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Master of Physician Assistant (MPA) - CA

Program Location

Center for Graduate Studies, California

Distance Education
Program Credits 108 Credits
Program Length 6 Trimesters, 100 Instructional Weeks
Time to Complete 24 Months

* Program length may vary.

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-1071

Program Mission:  The West Coast University Physician Assistant Program - California provides an intentionally immersive learning environment focused on clinical and cultural competence, personal wellness and insight, and ethical responsibility. Through our unique approach to transformational education and student support, we prepare medical professionals to demonstrate competent compassionate person-centric care with respect and equity to all communities served.

Program Vision:  The West Coast University Physician Assistant Program - California strives to equip clinically and culturally competent medical providers to serve the medical needs of patients, families, and communities.

Program Learning Outcomes

The West Coast University Physician Assistant Program – California has the following program learning outcomes/goals:

  1. Demonstrate evidence-based medical knowledge and practices to effectively provide holistic, person-centric care. (Patient-Centered Practice Knowledge)
  2. Integrate knowledge related to the business of healthcare to prepare students for professional practice and promote equitable utilization of resources for optimal patient care. (Health Care Finance and Systems)
  3. Illustrate person-centric engagement and practices including but not limited to cultural humility to promote optimal patient care  and population health with all persons. (Society and Population Health)
  4. Demonstrate person-centric communication practices that optimize patient care. (Health Literacy and Communication)
  5. Exhibit interprofessional collaboration to improve patient outcomes and demonstrate leadership skills that prioritize safety. (Interprofessional Collaborative Practice and Leadership)
  6. Embody professionalism to be prepared for responsible and ethical medical practice. (Professional and Legal Aspects of Health Care)

Admission Requirements

WCU MPA-CA program may not be available to residents in certain states. Please contact your Admission Advisor for more information.

A student applying for admission to a graduate program at West Coast University must:

  1. Submit a completed application to WCU and through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
  2. Submit original transcripts for all previous higher education through CASPA.
  3. Participate in a qualitative admissions interview
  4. Meet all requirements by the application deadline to be considered.
  5. Meet the program specific admissions requirements.
  6. Complete the enrollment agreement if accepted to the program.

Program Specific Application Requirements:

  1. Obtain a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institutionally accredited college or university by October 1.
  2. Complete all aspects of the CASPA application including the personal statement and program specific questions.
    1. List all college coursework taken (including foreign coursework and transcript evaluation from an approved agency) on the CASPA application.
    2. Submit three letters of recommendation. These letters of recommendations must be able to provide feedback regarding your preparation for a profession in medicine including professionalism, work ethic, ethics and character, and academic preparation. Letters of recommendation must come from: medical providers (MDs, DOs, PAs, etc), professors, supervisors/employers, and mentors. Letters must not come from personal contacts such as family members, neighbors, personal medical providers, and religious leaders.
  3. Meet the Technical Standards for admissions as follows:  
    1. Candidates must be able to observe and participate in demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.
    2. Candidates must have sufficient use of the sensory, vision, hearing, motor, and somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination including point-of-care techniques.
    3. Candidates must be able to perform examination activities such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, and the movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the sense of touch and vision.
    4. Candidates must be able to learn to respond with precise, quick, and appropriate action in emergency situations.
    5. Candidates must have the interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with accuracy, clarity, efficiency, and sensitivity.
    6. Candidates must have the skills to be able to analyze and synthesize information, solve problems, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
    7. Candidates must be able to acknowledge evaluation and respond appropriately.
    8. Candidates must possess the interpersonal skills to develop rapport and positive relationships with patients.
    9. Candidates must possess basic technology and digital literacy.
    10. Candidates are expected to possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the PA Program curriculum.
    11. Candidates, therefore, must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, to function effectively under stress, to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.
  4. Pre-admission Academic Standards:
    1. Have obtained a Baccalaureate degree from a institutionally accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and a Biology/Chemistry/Physics (BCP) grade point average of 3.0 or better.
    2. Applicants must provide documentation of having achieved 500 hours of observation, volunteer, and/or work in a clinical setting(s). (Waived for COVID restrictions).  
    3. Must earn a “B” or better in all prerequisite courses.  Non-science major/introductory courses are not accepted.  
    4. Baccalaureate degree and prerequisite courses must be completed by October 1 prior to matriculation.
    5. For all prerequisite courses, advanced-placement, transfer-of-credit, pass/no credit, CLEP or credit for experiential learning will not be accepted.
  5. Applicants for the Master of Physician Assistant California program must have completed specific prerequisite coursework from a institutionally accredited institution recognized by the US Department of Education in the United States.

