GVSU's 28-month Physician Assistant Studies master's program has Grand Rapids and Traverse City campuses. Applicants apply through CASPA and complete a GVSU supplemental application, United States Casper 2, prerequisites, recommendation rubrics and at least 500 qualifying healthcare-experience hours. The program has 48 seats annually and combines four didactic semesters with three clinical semesters.
- Program
- Physician Assistant Studies M.P.A.S.
- Credential
- MPAS
- Location
- Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- July 15, 2027 (Admissions Academic Request Form, if applicable)
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 48 seats annually: 36 Grand Rapids, 12 Traverse City
- Length
- 28 months; seven semesters
Casper Requirement for Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant
Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
- Test to book
- United States Casper 2
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- CASPA ID
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Accepts the Acuity Insights Fee Assistance Program (FAP).
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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Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- April 2027
- Application fee
- $30 GVSU application fee; waived for applicants who previously applied to GVSU and paid it.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Admissions Academic Request Form, if applicable | July 15, 2027upcoming |
| Complete CASPA application and supporting documents | September 1, 2027upcoming |
| GVSU supplemental application | September 1, 2027upcoming |
| Updated transcript for prerequisites completed after CASPA verification, if applicable | September 1, 2027upcoming |
Submit a complete CASPA application including your CASPA ID for verification, the GVSU supplemental application form, and official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: GVSU PAS Classes of 2027-2029
- Seats / class size: 48 seats annually: 36 Grand Rapids, 12 Traverse City
- Applicants: 459 applicants per year
- Average GPA: Mean overall 3.82; last 60 credit hours 3.77; prerequisites 3.87.
Eligibility Requirements for Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, completed by May before matriculation
Five specified prerequisites and qualifying healthcare hours must be completed by the application deadline. Other prerequisites and the degree must be completed by May before matriculation.
Other requirements
- Recommendation rubrics: At least two through CASPA: one from a healthcare professional; the other from a healthcare professional or university faculty member. Separate letters cannot substitute.
- Official transcripts: Have every institution attended, including GVSU, send official transcripts directly to CASPA.
- Health and technical standards: Meet GVSU PAS health and technical standards and applicable health-compliance requirements.
- Checks after acceptance: Criminal background check, fingerprinting and drug screen are required; repeats may be required for clinical rotations.
Selection Factors Grand Valley State University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Biology | Required C/2.0 or higher |
| General Chemistry | Required C/2.0 or higher |
| Genetics | Required C/2.0 or higher |
| Organic Chemistry | Required by application deadline C/2.0 or higher |
| Biochemistry | Required by application deadline Within five calendar years of application; C/2.0 or higher |
| Human Anatomy | Required by application deadline Within five calendar years of application; C/2.0 or higher |
| Human Physiology | Required by application deadline Within five calendar years of application; C/2.0 or higher |
| Statistics | Required C/2.0 or higher |
| Psychology | Introductory psychology or lifespan development C/2.0 or higher |
| Microbiology | Required by application deadline Within five calendar years of application; C/2.0 or higher |
| Physics | One semester C/2.0 or higher |
GPA
- How it is calculated
CASPA calculates overall GPA. GVSU calculates the last 60 credit hours, including the full semester containing the 60th hour, and prerequisite GPA using the highest repeated-course grade or higher grade in a two-course sequence.
- Minimum
- 3.0 in each of overall, last 60 credit hours, and prerequisite GPA
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete at least 500 hours of significant volunteer, work, or observational experience in a healthcare environment by application. Patient Care Experience and Shadowing count; some Healthcare Experience counts. Hands-on patient care is strongly encouraged but is not required for all 500 hours.
Supplementary application
Complete the GVSU supplemental application by the application deadline. GVSU emails instructions after CASPA verifies and sends the application.
How applicants are ranked
Qualified applicants are ranked for interview using three GPAs, Casper scores, recommendation rubrics and additional published factors, including healthcare and service experience. The committee reviews applications; offers also consider interview-day assessments and may consider exceptional scholarly activity.
