Colorado Mesa University PA Program: Admissions Guide 2027-2028

Colorado Mesa University’s Bechtel Physician Assistant Program offers a 28-month master’s course of study in Grand Junction. Apply through CASPA; Casper, a minimum 3.0 cumulative, science and prerequisite GPA, and 500 paid healthcare experience hours are required. Applications undergo rolling review. The next cycle’s application and Casper dates have not been published. The cohort of 2028 averaged 3.67 cumulative, 3.63 science and 3.72 prerequisite GPA; these are cohort averages, not admission thresholds.

Program

Bechtel Physician Assistant Studies Program

Credential

master’s

Location

Grand Junction, Colorado, United States

Casper

Required

Interview

Interview

Length

28 months

Casper Requirement for Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant

Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.

Languages

English

Applicant ID to enter

CASPA ID

Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.

Casper is required. Applicants approved for the CASPA Fee Assistance Program may request applicable Casper fee assistance through Acuity Insights; proof of approval is 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.

Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.

Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2027-2028

Apply through

CASPA

Application fee

$50 non-refundable CMU Graduate Application Fee, in addition to CASPA-related fees.

Apply through CASPA. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after all required materials and the CMU graduate application fee are received. Application dates for the next cycle have not been published.

Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics

Period: Cohort of 2028

• Average GPA: 3.67 cumulative; 3.63 science; 3.72 prerequisite
• Average healthcare experience: 3,824 hours

Averages for the cohort of 2028.

Eligibility Requirements for Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant

Degree / credits

Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign degree accepted as equivalent by a U.S. equivalency reporting agency; no specific major is required.

Language proficiency

For applicants with a degree earned outside the U.S., TOEFL minimum 550 paper-based or 80 internet-based.

Other requirements

• After an offer: A $1,000 non-refundable seat payment is required on acceptance. Before enrollment, submit health and insurance documents, technical-standards attestation, immunization information, background check and drug screen, official transcripts, waivers and conditional-acceptance documents.

Selection Factors Colorado Mesa University Considers

Prerequisites

GPA

How it is calculated

Cumulative, science, and prerequisite GPAs as calculated by CASPA

Minimum

3.0 cumulative, 3.0 science, and 3.0 prerequisite

Prerequisites completed when applying require C or higher. Up to 9 semester credits may remain outstanding; outstanding prerequisites require B or higher before matriculation. Prerequisite coursework must be from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

Admissions tests

• GRE (not required): The GRE is not required.
• TOEFL (required for some applicants): Applicants with a degree earned outside the U.S. need at least 550 paper-based or 80 internet-based.

Experience and volunteer hours

Required.

At least 500 paid healthcare experience hours are required at application. Report them in CASPA’s Supporting Information section. CMU says all healthcare experience is considered equally; the number of hours is considered during screening. Community service is recommended, with no minimum hours.

Supplementary application

CASPA requires official transcripts, a personal narrative, three professional recommendations, the Maverick Questionnaire documenting Western Colorado ties, and a Maverick Essay addressing the program’s mission and vision.

How applicants are ranked

The committee scores academics, Casper, community engagement, Western Colorado ties, healthcare experience, the Maverick Essay, CASPA personal narrative and recommendations to select interviewees. Interview performance informs accept, waitlist or not-accepted decisions.

Interview Format at Colorado Mesa University

Format: Interview

Interviews are conducted virtually and include an individual interview, group activity and writing sample.

Who is invited

Invited applicants

When

Interview timing for the next cycle has not been published.

Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.

Curriculum at Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant

Program length

28 months

Structure

Didactic phase followed by clinical rotations

Campuses

Grand Junction

The Bechtel Physician Assistant Studies Program blends didactic and clinical phases. Didactic coursework covers pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical skills in the first year, followed by rotations in primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, and specialties. Graduates qualify for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Longitudinal threads emphasize evidence-based medicine and interprofessional collaboration.

Campus and facilities

Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, the campus supports health sciences with modern simulation labs and clinical affiliations across the region. On-campus housing options suit graduate students.

Tuition and Funding at Colorado Mesa University

• Class of 2028 estimated tuition and fees, in-state: $88,960
• Class of 2028 estimated tuition and fees, out-of-state: $152,135

These are published estimates for the class of 2028, not a quote for the next entering class. Living costs and other program expenses are additional; rates may change.

What Applicants Are Saying

How to Prepare Your Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant Application

1. Complete at least 500 paid healthcare experience hours before applying.
2. Check every prerequisite, its credits and applicable grade rule.
3. Prepare the CASPA narrative, three recommendations, Maverick Questionnaire and Maverick Essay.
4. Use Acuity Insights’ official Casper practice test and check the published dates before booking.
5. Prepare for a virtual individual interview, group activity and writing sample.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Mesa University Physician Assistant

Does the program require Casper?

Yes. CMU requires a Casper result before reviewing an application.

What is the minimum GPA?

At least 3.0 each for cumulative, science and prerequisite GPA. The cohort of 2028 averaged 3.67 cumulative, 3.63 science and 3.72 prerequisite GPA; these are cohort averages, not admission thresholds.

How many healthcare hours are required?

At least 500 paid healthcare experience hours at application.

What is the interview format?

A virtual individual interview, group activity and writing sample.

How long is the program?

28 months of didactic and clinical study.

Does the program accept FAP?

Acuity Insights recognizes approved CASPA fee assistance for U.S. PA Casper tests. This does not establish a waiver of CMU’s separate graduate application fee.

Can prerequisites remain outstanding when applying?

Up to nine semester credits; outstanding courses require B or higher.

When can I take Casper?

Dates for the next application cycle have not been published.

Sources

• CMU How to Apply
• CMU Admissions Overview
• CMU Prerequisite Course Requirements
• CMU PA Program FAQ
• CMU Bechtel Physician Assistant Program
• CMU Financial Information
• Acuity Insights FAP Guidance
• Acuity Insights Casper Preparation

Last updated: September 26, 2026