Mercy College of Ohio's 118-credit MPAS is a full-time, cohort-based program in Toledo with four didactic and three clinical semesters. Applicants apply through CASPA, submit required GRE scores, and meet academic and professional requirements. Interview-eligible applicants receive an Acuity Insights assessment invitation and must complete an on-site interview.
- Program
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Credential
- MPAS
- Location
- Toledo, Ohio, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- December 1, 2026 (CASPA application and all materials)
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- Up to 30 per cohort
- Length
- Three years; seven semesters (four didactic and three clinical).
Casper Requirement for Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant
Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- CASPA ID
- Distribution fee
- $16 per additional score distribution; the Acuity Insights assessment has a $60 initial cost.
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Applicants eligible to interview receive an invitation to complete the Acuity Insights assessment.
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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Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- CASPA
- Applications open
- April 2026
- Application fee
- No additional Mercy College application fee; CASPA and Acuity Insights assessment costs apply.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| CASPA application and all materials | December 1, 2026upcoming |
Submit transcripts and experiences through CASPA. Strategic applicants verify all transcripts and CASPA ID early.
Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: Classes of 2023-2025; applicant average covers the first four cycles
- Seats / class size: Up to 30 per cohort
- Applicants: Approximately 250 completed applications per cycle, averaged over the first four cycles
- Average GPA: Class of 2025: mean cumulative GPA 3.34; mean prerequisite GPA 3.36
- Average test score: Class of 2025: mean combined GRE verbal/quantitative 304
Eligibility Requirements for Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Citizenship
U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. International students are not accepted.
Admission pathways
- Direct entry and articulation agreements: Up to five cohort seats may be reserved for eligible students. No direct-entry seats are reserved for the May 2027 entering cohort; articulating students complete CASPA and interviews.
Applicants with international transcripts must obtain a WES course-by-course evaluation; Mercy determines whether a non-U.S. bachelor's degree qualifies.
Other requirements
- Pre-interview steps: Attend a virtual information session and submit signed Technical Standards and Pre-Disclosure forms.
- Matriculation standards: Meet Technical Standards and clinical requirements at matriculation and throughout the program.
- Admission deposits: If offered a seat, pay a $750 nonrefundable deposit within 14 days, then a $500 nonrefundable deposit 14 days later; both apply to tuition.
Selection Factors Mercy College of Ohio Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Medical terminology | 1 semester; at least 1 credit, or valid certificate/equivalent A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Psychology | 1 semester; at least 3 credits A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Statistics | 1 semester; at least 3 credits A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Genetics | 1 semester; at least 3 credits A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Organic chemistry | 1 semester; at least 3 credits; preparation for biochemistry A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Microbiology | 1 semester; at least 3 credits A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Human anatomy and physiology I | 1 semester; at least 3 credits A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Human anatomy and physiology II | 1 semester; at least 3 credits Separate anatomy and physiology courses are acceptable if each totals at least 3 credits. A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
| Biochemistry | 1 semester after organic chemistry; at least 3 credits A grade of C or better is required; AP credit is not accepted. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Mercy reviews cumulative (overall) GPA and prerequisite GPA, alongside academic rigor; pass/fail coursework does not enter science or prerequisite GPA calculations.
- Minimum
- Competitive thresholds: 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 prerequisite GPA, with no prerequisite grade below C.
The program recommends upper-level science coursework.
Admissions tests
- GRE General Test (required): Required for every applicant, including holders of graduate degrees. Take it within five years and send official scores to Mercy College of Ohio using CASPA GRE code 4751. Competitive scores: combined verbal/quantitative over 300, quantitative over 150, analytical writing at least 3.5.
- MCAT and PA-CAT (not required): Mercy does not use MCAT scores or accept the PA-CAT.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Applicants must show discernment into the PA profession. Direct patient-care experience is preferred, and the committee reviews other health-related experience; among equally qualified applicants, more patient-care hours receive preference. Mercy does not specify a minimum number of hours.
Supplementary application
No supplemental application. Submit CASPA materials, including professional or academic recommendations; Mercy scores the first two letters submitted. Letters from family or friends do not qualify as professional references.
How applicants are ranked
Verified, complete CASPA applications are reviewed and scored on a rolling basis for cumulative and prerequisite GPA, academic rigor, GRE, healthcare discernment, recommendations, communication, and relevant misconduct history. Interview-eligible applicants are invited to an Acuity Insights assessment; admission requires a scored interview, with offers based on available seats.
Interview Format at Mercy College of Ohio
Format: Interview
Interview-eligible applicants are invited to complete an Acuity Insights assessment. An on-site, scored interview is required; before it, candidates attend a virtual information session and submit signed Technical Standards and Pre-Disclosure forms.
- Who is invited
- Qualified applicants selected after review of their verified CASPA applications.
- When
- Typically July through January.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant
- Program length
- Three years; seven semesters (four didactic and three clinical).
- Structure
Cohort-based. 118 credit hours, including seven required Supervised Clinical Rotations.
The curriculum fosters clinical competence, critical thinking, effective communication, and professional development, preparing graduates as employable PAs. The cohort model ensures collaborative learning throughout.
Campus and facilities
Toledo, Ohio.
Tuition and Funding at Mercy College of Ohio
- Summer 2027 program tuition: $101,990
- Program fees: $10,360
- Total tuition and fees: $112,350
- Estimated total including other program-related expenses: $126,221
Mercy's estimate including housing and distant rotations is $153,974; actual expenses may vary.
Mercy College of Ohio's Mission and Values
The curriculum fosters clinical competence, critical thinking, effective communication, and professional development, preparing graduates as employable PAs.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students report maintaining strong grades through effective work-life balance and emphasize that the three-year timeline allows personal time without burnout. One reports, "I definitely feel less worn out now that I've found a balance between being a student and being a person." Students describe enjoying hobbies while succeeding academically. Strong performers thrive, while those struggling with balance risk dismissal—goofing off excessively hinders progress. Students note that borderline applicants benefit from robust healthcare hours.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant Application
- Apply early through CASPA and arrange official GRE scores.
- Complete prerequisites and check both cumulative and prerequisite GPAs.
- Document healthcare experience and professional references in CASPA.
- Complete the Acuity Insights assessment if invited and prepare for an on-site interview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant
Does Mercy College of Ohio Physician Assistant require Casper?
Interview-eligible applicants are invited to complete an Acuity Insights assessment. Follow the program's invitation for booking instructions.
What GPA does Mercy College of Ohio consider?
Mercy reviews cumulative and prerequisite GPAs. Its competitive threshold is 3.0 in each, with no prerequisite grade below C.
Is healthcare experience required?
Show discernment into the PA profession. Direct patient-care experience is preferred; no minimum hours are stated.
How long is the MPAS curriculum?
Seven semesters: four didactic and three clinical, with required clinical experiences and electives.
Does Mercy accept international students?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants with international transcripts need a WES evaluation.
How do I apply?
Apply through CASPA with official GRE scores; Mercy has no supplemental application.
Can students maintain work-life balance?
Students report making time for hobbies, but the full-time program discourages employment because of its academic and clinical demands.
Are interviews required?
Yes. Selected applicants complete a scored, on-site interview after the required pre-interview steps.
Sources
- Mercy College MPAS program and admissions
- Mercy College MPAS requirements
- Mercy College MPAS curriculum
- Mercy College Summer 2027 MPAS expenses
- Acuity Insights test dates and school information
Last updated: September 26, 2026