Dalhousie University's Master of Physician Assistant Studies is a full-time, two-year program in Halifax. Admission requires a four-year undergraduate degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA calculated from the last 60 credit hours, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and Biochemistry prerequisites, and Casper. Applicants must meet Canadian citizenship or permanent-residence and Maritime-residency rules. Selection also includes supplementary answers and an MMI.
- Program
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Credential
- MPAS
- Location
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- December 13, 2026 (Section 1 application deadline, 11:59 PM EST)
- Interview
- Multiple mini interview (MMI)
- Seats
- 24 per cohort
- Length
- 24 months
Casper Requirement for Dalhousie University Physician Assistant
Dalhousie University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- 9-digit Dalhousie online application ID
- Other Acuity assessments
- Casper Snapshot (not required)
Upcoming Casper test dates
- October 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM ADT
- October 6, 2026 at 9:00 PM ADT
- October 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM ADT
- October 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM ADT
- October 14, 2026 at 9:00 PM ADT
- October 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM ADT
- November 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM AST
- November 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM AST
- December 1, 2026 at 9:00 PM AST
- January 7, 2027 at 9:00 PM AST
- January 21, 2027 at 9:00 PM AST
- February 18, 2027 at 9:00 PM AST
Test dates can change: confirm availability in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
The application ID is generated after you start Section 1. Take Casper in the same application cycle; scores from previous cycles cannot be reused. A government-issued photo ID is also needed to register.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Dalhousie University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Dalhousie online application portal (Sections 1 and 2)
- Applications open
- November 9, 2026
- Application fee
- $115, payable before Section 1 is processed
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Section 1 application deadline, 11:59 PM EST | December 13, 2026upcoming |
| Section 2 application deadline, excluding reference letters, 11:59 PM EST | January 17, 2027upcoming |
| Reference letters deadline | April 1, 2027upcoming |
Section 2 opens after Section 1 is submitted. Pay the application fee before Section 1 can be processed.
Dalhousie University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
- Seats / class size: 24 per cohort
- Seat allocation: 20 seats prioritized for Nova Scotia residents; three allocated to New Brunswick and one to Prince Edward Island. Unfilled Nova Scotia-priority seats may be considered for other Maritime applicants.
A 3.7 GPA is considered competitive based on previous admission cycles; this is not a class average.
Eligibility Requirements for Dalhousie University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
A four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized, accredited university, with 90-120 earned credit hours shown on its transcript; graduate degrees are also accepted, but undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required.
- Residency
Applicants must qualify as residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island; applicants outside the Maritimes are not considered, subject to the published substantial-connection review process.
- Citizenship
Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident with valid, unexpired status by the application deadline; international students are ineligible.
- Language proficiency
Applicants who speak English as an additional language must demonstrate proficiency unless granted a qualifying waiver.
Maritime residency may be established through specified schooling or permanent-address criteria. Applicants with other substantial Maritime connections may provide a 250-word explanation in Section 1 for case-by-case review.
Other requirements
- Reference letters: Two letters are required. Reference-type options depend on time since degree completion; electronic referees must use university, teaching-hospital or government email addresses.
- Non-Canadian academic records: A WES course-by-course assessment is required for a degree from an accredited university outside Canada by the Section 2 deadline; it may also be required for exchange-course grades.
Selection Factors Dalhousie University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | Required University-level; minimum 3 credit hours. Complete by the Section 2 deadline and within 10 years of the application year; split or combined anatomy/physiology courses may require both parts. |
| Human Physiology | Required University-level; minimum 3 credit hours. Complete by the Section 2 deadline and within 10 years of the application year; split or combined anatomy/physiology courses may require both parts. |
| Biochemistry | Required University-level; minimum 3 credit hours. Complete by the Section 2 deadline and within 10 years of the application year. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Last 60 credit hours on a 4.0 scale; up to 15 graduate credit hours may count. Pass/fail grades cannot count, and grades for all three prerequisites must be included.
- Minimum
- 3.0 (B average)
- Competitive
- 3.7, considered competitive based on previous admission cycles
While 3.0 qualifies you to apply, you elevate your profile by achieving strong performance in upper-level courses, particularly those demonstrating analytical and scientific reasoning skills. Focus on recent academic performance.
Admissions tests
- English language proficiency (required for some applicants): Accepted Faculty of Graduate Studies options include IELTS Academic 7, CAEL 70 with no band below 60, PTE Academic 65 with nothing below 54, and TOEFL iBT overall 4.5 on its 1-6 scale for tests taken from January 21, 2026.
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
Experience in medicine or healthcare is not required for admission.
Supplementary application
The application includes a short-answer questionnaire/supplemental component; two reference letters are required.
