MPAS Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program include:

• Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or individual with refugee status in Canada.
• Completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree from an institution recognized by the University of Calgary. 
• Minimum GPA of 3.20 (on the University of Calgary four-point system) calculated over the most recent 60 units completed; this is based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units.
• English Language Proficiency. 

         For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language: 

              a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 105 (with no section less than 20), or 

              a minimum IELTS Academic version overall band score of 7.5 (with no individual band less than 6.0), or 

              a CAEL overall score of 70 (with no section less than 70), or 

              a minimum PTE academic version score of 75, or 

              Duolingo with score of 145 (with no sub-score below 125), or 

              Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency with a score of 200, or 

              This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course. 

• Prior client-facing health care experience. This may include direct hands-on patient care experience in a clinical setting, clinical placements in healthcare education programs, or volunteer experience.  Applicants will be required to list the number of hours, location of experience, and role, as well as provide a verifier name and phone number.

• Provision of two professional referees who can complete a brief reference form in support of the applicant:

  Both referees must be individuals who have directly supervised, managed, or overseen the applicant in a professional setting. Please note that a professional/organizational email address is required for each reference.

  At least one of these referees must specifically be someone who has supervised or managed the applicant during one of their healthcare experiences (HCEs).

  Examples of acceptable references include current or previous employers, direct supervisors, clinical preceptors, volunteer coordinators, academic advisors, etc.

• A personal essay (500 words maximum) indicating what skills and attributes the applicant possesses to succeed in the program, and how the applicant sees their future role as a Physician Assistant.

Applicants must also meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies Admissions Requirements.

The MPAS program office cannot confirm if an applicant’s client-facing health care experience is appropriate either prior to or during the application process.
 

Please note that meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program. All applicants with complete applications will be ranked according to evidence from reference letters, personal essays, experiences described in the application, Casper score, and GPA.