Interview Format at Grand Valley State University
Format: Interview
In-person, half-day interview with individual faculty and local-healthcare-community interviews, a group interview with program administration, a faculty panel and a student-led tour.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected by the PAS Admission Committee after application review.
- When
- Invitations expected mid-October 2027; Grand Rapids and Traverse City interview dates to be announced.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 28 months; seven semesters
- Structure
Four didactic semesters followed by three clinical semesters.
- Campuses
- Grand Rapids, Traverse City
The PAS program trains students for PA certification with emphasis on clinical proficiency, preparing graduates for specialties from primary care to surgery. Established in 1995, it has produced over 1,000 graduates practicing nationwide. Current students highlight the need for disciplined study habits and work-life balance.
Campus and facilities
Choose either the Grand Rapids Health Campus or the Traverse City campus; applicants cannot apply to both.
Tuition and Funding at Grand Valley State University
- Class of 2029 tuition, resident and nonresident: $100,580
- Clinical rotation fee: $5,500
- Estimated program and institution subtotal, including application fee: $106,110
Class of 2029 estimates; tuition and clinical rotation fees are subject to change. Living and travel costs are additional.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report overwhelmingly positive interview experiences. One applicant said they took the interview offered at Grand Valley and absolutely fell in love with it there, noting that the people were friendly and mentioning the current students. Matriculated students describe healthcare experiences as pivotal in demonstrating healthcare system immersion during selection. Current students highlight the need for disciplined study habits, noting that lapses in work-life balance contributed to rare dismissals. Students value the supportive culture and clinical focus. Applicants who methodically address each factor report higher invitation rates. The SDN Interview Experience Score aggregates applicant feedback on these sessions.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant Application
- Document at least 500 qualifying healthcare-experience hours by application; hands-on patient care is encouraged, but qualifying shadowing and other healthcare experience can count.
- Plan to complete United States Casper 2 for this application cycle and select GVSU for score distribution.
- Arrange two CASPA recommendation rubrics, including one from a healthcare professional, and request official transcripts early.
- Prepare for individual and group interviews and a faculty panel.
More About Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant
- Program founded
1995
- Graduates
over 1,000 physician assistants
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant
Does GVSU Physician Assistant Studies require Casper?
Yes. All applicants must take United States Casper 2 for their application cycle and select GVSU for score distribution.
What is the acceptance rate?
GVSU reports 459 applicants per year and 48 seats annually; it does not publish an acceptance rate in that profile.
How many healthcare hours are required?
At least 500 qualifying volunteer, work or observational hours in a healthcare environment by application.
What is the interview format?
An in-person half-day with individual and group interviews, a faculty panel and a student-led tour.
Does GVSU PA accept CASPA Fee Assistance for Casper?
GVSU requires Casper and a separate GVSU application fee; check Acuity Insights for Casper fee-assistance eligibility.
When is the CASPA deadline?
Check the application deadlines above for the complete CASPA application, supporting documents and GVSU supplemental application.
Is the program competitive?
GVSU reports 459 applicants per year and 48 seats annually.
What makes the program distinctive?
Its 28-month curriculum is offered at Grand Rapids and Traverse City and includes four didactic and three clinical semesters.
Sources
- gvsu.edu: pas
- gvsu.edu: pas 190
- gvsu.edu: admissions criteria 91
- gvsu.edu: f18 pas fact sheet
- paeaonline.org: grand valley state university
- gvsu.edu: admission related faq 106
- gvsu.edu: pa fact sheet mi schools 2020
- petersons.com: grand valley state university college of health professions physician assistant studies program 000 10030149
- gvsu.edu: curriculum 82
- gvsu.edu: gvsu pas mission goals competencies and outcomes 13
- gvsu.edu: physician assistant studies
- gvsu.edu: mmi fact sheet
- thepalife.com: multiple mini interview guide
Last updated: September 26, 2026