Samuel Merritt University's Oakland-based Master Physician Assistant program is a full-time, 27-month MPA. Admission requires a CASPA-calculated cumulative and science GPA of at least 3.0, 2,000 hours of direct patient care and Casper. The PA-CAT is recommended, not required. The curriculum combines preclinical study and supervised clinical rotations.
- Program
- Master Physician Assistant
- Credential
- MPA
- Location
- Oakland, California, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (Fall 2027 CASPA application deadline)
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 44 ARC-PA-approved maximum entering class size for each of the Classes of 2023-2025
- Length
- 27 months
Casper Requirement for Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant
Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required for interview and admission consideration; no minimum score is required. The program obtains results directly from Acuity Insights. The Casper test deadline is September 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM PDT.
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.
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Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- April 30, 2026
- Application fee
- $184 CASPA application fee; no additional SMU admission fee.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Casper test deadline | September 27, 2026passed 1:00 PM PDT |
| Fall 2027 CASPA application deadline | October 1, 2026upcoming |
Apply through CASPA. All minimum admission criteria must be complete at application; the program obtains Casper results directly from Acuity Insights.
Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: Classes of 2023-2025, where specified
- Seats / class size: 44 ARC-PA-approved maximum entering class size for each of the Classes of 2023-2025
- Class of 2023 attrition rate: 9%
- Class of 2024 attrition rate: 2%
- Class of 2025 attrition rate: 9%
ARC-PA-approved maximum entering class size for Classes of 2023-2025: 44. The program holds Accreditation-Continued status.
Eligibility Requirements for Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, in any major, completed at application.
- Citizenship
International medical graduates and students educated abroad may apply; no advanced placement is offered.
- Language proficiency
International students require a TOEFL score of 100.
First-generation college students and applicants with gap years have succeeded.
Other requirements
- Technical standards: Candidates must meet the program's technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Foreign transcript evaluation: International academic transcripts require a NACES-member U.S. evaluation sent to CASPA before the application deadline.
- Admission deposit: Students offered admission for entry beginning in 2027 pay a non-refundable $1,500 tuition deposit to secure a seat.
Selection Factors Samuel Merritt University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | 4 semester/6 quarter units; C or better No lab required; two combined A&P courses may count. |
| Human Physiology | 4 semester/6 quarter units; C or better No lab required; two combined A&P courses may count. |
| Microbiology | 4 semester/6 quarter units; C or better No lab required. |
| Biology elective | 4 semester/6 quarter units; C or better Any biological science. |
| Statistics | 3 semester/5 quarter units; C or better Introductory or advanced. |
| Inorganic/General Chemistry | 4 semester/6 quarter units; C or better Biology/premed level; no lab required. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative and science GPAs as calculated by CASPA.
- Minimum
- Minimum cumulative and science GPAs: 3.0 each, calculated by CASPA.
- Competitive
- Preference for cumulative and science GPAs above 3.4, with a last-60-units GPA above 3.4.
Prerequisite courses require C or better; no prerequisite labs are required.
Admissions tests
- PA-CAT (optional): Recommended as part of holistic admission; no minimum score is required.
- TOEFL iBT (required for some applicants): International students require a score of at least 100.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 2,000 hours of direct, hands-on patient care, paid or volunteer. Front-office and administrative work do not count. Medical assistant and other listed clinical roles may qualify; experience is assessed by duties, patient interaction, hours and setting.
Supplementary application
Submit three letters of reference and use the CASPA personal statement, supplemental essays and experience descriptions to demonstrate program values. One letter must be from a PA, NP, DPM, MD or DO who directly observed your patient care; a PA letter is preferred. Letters from personal friends, family or patients are not accepted.
How applicants are ranked
Holistic review considers academics, clinical experience, community service, leadership, program values and Casper. Competitive applicants form the interview pool. Offers use scores and feedback from both application review and interview; decisions are admission, numbered waitlist or denial.
Interview Format at Samuel Merritt University
Format: Interview
Mandatory all-day in-person or virtual interview, with multiple activities that may include faculty/alumni interviews, a student panel, multiple mini interviews or a team activity.
- Who is invited
- Competitive applicants selected after application review who have a Casper result.
- When
- Interview dates are not specified; final decisions are made by March 1.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 27 months
- Structure
Full-time, seven-semester program: four preclinical semesters over 15 months, followed by three semesters of full-time clinical experiences over 12 months.
- Campuses
- Oakland
Integrated basic and clinical sciences, skills and simulation precede eight required and two elective clinical rotations. No transfer credit or advanced placement is offered.
Campus and facilities
Oakland, California. Cadaver lab. Established network for clinical internships and diverse rotation sites.
Tuition and Funding at Samuel Merritt University
- Published full-program tuition, cohort starting August 2026: $170,003 for 27 months
Fall 2027 cohort tuition has not been published. Tuition may change; students offered admission beginning in 2027 pay a $1,500 non-refundable seat deposit.
Samuel Merritt University's Mission and Values
The program prioritizes critical thinking, communication skills, and patient-centered care to prepare graduates for versatile clinical roles.
Our Master Physician Assistant program focuses on critical thinking, communication skills, and patient-centered care to prepare graduates for careers as ...
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report a culture that integrates interprofessional education into required courses, fostering teamwork and effective communication for patient safety. Matriculated students describe an established network for clinical internships and access to diverse rotation sites, and they report hands-on learning that hones communication for interprofessional settings. One accepted applicant reported a 3.6 overall GPA with two gap years, including hours gained as a medical assistant.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant Application
- Check that your bachelor's degree and all seven prerequisite courses meet the admission criteria before applying.
- Document at least 2,000 qualifying direct patient-care hours and describe your duties in CASPA.
- Complete Casper in time for the school's published test deadline; confirm available sittings with Acuity Insights.
- Request three references, including one from a qualifying medical provider who observed your patient care.
- Prepare examples of teamwork, communication, critical thinking and patient interaction for the interview.
More About Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant
- Accreditation
ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued; the program is in compliance with ARC-PA Standards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant
Does Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant require Casper?
Yes. Casper is required for interview and admission consideration; no minimum score is required.
What is the minimum GPA for Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant?
CASPA-calculated cumulative and science GPAs must each be at least 3.0.
How many patient care hours does Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant require?
At least 2,000 hours of direct, hands-on patient care.
What is the acceptance rate for Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant?
The program does not publish an applicant-to-offer acceptance rate on its program page. Its published ARC-PA-approved maximum entering class size for Classes of 2023-2025 is 44.
How long is the Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant program?
The full-time MPA takes 27 months across seven semesters.
Does Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant use CASPA?
Yes. Apply through CASPA.
What are Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant Casper test dates?
Check Acuity Insights for available sittings. Casper is required, and the school publishes a test deadline in its admissions information.
Is Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant accredited?
Yes. ARC-PA lists the program as Accreditation-Continued.
Are international students eligible for Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant?
Yes. International medical graduates and students educated abroad may apply; foreign transcripts require evaluation and international students need a TOEFL score of 100.
Sources
- SMU Master Physician Assistant
- SMU 2026-2027 Admission Policies
- SMU 2026-2027 Tuition Guide
- Acuity Insights Test Dates & Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026