    Required Prerequisite Courses:

    1. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits) OR Human Anatomy I with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits) AND Human Physiology I with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
    2. General Chemistry I and II with lab (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits)
    3. Microbiology with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
    4. Human Genetics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
    5. Organic Chemistry with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
    6. Biochemistry (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
    7. Statistics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)  Introductory level accepted for this prerequisite only.  
  6. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification by American Heart Association prior to matriculation and current certification maintained throughout the program.
  7. International applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S. must be prepared to provide proof of legal U.S. residency during the application process. Applicants must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to any offer of acceptance.

Additional Information:

International Applicants

International applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S. must be prepared to provide proof of legal U.S. residency during the application process. Applicants must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to any offer of acceptance.  

International applicants with a degree earned outside the U.S. must meet the following criteria:  

Applicant must submit foreign degree coursework for a transcript evaluation by World Education Services (WES), submitted through CASPA.

  1. All required prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited U.S. higher education institution and be verified through official transcripts.
  2. Official TOEFL scores submitted to CASPA with a minimum score of 100 AND at least 25 in each section (reading, listening, speaking, and writing). TOEFL. Scores are only valid for two years.

Transfer Policy

The Master of Physician Assistant-California program does not allow for transfer credit.

Advanced Placement Policy

Advanced placement is defined as a waiver of required professional coursework in the MPA program, and it will not be granted under any circumstance. All students who enter the program must fulfill all program requirements. All courses within the curriculum are required. No transfer credit is accepted. No credit is granted for pre-admission experiential learning, prior coursework, degrees, certifications, or advanced training.

Candidate Seat Deposit

Applicants are conditionally accepted to the Master of Physician Assistant program until a non-refundable $250.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit has been submitted. The Seat Deposit is not a separate charge but will be credited to the program costs should the student not cancel their enrollment. The University will retain the full amount of this deposit should the student cancel their enrollment at any time, for any reason. Seat Deposits may be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier's check made payable to West Coast University. A Seat Deposit will be collected for each enrollment and cannot be applied to or carried over to enrollments for other programs or start terms. At their discretion, the Executive Director may refund the full Seat Deposit for unusual or unexpected circumstances that would warrant a full refund. 

Application Process

  1. The program follows a rolling admissions process where applications are reviewed, and applicants selected for interview throughout the application cycle.
  2. The application cycle opens in late April when the Centralized Student Application Service (CASPA) opens and ends on the date listed in CASPA.
  3. Individuals apply to the program via CASPA.
  4. The West Coast University Center for Graduate Studies Admissions Office review applications and forward completed and appropriate applications to the MPA CA program for review.
    1. In some cases, applicants may be denied an interview. Generally, these applicants do not meet the program’s admissions requirements.
  5. Invited candidates attend a virtual interview with the program via a secure Zoom platform). The interview sessions include the following components:
    1. Opening session with the Program Director welcoming candidates, reviewing the program and admission processes, introduction of faculty and candidates, review of program curriculum, and question and answer session.
    2. Individual multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) with program faculty. 
    3. Closing session with the Program Director and then, without the program director or faculty present, with current students for any remaining questions to be answered.
  6. Admissions decisions are made near the time of the interview.
    1. Following the interview, program faculty meet to discuss all candidates and make admissions decisions.
    2. The program will offer admissions to candidates on this rolling basis such that more admissions seats will be available toward the beginning of the admissions cycle and fewer towards the end of the admissions cycle.
  7. Admission decisions include:
    1. Accepted for Admission
    2. Denied for Admission
    3. Alternate list for Admission
      1. Alternate list applicants are re-reviewed following each subsequent admissions session and may be moved from waitlist to another admissions category (e.g., denied or accepted).

The University reserves the right to deny admission to applicants who do not meet the admissions and application requirements. Applicant acceptance is limited based on class size availability. The denial of admissions is final and may not be appealed.

Disclaimer: The MPA CA and MPA TX Programs are separate and therefore have separate program specific admissions policies, requirements, and procedures.

