University of California, Davis
Sacramento, CA | Ownership not categorized | Other Master’s degree, please specify, Master of Health Services in Physician Assistant Studies
Program Snapshot
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Start term | June 2027 |
| Review model | Regular - All applications are reviewed once the set deadline has passed |
| Delivery | Campus-based |
| Part-time option | No |
| Testing | None |
| Accreditation | Accreditation-Continued |
| First accredited | 1974/03/01 |
| Next ARC-PA review | 2027/01 |
Mission and Program Differentiators
Published Mission
The Master of Health Services in Physician Assistant Studies Degree Program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis prepares future PAs to become primary care providers who advance health in California’s underserved communities. The program is built on the principles of interprofessional education, leadership, and health equity. With a strong emphasis on team-based care, our program develops collaborative, socially conscious clinicians ready to improve outcomes in diverse health care environments.
Use these details only when they genuinely connect to your prior clinical, service, academic, or teamwork record.
Academic Thresholds and Cohort Context
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Minimum overall GPA | 3.00 |
| Minimum science GPA | Not reported |
| Minimum prerequisite GPA | 3.00 |
| Reported matriculant overall GPA | 3.7 |
| Reported matriculant science GPA | 3.6 |
Interpretation: Minimums are eligibility screens. Matriculant averages describe a recent entering cohort and should not be treated as guarantees or hidden cutoffs.
Prerequisite Planning
- Human Anatomy 3 Credit(s), Lab Required
- Microbiology 3 Credit(s), Lab Required
- Organic Chemistry 3 Credit(s), Lab Required
- Human Physiology 3 Credit(s), Lab Required
- English 3 Credit(s)
- Social Science 6 Credit(s)
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Additional course policy | English indicates a writing course within an English or Writing department. Human Anatomy and Physiology must be taken within 5 years of applying. See our website for details: https://health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/admissions/programs/mhs-pa.html. |
| Course recency | 5 Years |
| Outstanding-course deadline | Not reported |
| Maximum outstanding prerequisites | Not reported |
Compare labs, semester or quarter conversion, minimum grades, recency, online-course rules, and completion timing course by course.
Clinical Experience and Shadowing
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Healthcare experience | Yes, required |
| Paid healthcare experience | Not Required |
| Volunteer healthcare experience | Recommended but not required |
| Healthcare experience hours | Not reported |
| Healthcare experience time limit | No Requirement |
| Paid direct patient care | Required |
| Volunteer direct patient care | Not Required |
| Direct patient-care hours | 1,000 |
| Direct patient-care time limit | No Requirement |
| PA shadowing | Recommended but not required |
| Physician shadowing | Not Required |
| Other-provider shadowing | Not Required |
| Clinical or non-clinical research | Recommended but not required |
| Virtual healthcare accepted | No |
| Virtual shadowing accepted | No |
Strategy: Even when hours are recommended rather than required, describe role scope, patient contact, clinical judgment, teamwork, and what you learned about the PA profession.
Application Mechanics
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| CASPA deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
| Reported resident tuition | Not reported |
| Reported non-resident tuition | Not reported |
| Deadline status requirement | Orange-Complete only: the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters must be received by CASPA by the posted deadline. |
| Supplemental application | Yes |
| Supplemental deadline | Dec 1, 2026 |
| Supplemental fee | $135 |
| Reference letters | 3 |
| Reference types | No restrictions |
| Seat deposit | Yes, $1,500 |
| Deposit refundable | No |
Eligibility and Access Policies
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state applicants | Yes |
| Transfer applicants | No |
| DACA applicants considered | Yes |
| International applicants accepted | Yes, with exceptions. Please visit the program's website. |
| On-campus housing | Yes |
| Veteran support | Clinical partnerships: Partnerships with veteran organizations for rotations.;Special admission consideration: Processes that recognize military veterans.;Veteran faculty: Faculty members who have veteran status. |
Applicant Fit Analysis
Published Admissions Considerations
Prerequisite science GPA, holistic admissions review
Mission alignment
The Master of Health Services in Physician Assistant Studies Degree Program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis prepares future PAs to become primary care providers who advance health in California’s underserved communities. The program is built on the principles of interprofessional education, leadership, and health equity. With a strong emphasis on team-based care, our program develops collaborative, socially conscious clinicians ready to improve outcomes in diverse health care environments.
Recent cohort context
Reported matriculant averages were 3.7 overall and 3.6 science GPA. These are context, not admission cutoffs.
Potential Constraints to Resolve Before Applying
- At least 1,000 direct patient-care hours are reported.
- The reported overall GPA floor is 3.00; meeting a floor does not indicate competitiveness.
- Prerequisite recency policy: 5 Years.
- A supplemental application is reported, due Dec 1, 2026.
Interview Preparation
Reported requirement: No · Traditional Interview · Group Interview
| Format | Preparation focus |
|---|---|
| Traditional Interview | Prepare concise answers for motivation, readiness, ethical judgment, and program-specific fit, supported by concrete examples. |
| Group Interview | Show collaborative leadership through active listening, constructive additions, and space-making rather than dominating the discussion. |
Interview formats can change. Confirm whether the current cycle is onsite or virtual and whether writing, group, or timed scenario components are included.
Accreditation and Outcome Questions
Current status: Accreditation-Continued. First accreditation: 1974/03/01. Next review: 2027/01.
Questions worth answering before enrollment
- What are the latest first-time and ultimate PANCE pass rates, with cohort year and denominator?
- What are the latest graduation and attrition rates?
- How far may students travel or temporarily relocate for clinical rotations, and who bears those costs?
- Are core rotations assigned by the program, and can students be required to secure elective sites?
- What remediation, deceleration, and dismissal policies apply during didactic and clinical training?
Sources
| Source | What it supports |
|---|---|
| Official program website | Current program policies, curriculum, outcomes, and application instructions |
| PAEA program profile (updated January 14th, 2026) | Program-supplied admissions, curriculum, and matriculant data |
| ARC-PA accreditation source | Accreditation status and review history |