Mary Baldwin University's on-campus Master of Science in Physician Assistant program is based at Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in Fishersville, Virginia. Applicants apply through CASPA and must complete Casper and the GRE. The program requires a 3.0 overall GPA and specified prerequisite coursework; healthcare experience is recommended rather than required. Its 27-month curriculum combines didactic study with clinical rotations.
- Program
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
- Credential
- MSPA
- Location
- Fishersville, Virginia, United States
- Casper
- Required · CSP-10101
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (CASPA submission and verification; Medical Terminology completed)
- Length
- 27 months
Casper Requirement for Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant
Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- US Professional Health Sciences · CSP-10101
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- CASPA ID
- Other Acuity assessments
- Duet (not required)
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete the US Professional Health Sciences Casper assessment to be considered for an interview. Duet is not required.
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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Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- April 30, 2026
- Application fee
- $45 Mary Baldwin supplemental fee, in addition to the CASPA fee
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree and prerequisites other than Medical Terminology completed | September 1, 2026passed |
| CASPA submission and verification; Medical Terminology completed | October 1, 2026upcoming |
A CASPA fee waiver or GRE fee-reduction certificate can qualify an applicant for Mary Baldwin's supplemental-fee waiver. Accepted students pay a nonrefundable $2,000 deposit applied to tuition.
Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: Class of 2025
- First-time PANCE pass rate: 100% (35 first-time takers)
The PA program holds ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued status. Mary Baldwin anticipates a class size of 40; this is not a reported seat count for the incoming class.
Eligibility Requirements for Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Citizenship
US citizens and permanent residents may apply; Mary Baldwin cannot sponsor visas for international students.
International coursework may be considered with an appropriate transcript evaluation, such as WES.
Other requirements
- Before matriculation: Signed Intent to Enroll and Technical Standards; background check and drug screen; physical exam and health clearance, tuberculosis screening, immunizations, health insurance, and AHA BLS for Health Care Providers certification.
- Clinical placements: Sites may require additional student-paid screening or checks.
Selection Factors Mary Baldwin University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | 3-4 credits Lab required; grade of C or better |
| Human Physiology | 3-4 credits Lab required; combined anatomy/physiology may total 8 credits with labs. Grade of C or better |
| Microbiology | 3-4 credits Lab required; grade of C or better |
| Biology | 3-4 credits Additional biology course with lab; grade of C or better |
| Chemistry | 3-4 credits Lab required; grade of C or better |
| Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry | 3-4 credits Lab preferred; grade of C or better |
| Psychology | 6 credits Introductory plus upper-level, or two upper-level courses; grade of C or better |
| Statistics | 3 credits Biology, business, mathematics or psychology; no double-counting psychology. Grade of C or better |
| Medical Terminology | 1-2 credits or certificate Must be completed by the application deadline; grade of C or better for coursework |
GPA
- Minimum
- 3.0 overall GPA
Prerequisite courses require a grade of C or better. Mary Baldwin publishes no separate competitive-GPA cutoff.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): Submit official scores through CASPA; take the GRE within five years of applying. Mary Baldwin's GRE code is 3656; no minimum score is published.
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): Required if English is not your primary language, regardless of citizenship: at least 570 paper-based or 88 internet-based. MBU code: 5397; a qualifying US degree may exempt you.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Healthcare shadowing or healthcare-related and patient-care experience is recommended, not required; PA shadowing is encouraged. No minimum hours are specified. Employment, leadership, volunteering and community engagement may also be considered.
Supplementary application
Submit a brief personal statement and at least three references through CASPA. References may be patient-care professionals, professors or former employers; family and friends are not accepted.
How applicants are ranked
Verified, complete CASPA applications receive holistic review. Selected applicants are invited to interview; qualifying applicants from articulation-agreement institutions receive a guaranteed interview, and eligible regional applicants receive additional consideration. Offers are made on a rolling basis; an interview does not guarantee admission.
Interview Format at Mary Baldwin University
Mary Baldwin invites selected applicants after reviewing verified applications; it does not specify a panel format.
- Who is invited
- Selected applicants with reviewed, verified applications; qualifying articulation-agreement applicants are guaranteed an interview.
- When
- Interview dates are not published.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 27 months
- Structure
122 credits: a 15-month, 73-credit didactic phase followed by a 12-month, 49-credit clinical phase.
- Campuses
- Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
Seven six-week core rotations cover family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral and mental health, and surgery; one elective rotation is also included. The program arranges clinical sites.
Campus and facilities
The Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences is in Fishersville, Virginia, a few miles from Mary Baldwin's historic Staunton campus.
Tuition and Funding at Mary Baldwin University
- 2026-27 fall tuition: $14,560
- 2026-27 spring tuition: $14,560
- 2026-27 summer tuition: $7,280
Published semester rates exclude additional fees and living costs. Tuition and fees are set annually; no current full-program total is stated.
Mary Baldwin University's Mission and Values
The master of science in physician assistant program at Mary Baldwin embraces the team-based, collaborative, and interprofessional approach to patient care.
The master of science in physician assistant program at Mary Baldwin embraces the team-based, collaborative, and interprofessional approach to patient care.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students praise the supportive staff and team-based learning environment. Students report the interview experience as welcoming, with one noting it felt the best out of all the interviews they had attended so far. Students appreciate the supportive staff in this close-knit environment.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant Application
- Complete every prerequisite with at least a C and check course-completion deadlines.
- Arrange recommended healthcare experience or PA shadowing; no minimum hours are required.
- Take the GRE within five years of applying and complete the required Casper assessment.
- Request three eligible references and prepare a personal statement.
- Submit CASPA materials early enough for verification by the deadline.
- Prepare to discuss your experiences and interest in collaborative patient care at interview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mary Baldwin University Physician Assistant
Is Casper required for Mary Baldwin University PA Program?
Yes. Complete US Professional Health Sciences Casper (CSP-10101) to be considered for interview; Duet is not required.
What is the GPA requirement for Mary Baldwin University PA Program?
A minimum 3.0 overall GPA and grades of C or better in prerequisites are required.
When do Mary Baldwin University PA Program interviews start?
Interview dates and format are not published; selected applicants receive invitations after application review.
What is the tuition for Mary Baldwin University PA Program?
Published tuition is $14,560 for fall, $14,560 for spring and $7,280 for summer, before additional costs; a current full-program total is not listed.
Does Mary Baldwin University PA Program require shadowing?
No. Healthcare shadowing or experience is recommended, and PA shadowing is encouraged.
What is the PANCE pass rate for Mary Baldwin University PA Program?
The reported class had a 100% first-time PANCE pass rate among 35 first-time takers.
Where are Mary Baldwin University PA Program rotations?
The program arranges clinical sites for seven six-week core rotations and an elective; core areas include family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral and mental health, and surgery.
Can international students apply to Mary Baldwin University PA Program?
Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents; Mary Baldwin cannot sponsor student visas. International coursework may be considered with an appropriate evaluation.
Sources
- marybaldwin.edu: physician assistant m s
- marybaldwin.edu: physician assistant copy
- marybaldwin.edu: health professions
- marybaldwin.edu: faqs
- paeaonline.org: mary baldwin university murphy deming college of health sciences
- paschoolfinder.com: mary baldwin university physician assistant program
- marybaldwin.edu: curriculum
- catalog.marybaldwin.edu: master of science in physician assistant program mspa
- thepalife.com: multiple mini interview guide
- marybaldwin.edu: pre interview
- physicianassistantforum.com: 72828 mdmb 2025 2026
Last updated: September 26, 2026