Admissions

The Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program receives hundreds of applications every year, causing the selection process to be highly competitive for the 45 seats available in each class. The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically and selects applicants with above-average proficiency in academic history, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and medical experience/training to be considered for admission. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications when they have completed all the requirements for the HWCOM MPAS program. The program only reviews CASPA-verified submissions and does not receive documentation submitted after verification of the CASPA application. Applications are reviewed continuously until the cohort is filled.

Veterans and FIU students/alumni A3.13(a)

Favorable consideration for admission is given to applicants who are Veterans and/or have graduated or will be graduating from Florida International University. 

  • All veterans and Florida International University students/alumni who meet or exceed the program’s selection factors will be granted an interview and an opportunity to earn acceptance into the program.
  • All applicants should understand that acceptance into a physician assistant program is an extremely competitive process. An interview does not constitute or guarantee acceptance.
Experience in Areas of Health Care Need A3.13(a)

Additional preferences, such as, ranked higher, will be given to all applicants who have direct health care experience serving areas with health care need.

Advanced Placement Credit A3.13(c)

The program does not grant advanced placement credits to students for courses required within the MPAS curriculum. Advanced placement credits may be accepted for MPAS prerequisite courses.

Experiential Learning Credit A3.13(c)

The MPAS program does not grant credit for prior experiential learning (i.e., experience working in the field of physician assistant practice or related health care experience).

Transfer Credit A3.13(c)

The MPAS program does not accept transfer credit from other institutions of higher education for courses required within the MPAS curriculum. Transfer credits may be accepted for MPAS prerequisite courses.

MPAS Student Admission Statistics

Admissions Data

 

Class of 2023 
(n=45)

Class of 2024
(n=42)

Class of 2025
(n=45)

 

% of Students

% of Students

% of Students

Gender

 

 

 

Female

82.2%

85.7%

 82.2%

Male

17.8%

14.3%

 17.8%

Residency

 

 

 

Florida Resident

82.2%

88.1%

 97.8%

Non-Resident

17.8%

11.9%

 2.2%

Age

 

 

 

Age Range 20-24

68.9%

61.9%

 75.6%

Age Range 25-29

26.6%

33.3%

 20.0%

Age Range >30

4.5%

4.8%

 4.4%

Race/Ethnicity§

 

 

 

Underrepresented Minority**

 

 

71.1%

American Indian or Alaska Native

0.0%

0.0%

 0.0%

African-American/Black

6.7%

7.1%

 4.4%

Asian

8.9%

14.0%

 14.0%

Hispanic

55.6%

66.7%

 57.8%

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

0.0%

0.0%

 0.0%

White (Not Hispanic)

28.9%

23.8%

 24.4%

Academic Profile

 

 

 

First Generation in College

28.9%

23.8%

 26.7%

FIU Undergraduates

51.1%

28.6%

 46.7%

 

Average

Average

 

Age

 

 

 

Cohort Age

24

24

 23

Academic Profile

 

 

 

Overall GPA

3.62

3.64

 3.68

Science GPA

3.56

3.57

 3.61

GRE Verbal

153

149

 150

GRE Quantitative

152

149

 150

GRE Writing

4

4

 4

§ Students may self-identify in more than one category.

FIU MPAS Deferral Policy

  1. Accepted applicants may request a deferral of their matriculation to a future year’s entering class if:
    • Their written request, which fully describes the reason for the deferral, is accepted by the Admissions Committee.  The written request should be accompanied by official documentation of the activity for which the deferral is requested.
    • The requesting student must additionally agree in writing to the following requirements:
      • The deferment will be for 1 year only and there will be no extensions.
      • The student must commit to MPAS and withdraw from all other schools to which they may have been accepted and may not apply to other physician assistant schools during the deferred period. Students who choose to apply to another physician assistant school will be withdrawn from MPAS.
      • The student must submit a letter to MPAS between February 1st and April 30th of the year in which the deferred matriculation commences committing to enter MPAS in August of the deferred matriculation year.
      • The student will submit an official document verifying the activity or transcript for educational training received during the deferral year by April 30th of the matriculation year.
      • The student will appear either in person or via electronic means if out of the country (Zoom, FaceTime) for a brief interview by April 30th of the deferred matriculation year by one or more members of the MPAS Admissions Committee.
      • The student complies with all admissions requirements for the deferred matriculation year including, but not limited to, criminal background checks, drug testing, and all pre-matriculation health requirements.
      • The student agrees to disclose any felonies or misdemeanors that have occurred between the time of the initial MPAS Application and the time of matriculation.