MPA Prerequisites and Admission Criteria

A Bachelor's Degree is Not Required for the MPA Degree.

Table of Contents
	Transfer Credit Policy
	General Admissions Criteria
	Mandatory Course Prerequisites
	Prerequisites for the Master's Physician Assistant Program

Transfer Credit Policy

There is no advanced placement, transfer of credit (except for 90 semester hours of prerequisites at an accredited college or university) or credit for experiential learning allowed. Previous medical professions course work will not be accepted toward completion of the MPA degree. It is important that our students are exposed to specific course content.  To ensure this, only courses taught within our curriculum are accepted for credit toward graduation.

General Admission Criteria 

Admission is based on undergraduate college coursework including the overall, transfer, and math/science grade point averages. Other criteria include personal interviews, assessment of the applicant's motivation and the possession of the personal qualities needed to successfully complete the program.  Prior to enrollment, the applicant must have:

1. A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous college work and an average of at least 2.8 on math and science courses.
2. Completed 90 semester hours of prerequisites at an accredited college or university.
3. A minimum combined GRE score of 900 is needed for full admission. The results of all three components, including the analytical/written section of the general GRE exam must be provided.
4. A minimum of 100 hours of health care experience or volunteer activities.
5. Observed physician assistants in a variety of PA clinical settings (more than two).
6. Three references that focus on the applicant’s generic abilities for clinical work rather than just their academic ability—one of which must be from a physician assistant that indicates PA contact.  Having at least one reference from a physician assistant from each of the clinical settings observed by the applicant is highly recommended. (back to top)

Mandatory Course Prerequisites Include

7. General Chemistry I and II (Labs required)
8. Biology I and II (Labs required)
9. Human Anatomy and Physiology  (Lab required)
10. General Psychology
11. Organic Chemistry I (Lab required)
12. Statistics
13. Microbiology w/lab

• Interviews are by invitation only.
• Preference is given to residents of Georgia and to residents of states with no Physician Assistant Program.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official TOEFL scores. A minimum TOEFL score of 250 on the computer-based exam or 600 on the paper exam and a minimum score of 50 on the TSE-P are required for admission consideration. The TSE-A exam scores will not be accepted. Applicants must take both the TOEFL and the TSE-P by October 15 to be considered for admission the following year.

The Admissions Committee selects the applicants who seem best qualified for the program from among those who apply and submit all required documentation.  Applications must be postmarked by October 15, but earlier application is encouraged. (back to top)

Prerequisites for the Master’s Physician Assistant Program

The prerequisite courses required to apply to MCG Master of Physician Assistant Program comprise a core curriculum divided into seven categories (Areas A-G). The courses acceptable to meet the requirements of each category are listed below. (back to top)

*     These courses are MANDATORY.
**    Students may take any other science course to satisfy the remaining hours in this section. (back to top)

Copyright 2008
Medical College of Georgia
All rights reserved.

School of Allied Health Sciences | Medical College of Georgia
Please e-mail comments, suggestions or questions to:
Wendy Paschal, wpaschal@mcg.edu
February 14, 2008