Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MPAS program?
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at UNT Health Fort Worth is a full-time, 30-month program designed in order to prepare students for a career as a physician assistant.

Is the MPAS program accredited?
Yes. The MPAS program has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) since 1997.

What is the length of the program and what degree is awarded?
The MPAS program is a full-time, 30-month program.

What degree is awarded?
Upon successful completion of the curriculum, graduates receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.

How many candidates are accepted into the MPAS program each year?
We accept 75 candidates into each cohort annually.

What is a cohort?
A cohort is a group of students admitted together each year who progress through the same sequence of courses throughout the program.

How competitive is it to gain acceptance into the MPAS program?
The MPAS program receives many applications each year, and the selection process is highly competitive. Applicants must meet all minimum prerequisite qualifications to be considered. When applicable, efforts to improve qualifications compared with a previous application may also be considered.

Can I attend the MPAS program part time?
No. The MPAS program is a full-time, 30-month program with a fixed curriculum sequence, requiring all students to maintain full-time enrollment.

Is admission open to applicants who do not reside in Texas?
Yes.

Is there a specific number of seats allocated for in-state and out-of-state students?
No. We do not have a particular number of allocated seats for in-state or out-of-state students. State residency is not one of the criteria used in evaluating candidates for acceptance into the MPAS program.

What components are included in the MPAS curriculum?
The curriculum is divided into didactic and clinical phases. The didactic phase of the program (i.e. the first 18 months) builds the core medical knowledge required for the PANCE. Key subjects include:

• Human anatomy and physiology with cadaver lab
• Pathophysiology of diseases across all organ systems
• Pharmacology and clinical therapeutics
• Medical microbiology and immunology
• Evidence-based medicine and clinical research
• Hands-on application of clinical knowledge and skills

These courses align with the PANCE content blueprint. That is, they ensure students master the essential knowledge areas tested on the exam.

The clinical phase (i.e. the final 12 months) consists of supervised clinical rotations that reinforce key medical concepts. Students gain real-world experience in areas such as:

• Primary care and family medicine
• Internal medicine
• Emergency medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry and behavioral health
• Women’s health
• Underserved healthcare

How much is tuition?
The cost of tuition and fees for UNT Health’s MPAS program varies by academic year and residency status. In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the program’s cost and available financial support, please consult HSC’s Tuition and Fees page and the Financial Aid Office. Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Texas Legislature or the Board of Regents, University of North Texas System.

Is housing available on the UNT Health Fort Worth campus?
No. UNT Health does not have housing on campus but does offer a few resources. Housing Options and Roommate Search

Is financial aid available?
Yes. UNT Health offers various financial aid options such as scholarships, grants and loans to assist students in managing educational expenses. Nevertheless, it is advised to explore these opportunities early to determine your eligibility and application requirements.

In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the program’s cost and available financial support, please consult UNT Health’s Tuition and Fees page and the Financial Aid Office.

How many of your graduates pass the NCCPA certifying examination on the first try?
Please refer to our PANCE Pass Rates for this information.

Is there a minimum grade required to satisfy individual prerequisite courses?
All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale). Higher scores in prerequisite coursework improve an applicant’s chance for selection.

Do all of my prerequisite courses need to be completed before I apply to the MPAS program?
Prerequisite courses may be in progress or planned when you apply, but all prerequisite coursework must be completed by December 31st of the year the applicant applies. However, starting with the 2027-2028 admissions cycle (for the class entering in 2028), all science prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application submission. Prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Foreign coursework is not accepted.

Does UNT Health offer any of the prerequisite courses?
Yes. UNT Health offers several prerequisite courses required for application to the MPAS program through the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences.

Is there a time limit for when prerequisite courses must be completed before applying?
No, but please be aware that the content knowledge gained from prerequisite coursework is necessary for success in the MPAS program.

Can I take the academic prerequisites for the MPAS program at a community college?
Yes. Prerequisite coursework can be completed at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Please note that all science classes must be intended for science majors.

Are online courses accepted to fulfill prerequisite requirements?
Yes, although it is strongly recommended that prerequisite science courses be completed in a traditional classroom setting. Please note that online courses are not exempt from the requirement to be designated for science majors to fulfill science prerequisite requirements.

