Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP)

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Application to the Physician Assistant Program requires completion of a bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) from a regionally accredited four-year institution and completion of academic prerequisite requirements.

Admission to the program is for the fall semester only. Admission is granted by the physician assistant selections committee after careful review of all eligible applications. Selections are made on the basis of a formal interview (for competitive applicants) and consideration of a variety of factors, which include: academic record, amount of clinical experience, multicultural sensitivity, community service experience and knowledge of the profession.

Applicants are required to submit an application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) as well as a USC Supplemental Application by November 1 of each year. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Further details regarding admission procedures including those for international student applicants are provided online at usc.edu/pa. The program will not waive any aspect of the application or deadline. 

Transfer Students or Advanced Placement

The Physician Assistant Program does not accept transfer students, nor do we allow advanced placement based on prior education or clinical experience. Each applicant who is admitted is required to complete the full Master of Physician Assistant Practice curriculum in residence at USC. No waivers or substitutions are permitted.

Registration

Students receive information regarding registration in the summer prior to enrollment.

Advisement

Virtual advisement appointments are available for prospective students who would like to receive more information regarding the program. For information, please call (626) 457-4240 or email uscpa@usc.edu.

Degree Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and completion of all prerequisite course work are required for admission to the Physician Assistant Program. 

Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale in which A = 4.0).

All science prerequisites are expected to be completed by the end of the fall term in the year prior to matriculation. All non-science prerequisites must be finished by the end of the spring term just before the matriculating fall semester. A maximum of two non-science prerequisite courses can be in-progress during the spring term prior to matriculation.

All prerequisite courses must be completed for letter grades with at least a grade of C (2.0) earned.

Science Prerequisites

One (1) year sequential course work (two semesters or three quarters) for biological-based science majors in each of the following:

Biology

Option (1):

General Biology or Human Biology*: One year sequential course work (equivalent to two semesters or three quarters**)

**Applicants from an institution on the quarter system: If your institution does not offer three (3) quarters of General Biology or Human Biology, you may elect to take two (2) quarters of General Biology and one (1) quarter of one of the following – Genetics, Molecular Biology, Immunology or Cell Biology.

- OR -

Option (2):

One (1) semester/quarter of General Biology or Human Biology and;

One (1) semester or two (2) quarters of an additional Biology course(s) from the list below:

Option 2 biology courses must be designed for biological-based science majors.

• Cell Biology
• Endocrinology
• Histology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology
• Embryology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Chemistry with Lab

Option (1):

General Chemistry with lab: One (1) year sequential course work (equivalent to two semesters or three quarters*)

If your institution does not offer a General Chemistry with Lab series, then you must provide proof of completing the introductory chemistry with lab series for biological-based science majors. Applicants from an institution on the quarter system: If your institution does not offer three (3) quarters of General Chemistry with Lab, you may elect to take two (2) quarters of General Chemistry with Lab and one (1) quarter of one of the following: Organic Chemistry with Lab, Biochemistry with Lab, or Inorganic Chemistry with Lab.

- OR -

Option (2):

One (1) semester/quarter of General Chemistry with lab and;

One (1) semester or two (2) quarters of an additional Chemistry course(s) with a lab in the following:

• Organic Chemistry w/lab
• Biochemistry w/lab
• Quantitative Analysis w/lab
• Analytical Chemistry w/lab
• Inorganic Chemistry w/lab

One semester (3 units) or quarter (4 units) of each of the following:

Microbiology with Lab

May be in the following:

• Microbiology with lab
• General Microbiology w/lab
• Introductory Microbiology w/lab
• Medical Microbiology w/lab

Human Anatomy with lab*

Human Physiology*

A combined Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) with Lab series can fulfill the Human Anatomy with Lab and Human Physiology prerequisites. If completing an A&P series, then you must complete one (1) year of sequential course work (two semesters or three quarters). For example, if your regionally accredited institution offers a three-quarter A&P series, then you must complete all three courses.

Non-Science Prerequisites:

A minimum of one (1) semester/quarter unit at a regionally accredited institution or submit a medical terminology certificate of completion from a regionally accredited institution or vocational program:

• Medical Terminology

One semester (3 units) or quarter (4 units) of each of the following:

• Statistics

• Introduction/General Psychology

One (1) year for each of the following:

• Beginning Spanish language (Must be college-level credit earned either through course work or by placement examination. There is no language substitution.)

• English – International applicants only

AP Credit

For applicants that received AP credit in prerequisites

Advanced Placement (AP) credit for science prerequisites will not be accepted. If an applicant has received one semester or quarter of AP credit (or equivalent) for Biology or Chemistry with Lab, then the applicant may elect to satisfy the prerequisite(s) in one of two ways:

1. Complete the specific course sequence as outlined above (i.e. complete two semesters or three quarters of the general science course series), or
2. Complete a minimum of two semesters (6 units) or three quarters (9 units) of upper-division course work for biological-based science majors.

For example, if you received AP credit for one term of general biology, then you may satisfy the Biology prerequisite in one of two ways:

1. Complete a one-year (two semesters or three quarters) general biology course sequence for biological-based science majors, or
2. Complete a minimum of two semesters (6 units) or three quarters (9 units) of upper-division course work for biological-based science majors (e.g. cell biology, genetics, histology, etc.).

