Admissions

Step 1: Review the admissions requirements

The program utilizes a holistic admissions process. To be eligible to apply for the MPAS program, you need to meet the following requirements.

  • Completed all prerequisites with a maximum of one outstanding course at the time of your application. All prerequisite courses must be completed before starting the program.
    See all prerequisite courses
  • Completed—or will complete—your undergraduate bachelor's degree before your intended summer start date in the program.
  • Earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale*, which includes all undergraduate and graduate courses.
  • Earned an overall grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for all science courses*. For a list of all course subjects factored into the science GPA view CASPA’s course subject list.
  • All applicants must have acquired patient care experience. 

  • The purpose of accruing patient care experience is to ensure the applicant has adequate exposure to the health care system, patients, and the role of a physician assistant.
  • There is no requirement for the number of patient care hours an applicant must acquire.
  • Each applicant’s patient care experiences will be individually evaluated on the variety and quality of the experiences and the cumulative patient care hours obtained.
  • These hours may be paid, volunteer, or shadowing experiences.
  • All hours linked to patient care will be considered, and there is no pre-approval process for patient care experiences.
  • All patient care hours should be recorded in the CASPA application in the "Experiences" section.

* CASPA calculates applicant's cumulative and overall science grade point averages.

The most competitive applicants will likely be those that surpass the minimum academic requirements, have a clear understanding of the physician assistant profession, demonstrate professionalism, leadership, and community service, and support the vision, mission, and values set out by the program.

Step 2: Start your applications

Yes, applications is plural, meaning you have two applications to complete to be considered for the MPAS program. 

  1. You'll apply to the program using the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All application materials must be submitted in full and verified in CASPA before you are advanced in the admissions process. There are associated program designation fees required.
  2. The other application is submitted through the IU Centralized Application System (CAS). Submit your application, along with the required application fee. Applications are not reviewed until the application fee is paid.

CASPA applications must be submitted by August 1 for admission into the MPAS program the following summer.

Learn more about CASPA

The deadline to submit the IU application for admission is August 1. On the IU Graduate School webpage, select Summer for your intended starting year.

Start your IU CAS application

Step 3: Submit all supporting documents

All supporting documents, including the declaration of intent to complete degree requirements—if you haven't yet completed your bachelor’s degree—must be submitted through CASPA by the application deadline.

If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree at the time of application, you must complete the declaration of intent to complete the degree requirements form. This form requires a signature from an advisor or a school official and must be uploaded to CASPA. (Do not upload to IU CAS.)

Get the declaration of intent to complete degree requirements form

You will submit all your official academic transcript(s) through CASPA. (Transcripts should not be uploaded through the IU CAS.)

A personal statement and any written responses to supplemental essay prompts that support your application should be submitted through CASPA. (Do not upload to IU CAS.)

We require at least two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can be from former professors, supervisors, professionals, or anyone else who isn't a relative that can give an overall honest assessment of your abilities and character. All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through CASPA. (Do not upload to IU CAS.)

Record all patient care and shadowing experiences in the “Experiences” section in CASPA. There is no minimum number of hours required. However, the admissions committee recommends applicants provide detailed descriptions of their activities in this section as an important factor in the holistic admissions process. Other experiences listed in this section will be reviewed as well. (Do not upload to IU CAS.)

Final notes

  • A background screening will be required if you are accepted into the program.

  • Applicants who previously matriculated in any physician assistant program in the United States are not eligible for admissions into the IU MPAS program.

  • Due to the number of applicants, personal feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Questions about your application?

Contact the School of Health & Human Sciences at 317-274-7447 or shhsinfo@iupui.edu.