Each applicant must complete all the MPAS program requirements as outlined, including prerequisite coursework and an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited, U.S. institution. Please note that the requirement for a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution will not be waived, and exceptions are not permitted. Foreign degrees are not considered equivalent, nor are they accepted in place of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution. The MPAS program does not accept foreign coursework.

How do I know if the course I am taking satisfies an academic prerequisite?
Please contact the advising/counseling office at your institution or the department offering the course for information about prerequisite coursework offerings. The Office of Admissions is not able to advise you regarding degree plan requirements for your undergraduate degree. Consult with your assigned academic advisor, school counselor, or pre-health professions advisor with questions regarding degree plan advising at your institution.

If you need assistance in determining whether a specific course meets a prerequisite requirement, please discuss with your academic advisor/counselor, pre-health advising office, or department from which the course is offered. If there is a question about whether a particular course satisfies one of our prerequisite requirements, please contact the UNT Health Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@unthealth.edu. Response to these inquiries can take additional time.

Can I substitute coursework for prerequisite requirements?
No. Substitutions are not permitted. If there is a question about whether a particular course satisfies one of our prerequisite requirements, please contact the HSC Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@unthealth.edu. Response to these inquiries can take additional time.

Can I interview even though I haven’t finished all my prerequisites?
Yes. It is possible to be invited to interview before all prerequisites have been completed; however, applicants who do not complete the prerequisite coursework with a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale) will have their applications automatically withdrawn. Failure to complete prerequisite courses by the deadline results in withdrawal of your application and/or forfeiture of your admission into the program.

 

When and how do I apply?
Applicants must submit their applications through Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), as well as a non-refundable application processing fee to be eligible for admission. No incomplete applications will be considered, and no application materials will be accepted after the published deadlines. Due to the limited number of seats and our policy of offering admission on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process early in our cycle, which runs annually from April through September. The program will begin making invitations to interview in late summer. To be considered for the first interview day of the cycle, applicants should have their application and all supporting materials submitted no later than the end of June.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
Yes. The (MPAS) program requires completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Score. The official GRE score report is due by September 1. There is no minimum score requirement; however, higher scores are considered more competitive. Applications will be considered incomplete until an official score report is received from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Early submission of scores is strongly encouraged. The GRE code for the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNT Health) PA Studies is 6380.

What is the minimum GPA requirement for admission?
Applicants must achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 at the time of application, as calculated by CASPA. Maintaining the minimum required GPA is not necessarily equivalent to achieving a competitive GPA. What is considered competitive varies according to the quality of the applicant pool during each application cycle.

How do I know if the Office of Admissions and Recruitment has received my application and materials?
Once you submit your online application and it has been verified through CASPA, you will be sent an automated email. This email will state that your application has been received and provide instructions for submitting the application processing fee online.

From whom should I request letters of recommendation?
We suggest that you obtain at least one of your letters of recommendation from a physician assistant with whom you have worked or completed volunteer/observation hours. Other letters may be from professors, employers, community leaders, or other individuals who can offer insight into your academic record, volunteer experience, character and integrity, or potential for success in a master’s level program. All letters must be submitted through CASPA.

Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree to matriculate into the MPAS program?
Yes. You must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation into the MPAS program. Your degree may be in progress at the time of application, but must be conferred prior to matriculation.

Does it matter which school I attend to earn my bachelor’s degree?
Not specifically, but your bachelor’s degree must be obtained from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university to be deemed acceptable. Information regarding regional accreditation is available from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Which undergraduate major is best to prepare me for the MPAS program?
We do not recommend a particular academic major or course of study for applicants. Applicants are encouraged to pursue an undergraduate major that allows for the development of strong analytical skills and a basis in science, which will contribute to your success in the MPAS program. We recommend applicants choose a major or minor that allows for the integration of mandatory prerequisite and strongly recommended coursework into their degree plan.

Are volunteer hours or work experience with PAs required?
No. However, competitive applicants will have knowledge of the PA profession. Exposure to a variety of settings in which PAs work is the best method for this knowledge acquisition.

