Physician Assistant Studies

How to Apply

All applicants must submit a formal application and supporting documents through CASPA.

The application open annually in April. Due to the provisional accreditation timeline, all applications must be verified by September 1, 2026.

About CASPA

CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) is a service of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the only national organization representing PA educational programs since 2001. CASPA simplifies the PA school application process by allowing you to apply to multiple programs with one application.

Apply online.

Secondary Application Fee

 Payment must be completed through the payment portal after submitting the CASPA Application. Applicants should retain a copy of the payment receipt for their records should the program be unable to confirm payment at the time of verification.

The SHSU MPAS Program will not refund Secondary Application fees due to CASPA-related issues (e.g., non-verification, late-verification, and non-completion), or any expenses incurred during the application and/or interview process, regardless of accreditation status.

The SHSU MPAS Program embraces a comprehensive admissions approach that thoughtfully evaluates each applicant's life experiences, professional attributes, and academic accomplishments. Admission is highly competitive. Meeting some or all requirements does not guarantee admission. Applicants must satisfy both the minimum and prerequisite coursework requirements.  Prerequisites must be completed prior to August 1st.

Application Submission

Applicants must submit a formal application and all supporting documents to CASPA.

Quantitative Applicant Review

All applications undergo a structured initial review to ensure completeness and confirm all required materials have been received. The admissions team evaluates whether applicants meet minimum requirements, including prerequisite coursework and GPA. Each application is then assessed holistically using a predefined screening rubric.

Qualitative Faculty Review

Screened applications are reviewed by program faculty, who evaluate all narrative components and score them using a predefined rubric. The qualitative score from this review is combined with the applicant's previous screening score to determine their overall ranking and eligibility for an interview recommendation.

Admission Chair Review

The Admissions Committee Chair then compiles a ranked list of applicants to receive interview invitations. Candidates selected for an interview will receive an email invitation with an interview date and RSVP information. RSVPs must be received by the posted deadline.

Candidates selected for an interview will be invited to the new Health Professions Building for an in-person experience combining a format of Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) and traditional individual interview formats. During this process, invited candidates will meet with members of the Admissions Committee who will assess a range of professional attributes essential to success in the PA profession:

• Emotional and academic maturity
• Empathy and compassion
• Motivation for the profession
• Effective communication skills
• Critical thinking ability
• Knowledge of the PA role within the healthcare system
• Clear understanding of the program's mission and goals
• Potential for lasting career fulfillment as a practicing physician assistant

Interviews will be conducted in person from March through May 2026. Each portion of the interview will be scored individually by trained personnel using a predefined rubric.

Pre-interview quantitative and qualitative scores are combined with interview day scores for a cumulative applicant score. The Admissions Chair meets with the admission committee to determine final applicant selections.

The Chair/Program Director has final approval of all recommended candidates and any admissions process changes.

Admits

Applicants will be notified of admission decisions once ARC-PA has made its determination of provisional status.

Official Notification

While applicants will be kept informed of their progress during the admissions process, official notification of acceptance will be withheld until the ARC-PA issues its determination of provisional accreditation.

Accepting an Offer

If you receive an offer of admission, you must complete the offer attestation process by the deadline indicated in your admission letter. Failure to respond will result in forfeiture of the admissions offer. Deferrals of admission will not be granted for any reason. Candidates who receive an offer and decline due to deferral may reapply in future cycles without priority consideration.

Minimum Requirements

• CASPA application with official transcripts submitted by September 1 deadline at 11:59 PM ET
• Secondary Application Fee submitted once the application is verified
• Evidence of U.S. Citizenship, permanent U.S. residence, or current DACA recipient and/or undocumented status
• International applicants must comply with all Sam Houston State University requirements for international graduate students
• Bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent, prior to matriculation
• Completed prerequisite coursework by August 1^st
• Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of ≥3.0
• Minimum cumulative science GPA of ≥3.0
• Three letters of recommendation by September 1 deadline at 11:59 PM ET

Prerequisite Coursework

• Completed with a letter or numerical grade August 1^st
• Grades of Pass (P) for 2020–2021 coursework will be accepted
• No grades of pass or credit will be accepted for science courses
• Minimum 15 SCH must be completed within the last 10 years
• Science courses must be intended for science majors
• International degrees must be evaluated by WES or equivalent by Sam Houston State University
• AP/IB/CLEP and concurrent enrollment coursework documented on official transcript accepted
• Community college and online/distance courses from regionally accredited institutions accepted

* Biology I & II may be replaced with advanced biology coursework, subject to program approval. A combined Human A&P series with lab (two semesters / 8 semester credit hours) can fulfill the A&P I and II prerequisites.

In addition to academic and professional achievements, the following factors are considered during the review of all applications:

• Highest degree attained (beyond bachelor's degree)
• Course success, completion, and academic rigor, including overall GPA, science GPA, last 60 hours GPA, and prerequisite GPA
• Healthcare professional licensure or certification
• Effective communication, professionalism, and emotional intelligence
• A clear and compelling motivation to become a physician assistant
• Resilient self-reflection and a growth mindset
• Health-related and/or direct patient care experience
• Academic strengths in science and healthcare related coursework
• Leadership service experience
• Community engagement, particularly in underserved areas
• Economically or educationally disadvantaged background and/or regional history of East Texas residency
• Military service or veteran status
• First Generation College Student status
• Letters of reference and personal statement

The MPAS Program requires that all students be able to meet the program's Technical Standards for admission, progression, and graduation. These standards outline the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities necessary to complete the program and enter PA practice. 

View MPAS Technical Standards