UCalgary's two-year Master of Physician Assistant Studies admits 20 students per cycle. Applicants need a qualifying degree, prerequisite coursework, a minimum 3.20 GPA, 500 hours of patient-facing clinical experience and Casper.
- Program
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Credential
- MPAS
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- January 21, 2027 (Last permitted Casper test)
- Interview
- Multiple mini interview (MMI)
- Seats
- 20
- Length
- Two years, full-time
Casper Requirement for University of Calgary Physician Assistant
University of Calgary Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Casper for University of Calgary MPAS
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- Use the applicant ID requested for University of Calgary MPAS during Acuity Insights registration.
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete Casper for this admission cycle; results are sent directly to the MPAS program.
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.
University of Calgary Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- University of Calgary graduate online application
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
- Application fee
- CAD $125 for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Last permitted Casper test | January 21, 2027upcoming |
| Application, fee, unofficial transcripts, supplemental form and essay (11:59 p.m. MT) | January 22, 2027upcoming |
| Reference forms (11:59 p.m. MT) | January 29, 2027upcoming |
| Proof of degree completion, if admitted | July 1, 2027upcoming |
University of Calgary Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: 2026 admissions cycle; admitted-cohort GPA figure is from 2025
- Seats / class size: 20
- Applicants: 280 applications received
- Interviewed: 72 applicants interviewed
- Average GPA: 2025 admitted-cohort median cGPA: 3.88 (range 3.6-4.0)
- 2026 applications receiving full file review: 150
UCalgary reports a 3.20 minimum cGPA over the most recent 60 undergraduate units. Published cohort medians are descriptive, not competitive cutoffs.
Eligibility Requirements for University of Calgary Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Four-year bachelor's degree from an institution recognized by UCalgary; final-year students may apply, with proof of degree completion required as a condition of admission.
- Residency
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut residents receive preference under the program's residency criteria.
- Citizenship
Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or refugee status in Canada. The program restricts admission to those with legal status in Canada, prioritizing domestic candidates.
- Language proficiency
Applicants required to prove English proficiency must meet MPAS-specific standards: TOEFL iBT 105, IELTS Academic 7.5, CAEL 70, PTE Academic 75, Duolingo 145, Cambridge C1/C2 200, or the Academic Communication Certificate with A- in each course. Section minimums also apply where specified.
Admission pathways
- Equity Admissions Pathway: For applicants from historically underrepresented communities; requires a pathway-specific essay of up to 500 words.
- Indigenous Applicant Admissions Pathway: For applicants identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit; requires a pathway-specific essay of up to 500 words.
Other requirements
- Indigenous education: Admitted students must complete an accepted Indigenous education course or training and provide proof by the start of the program.
- Admitted-student onboarding: Provide required immunization information, BLS documentation and a current Police Information Check including a Vulnerable Sector Search, as directed in the onboarding package.
Selection Factors University of Calgary Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human anatomy | At least 3.0 units with a grade of B or higher before the application deadline If the course is divided into two parts, complete both. |
| Human physiology | At least 3.0 units with a grade of B or higher before the application deadline If the course is divided into two parts, complete both. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Calculated on UCalgary's four-point scale over the most recent 60 units of the undergraduate degree. If you have multiple bachelor's degrees, use the most recently completed degree.
- Minimum
- 3.20 cGPA
Admissions tests
- English language proficiency (required for some applicants): If proof is required: TOEFL iBT 105 (each section at least 20); IELTS Academic 7.5 (each band at least 6.0); CAEL 70 (each section at least 70); PTE Academic 75; Duolingo 145 (each subscore at least 125); or Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 200. An Academic Communication Certificate with A- in every course also qualifies.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 500 hours of patient-facing healthcare experience in a clinical setting. Direct care, clinical placements in healthcare education programs and volunteer experience may qualify. List each organization, hours, location, role, and verifier's name and phone number.
Supplementary application
Submit a personal essay of no more than 500 words, a supplemental form, and two professional referees with organizational email addresses. Both referees must have supervised or overseen you professionally; at least one must have supervised a healthcare experience. Applicants using an admissions pathway submit its pathway-specific essay instead of the general essay.