How do I document my volunteer and work hours?
Applicants will account for their hours in the appropriate sections of the CASPA application. All information submitted in CASPA must be true and accurate to the best of each applicant’s knowledge. Any applicant or admitted student who provides misleading, untrue, or inaccurate information, including falsified volunteer, work, or shadowing hours submitted in the application, will be subject to academic dishonesty and ethical policies.

Do you interview applicants and what is the structure of the interview process?
Yes. The most competitive applicants are invited for an interview. Declining an invitation or failing to appear for a scheduled interview will result in automatic rejection of the application. Each applicant selected for an interview will participate in a half-day event on the UNT Health campus, which includes multiple-mini-interview evaluations, information sessions, and time to interact with faculty and current students.

How competitive is it to gain an interview?
Selection for interview is based on evaluation of information submitted in the CASPA application, including academic and personal achievements. Interviews are structured to evaluate a candidate’s interpersonal skills, communication skills, time management skills, and other professional characteristics, including motivation for entry into the PA career field. The most competitive applicants will be invited to UNT Health Fort Worth for an interview. Interviews generally take place from September to December, but may end sooner if the class is filled. Early submission of your application may increase your chances of interview selection. Interview results are confidential.

Are there any groups or categories of students who receive special preference during the admissions process?
No. All candidates are considered equally for admission to the MPAS program.

How competitive is the admissions process?
The admissions process is extremely competitive.

How important is grade point average (GPA) in the competitive admissions process?
Maintaining the minimum required GPA is not necessarily equivalent to achieving a competitive GPA. What is considered a competitive GPA varies according to the quality of the applicant pool during each application cycle. Keep in mind that, though an applicant’s academic record is considered, strong academic performance alone does not ensure acceptance.

What are the characteristics of an ideal candidate?
The goal of the admissions process is to identify the applicants who are most likely to succeed in the MPAS program, contribute to meeting the overall intent of the program’s mission, and practice successfully as a physician assistant. An ideal candidate has a strong work and moral ethic, as well as knowledge of and desire to enter the PA profession. Successful applicants have a mixture of achievements in life, work, and academics, and will commit to satisfying the tenets of a professional career in medicine.

Is shadowing a PA required for admission into the MPAS program?
No. Shadowing is not required; however, it is an excellent way for an applicant to personally experience and reflect upon the physician assistant career. The Admissions Committee will evaluate your knowledge of the field as one selection factor.

Is it beneficial to have healthcare experience before applying to the MPAS program?
Yes. Healthcare experience can be very beneficial for an applicant and is strongly encouraged. Healthcare experience is not a mandatory admission requirement but will bolster the competitive nature of an application. If you are working to gain this type of experience, you should keep in mind that prior healthcare experience provides you with greater awareness of the role of the PA and other healthcare professionals involved with direct patient care. Familiarity with healthcare systems, patient care environments, professional roles, terminology, and procedures can be beneficial as students enter the MPAS program.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the MPAS program?
This question is difficult, if not impossible, to answer. A variety of people with various backgrounds apply to the MPAS program each year, and a variety of applicants are accepted. There is no way to predict who will or will not be admitted, nor can any guarantees be offered regarding potential admittance. A good strategy is to make sure you have met all the prerequisite requirements before applying, become as knowledgeable as possible about the PA profession, and make your application and interview as strong as possible.

Will I be able to work while enrolled in the MPAS program?
While PA students are not prohibited from working while enrolled in the MPAS program, due to the intensive nature of the curriculum, students are generally discouraged from obtaining or maintaining employment while enrolled.

Does the MPAS program require me to own a laptop computer?
Yes. Enrolled students pay a technology fee and are issued a new laptop computer during orientation.

When do classes begin?
There is a mandatory one-week orientation scheduled in mid-August. Classes commence the following week.

Does the program have a Health and Technical Standards policy for enrollment?
Yes. Please refer to our Health and Technical Standards page.

Does the program require completion of a master’s or research project?
Yes. All students enrolled in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program must successfully complete a master’s project and receive a passing grade. Faculty will guide, monitor, and assess the quality of the student’s work throughout this process.

Does the MPAS program provide rotation sites?
Yes. Clinical rotations are assigned by the program based upon the needs of the student and the availability of clinical sites. The PA student is not responsible for soliciting or arranging their clinical rotation sites.