Upper-division courses for non-majors will not be accepted.

Students who intend to apply to the Physician Assistant Program should contact the admission office for evaluation of previous baccalaureate and/or post-baccalaureate course work.

10-Year Exemption

All prerequisite science courses must be completed within 10 years of the application submission year. Exceptions to the 10-year science prerequisite time frame may be granted on an individual basis to individuals who have completed one of the following:

1. A minimum of 8 semester units of graduate credit in a medically related natural science discipline, with at least a 3.0 GPA, completed within seven years of the application deadline, or
2. Received an advanced degree in the natural sciences, clinical sciences or other appropriate disciplines within 10 years of the application deadline.

In either case, all course work completed and degrees conferred must be from institutions of higher education, which are accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Requests for this 10-year exemption should be directed to uscpa@usc.edu.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit all requested documents in support of this request and to ensure that these documents were received. The Chair of Admissions will review all submitted documents and render a decision to the applicant within two weeks of document receipt. All decisions are final. If an exemption is not granted and the applicant wishes to continue the application process, then the applicant will need to complete the prerequisites as specified.

Requests to waive the 10-year requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Chair of Admissions, and a strong history of continued scientific contributions in the applicant’s career will be considered. Applicants should provide evidence of their continuation in a scientific or health-related field as part of their 10-year extension request.

Distance Learning 

Distance learning and remote courses are acceptable provided they are equivalent in all dimensions (including laboratory requirements) to courses taught in “traditional” or in-person educational settings. All distance learning course credit must be provided by regionally accredited institutions of higher education.

Clinical Experience

Hands-on, paid, patient care clinical experience is preferred. Please refer to our list of common clinical experiences. Other health care experience is equally acceptable as long as the clinical experience is hands-on in nature. It is important that PA applicants are familiar with medical care environments and the role of a physician assistant, and have experience working with patients. Volunteer clinical experience is also considered in the application process and should be entered into the CASPA application, as well; the applicant is encouraged to describe their hands-on experience, whether it is paid or volunteer

Shadowing Experiences

Shadowing a Physician Assistant (PA) is preferred in the admissions application process. The selections committee defines shadowing as observing a PA in the care of patients, working alongside a PA on a day-to-day basis or attending virtual shadowing opportunities. Virtual shadowing experiences can include telehealth, provider platforms, and websites that offer case studies provided by a PA. The goal of shadowing is to help an applicant articulate the role of a PA.

Community Service Activities

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to community service. Service that benefits underserved or disadvantaged groups is highly desirable as the program has a commitment to training its students as primary care providers with these populations. This can include experiences with Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, tutoring, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

Curriculum Requirements

The completion of the 33-month professional curriculum is required to earn the Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree. Students do not have choices of courses to take nor are they permitted to drop any course or courses during the semester. Progress is permitted only when the prior semester is successfully completed. Students should view the curriculum outlined here as advisory only and subject to modification.

Summative Evaluation

A summative evaluation, using standardized clinical cases and a written examination, is completed during the final semester to assess each student’s preparedness to graduate, and enter clinical practice.

Health Requirements and Technical Standards

All accepted candidates are required to meet the PA program’s technical standards (physical and psychological competencies of performance) prior to entering the program and throughout training. Upon acceptance, students will be required to submit and maintain evidence of current health status and immunizations. Students are also required to maintain university-approved health care insurance coverage while enrolled in the program. Specific details outlining these technical standards are located at usc.edu/pa.

Employment

The Primary Care Physician Assistant Program at USC is a full-time program. Students are strongly discouraged to accept or continue outside employment while enrolled in the program. Students are not permitted to work for the program.

Background Check

In 2020, California became the fifth state to prohibit the use of criminal background checks in admissions considerations for graduate schools when the California Education Code 66024p was updated following the passage of the “Ban the Box” bill. While this legislation prohibits schools from process background considering criminal backgrounds in the admissions process, it does not prohibit criminal background checks for matriculated students. These background checks are required to work with minors and to participate in clinical training activities with health care partners throughout the state. Students who matriculate with a history of a criminal conviction may not be able to successfully complete the curriculum due to these requirements, and therefore, should check with the program prior to matriculation. In addition, criminal background checks including LiveScan are required for state licensure in California and a history of a criminal conviction may be considered by the California Physician Assistant Board as well as other state medical boards and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants in the licensure application. Applicants/matriculants should consult with these entities prior to matriculation to ensure they will be eligible for licensure upon completion of their degree.

Degree Requirements

All students in the Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree program must meet course and grade point average requirements. All students must complete each semester with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater. Failure to achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will result in automatic academic probation and a subsequent semester below a 3.0 cumulative grade point average will result in academic dismissal. The degree will not be conferred until the student has successfully completed all degree requirements. Students are subject to the degree requirements in the catalogue current for the semester of their admission into the program.

Physician assistant students are enrolled in a standard curriculum during their 33 months in the program. The following courses must be successfully completed in order to earn the Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree. Only physician assistant students may enroll in these courses. Departmental clearance is required to enroll.