How applicants are ranked
Complete applications are screened and ranked using references, essays, described experiences, Casper and GPA. Top-ranked applicants receive interview invitations. After the MMI, the committee reviews interviewed applicants' files and makes admission decisions; MMI scores are central to the post-interview ranking formula.
Interview Format at University of Calgary
Format: Multiple mini interview (MMI)
Online Multiple Mini Interviews; invited applicants receive further instructions.
- Who is invited
- Top-ranked applicants who pass initial screening are invited by email.
- When
- Invitations in early April 2027; online interviews in early May 2027.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of Calgary Physician Assistant
- Program length
- Two years, full-time
- Structure
First-year medical knowledge and clinical-skills courses followed by second-year clinical rotations.
- Campuses
- Cumming School of Medicine
The first year develops clinical knowledge and skills. The second includes supervised rotations across specialties and settings, elective rotations and longitudinal Foundations of Practice learning.
Campus and facilities
Located in Calgary, Alberta, the program operates within the Cumming School of Medicine, offering access to urban clinical sites. Current students foster community via a dedicated informational page.
Tuition and Funding at University of Calgary
- 2026/27 tuition per 3-unit course: CAD $1,300.50
- Estimated first-year tuition, 2026/27 rates: CAD $19,507.50 plus general fees
- Estimated second-year tuition, 2026/27 rates: CAD $20,808 plus general fees
Estimates exclude graduate general fees. Tuition and fees may change annually.
University of Calgary's Mission and Values
The University of Calgary MPAS program emphasizes empowering students through targeted knowledge and skills for physician assistant practice.
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the University of Calgary aspires to empower students with essential knowledge and skills.
What Applicants Are Saying
Current students highlight the program's focus by maintaining a dedicated program page to inform prospective applicants, reflecting a culture of peer support and transparency. Matriculated students describe a learning environment that prioritizes alignment with program values during the rigorous selection process. Students report a focus on practical skills integration from the outset. Forums like Student Doctor Network and Reddit's Canadian premed subreddit provide peer insights on program culture; SDN's Interview Experience Score aggregates applicant feedback, underscoring a supportive yet demanding environment.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of Calgary Physician Assistant Application
- Check citizenship or residency eligibility, degree completion, and your GPA over the most recent 60 undergraduate units.
- Complete the required anatomy and physiology courses with at least a B and document 500 qualifying clinical hours with verifiers.
- Arrange two eligible professional referees and prepare the required essay and supplemental form.
- Register for the current-cycle Casper assessment and use Acuity Insights' practice resources.
- If invited, prepare for an online MMI.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Calgary Physician Assistant
Is Casper required for University of Calgary MPAS admissions?
Yes. Complete Casper for the current admission cycle and select University of Calgary MPAS when registering.
What is the minimum GPA for University of Calgary MPAS?
The minimum is 3.20 on UCalgary's four-point scale, calculated over the most recent 60 undergraduate units.
How many patient care hours are needed for UCalgary MPAS?
At least 500 hours of patient-facing experience in a clinical setting are required; qualifying experience may include clinical placements or volunteering. Provide a verifier for each experience.
Does University of Calgary MPAS accept international students?
No, only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees qualify. Verify your status before applying.
What is the acceptance rate for University of Calgary MPAS?
UCalgary reports 280 applications and 72 interviews for its published admissions cycle. It accepts 20 students per cycle but does not publish a 10% acceptance rate.
Are there interviews for UCalgary MPAS?
Yes. Top-ranked applicants are invited to online MMIs; invitation and interview timing is listed in the interview section.
What are the Casper test dates for UCalgary MPAS?
Select a current sitting for UCalgary MPAS in the Acuity Insights booking portal. Check the application deadlines for the last permitted test date.
Where can I find UCalgary MPAS tuition details?
Estimated tuition is CAD $19,507.50 in year one and CAD $20,808 in year two, plus graduate general fees; rates may change.
Sources
- UCalgary MPAS Admissions Requirements
- UCalgary MPAS FAQs
- UCalgary Admissions Statistics & Cohort Profiles
- UCalgary MPAS Admissions Pathways
- UCalgary MPAS Onboarding Process
- UCalgary MPAS Tuition
Last updated: September 26, 2026