.edu/gradupload). This is where you will request recommenders and upload program requirement documents, and where the graduate office will upload your transcripts. If you do not complete this step, we will not be able to process your application..

Step #3: Request your transcripts and other supporting documentation to be mailed to:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999

Review and submit all Program Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent.
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
  • Current license to practice as a PA.
  • Current NCCPA certification.
  • Be employed as a PA (for clinical hours participation).
  • Must have medical malpractice insurance.
  • Letter of reference from their supervising physician agreeing to precept the PA.

Deadlines:

Fall
Domestic
International		 September 1st
September 1st

Additional information for Master in Physician Assistant Studies Bridge Program