How applicants are ranked
Applicants must meet degree, GPA, prerequisite, residency, Casper and supplementary requirements. Non-academic assessment includes the short-answer questionnaire and multiple mini interview; the MPAS Admissions Committee determines final selection.
Interview Format at Dalhousie University
Format: Multiple mini interview (MMI)
Multiple mini interviews are part of selection and will be conducted on a dedicated virtual platform.
- Who is invited
- Interview invitations are sent by email.
- When
- Invitations in early March 2027; virtual interview day April 8, 2027.
Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.
Prepare for Casper and Your Interview
Access Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank with 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert-crafted responses, AI Interview Simulator with realistic practice conditions, and personalized mentorship from current medical students, all on one web-based platform.
Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Dalhousie University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 24 months
- Structure
Longitudinal curriculum with hands-on clinical experience and interprofessional training.
- Campuses
- Halifax
The program delivers medical education through clinical rotations across sites affiliated with Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, building competency in patient care. It emphasizes practical skills alongside graduate-level academics.
Campus and facilities
Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the program operates from Dalhousie University's Halifax campus at B3H 4R2, contactable at 1.902.494.2211. Facilities support interprofessional learning, with clinical affiliations providing exposure despite the program's new status.
Tuition and Funding at Dalhousie University
- Approximate annual tuition: $16,000 CAD, plus applicable graduate-student incidental fees
Annual MPAS tuition is approximately $16,000 plus incidental fees; consult the current fee schedule for the amount payable.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the longitudinal curriculum as emphasizing practical skills alongside graduate-level academics. Students report a collaborative environment, though some note concerns about post-graduation job networks given its recent launch. As a newer program, Dalhousie MPAS fosters a tight-knit cohort where students collaborate closely with faculty. The revamped admissions process enhances accessibility, allowing better faculty-applicant interactions. Program culture stresses interprofessional teamwork, preparing students for Canadian healthcare settings.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Dalhousie University Physician Assistant Application
- Check that you have a four-year undergraduate degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA calculated from the last 60 credit hours, and the required Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and Biochemistry courses.
- Register for Casper in the same application cycle and select an available sitting that fits your application plans.
- Start Section 1 to obtain your 9-digit Dalhousie online application ID for Casper registration.
- Practice Casper under timed conditions matching the typed-response window using Bright Doctor's web-based platform, aiming for 50+ scenarios to cover diverse ethical and interpersonal themes.
- For holistic strengthening, connect with current med students via mentorship to gain insights on demonstrating patient-centered competencies.
More About Dalhousie University Physician Assistant
- Program status
Relatively new program
- Postal code
B3H 4R2
- Phone
1.902.494.2211
Frequently Asked Questions About Dalhousie University Physician Assistant
Does Dalhousie University MPAS require Casper?
Yes, the English Casper test is required. Practice 50+ scenarios to prepare effectively.
What is the minimum GPA for Dalhousie MPAS admissions?
The minimum is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, calculated using the last 60 credit hours. Dalhousie considers 3.7 competitive based on previous cycles; it does not describe that figure as an average.
Are prerequisite courses needed for Dalhousie University Physician Assistant program?
Yes. Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and Biochemistry are required, alongside a four-year undergraduate degree.
What are Dalhousie MPAS Casper test dates?
Check the Casper test dates listed above and choose an available sitting in your application cycle. Scores from previous cycles cannot be reused.
Is Dalhousie University MPAS interview format specified?
Dalhousie uses a multiple mini interview conducted virtually; invitations are emailed to selected applicants.
How competitive is Dalhousie Master of Physician Assistant Studies?
The program has 24 seats per cohort. Dalhousie considers a 3.7 GPA competitive based on previous cycles and assesses Casper, supplementary answers and the MMI.
Can international students apply to Dalhousie MPAS?
No. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and meet the program's Maritime-residency criteria; international students are not eligible.
What ID is required for Dalhousie MPAS Casper distribution?
Use your 9-digit Dalhousie online application ID, generated after you start Section 1, when registering for Casper.
Sources
- medicine.dal.ca: PAStudies
- dal.ca: physician assistant studies mpas
- medicine.dal.ca: admissions
- canadianpa.ca: admissions
- blog.kiratalent.com: dalhousie mpas new ways reaching applicants
- hotcoursesabroad.com: program
- medicine.dal.ca: degree requirements
- medicine.dal.ca: class profile
- upgrad.com: physician assistant studies mpas 120431
- bemoacademicconsulting.com: dalhousie medical school
- medicine.dal.ca: pa program
- shemmassianconsulting.com: mmi interview
- canadianpa.ca: mmi
Last updated: September 26, 2026