Program Information and Disclosures

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the West Coast University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by West Coast University.  

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation. Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.  

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-west-coast-university-california/

Master of Physician Assistant - Program Requirements

  1. Obtain background clearance.*
  2. Undergo one or more comprehensive drug screening tests.*
  3. Strict adherence to the Bloodborne Pathogens Policy and Exposure Control Plan.
  4. Submit documentation of immunizations, vaccinations, tuberculosis clearance.*
  5. Provide and maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) and ACLS certification.*
  6. Expect the hours and days to vary depending on the trimester schedule.
  7. Expect the trimester schedule to be final and non-negotiable. If a student refuses a clinical assignment, the student will be dismissed from the program.

*Information regarding these requirements is provided during the application process and at the program orientation.  

Master of Physician Assistant- California Licensure Disclosure  

To become a certified PA (PA-C), graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), In addition, graduates must obtain state medical/physician assistant board licensure/registration. Licensure requirements vary from state to state.

A PA may not begin working as a Physician Assistant in most states until successfully passing the PANCE and obtaining state licensure/registration. There may be exceptions for state licensures or federal employment, such as the military. Failure to complete all necessary steps may constitute practicing medicine without a medical license. Upon graduation, students are responsible for ensuring certification and licensure/registration in their state of residence. West Coast University is not responsible for registration or licensing; the student is solely responsible for all such requirements and verifying proper authorizations to practice medicine have been obtained.  

Health Insurance Requirement

Students enrolled in the Master of Physician Assistant- California program will be required to provide evidence of health insurance.  

Supervised Clinical Practicum Experience (SCPE) Location

The MPA CA Program Clinical Team will work diligently to secure SCPEs within each student’s home community based on the approved clinical sites in states that have been vetted by the University.  Please see the Clinical Coordinator for information of current approved sites and states.  In the event that all nine clinical rotations are not found in the student’s home location, the student will be required to come to California or an area with a confirmed, clinical location for a confirmed five (5) week rotation at the student’s expense.  

Student Financial Responsibility for Clinical Site Travel

Students are required to travel to clinical sites that may be outside of their immediate area or state and are responsible for their own housing, transportation (reliable), and food.

MPA Curriculum - California

*Please note that the curriculum of the program is subject to change.  Students should refer to the program handbook and/or syllabus for updated information.

Physician Assistant Courses

PA 501Professionalism in Medicine I with Lab

1
PA 504Applied Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab

4
PA 510Holistic Medicine & Patient Care I

7
PA 513Holistic Medicine & Patient Care I Lab and Clinical Immersion

5.5
PA 516Problem Based Clinical Application Lab I

1.5
PA 531Professionalism in Medicine II with Lab

1
PA 534Applied Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab and Clinical Immersion

4.5
PA 540Holistic Medicine & Patient Care II

7
PA 543Holistic Medicine & Patient Care II Lab and Clinical Immersion

4.5
PA 550Problem Based Clinical Application Lab II

1.5
PA 558Behavioral Medicine with Lab

3
PA 561Professionalism in Medicine III with Lab

1
PA 564Applied Anatomy & Physiology III with Lab and Clinical Immersion

4
PA 570Holistic Medicine & Patient Care III

7
PA 573Holistic Medicine & Patient Care III Lab and Clinical Immersion

4.5
PA 576Problem Based Clinical Application Lab III

1.5
PA 580Health Communications

1.5
PA 590Clinical Preparation Skills Lab with Clinical Immersion

2.5
PA 660Advanced Clinical Seminar I

1.5
PA 662Family Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 664Certification Preparation I

1.5
PA 668Internal Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 670Advanced Clinical Seminar II

1.5
PA 672Pediatric Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 674Certification Preparation II

1.5
PA 678Women's Health Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 680Advanced Clinical Seminar III with Clinical Immersion

2
PA 682Behavioral Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 684Certification Preparation III

1.5
PA 686Surgery Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 688Emergency Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice*

4
PA 690Supervised Clinical Practice Electives*

8
Total Credit Hours:108.0
  • For the Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (PA662, PA668, PA672, PA678, PA682, PA686, and PA688), students have three (3), five (5) week courses each trimester. These are not lock-step and the order will be determined by the faculty.
  • Students have to take two (2) of the three (3) elective courses (PA690E, PA692E, and PA694E)

MPA - CA Program Costs

For program costs, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees section.