West Coast University
Richardson, TX | Private | MPA: Master of Physician Assistant
Program Snapshot
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Start term | January 2027 |
| Review model | Rolling - Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis |
| Delivery | Campus-based |
| Part-time option | No |
| Testing | CASPer |
| Accreditation | Accreditation-Continued |
| First accredited | 2021/06/25 |
| Next ARC-PA review | 2036/04 |
Mission and Program Differentiators
Published Mission
The West Coast University MPA Program prepares students to excel as clinicians and leaders by providing them with opportunities to learn and adopt practice-ready knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are patient-centered, innovative, and embracing cultural humility, adaptability, and agility within the evolving, challenging, and ambiguous context of contemporary healthcare. We prepare professionals who will contribute to the advancement of the physician assistant profession through exemplar practice, life-long learning, and service within and across their healthcare communities.
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 | 3.00 |
| Minimum prerequisite GPA | Not reported |
| Reported matriculant overall GPA | 3.6 |
| Reported matriculant science GPA | 3.5 |
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
- Chemistry (general) 6 Credit(s), Lab Required
- Organic Chemistry 3 Credit(s), Lab Required
- Human Physiology 3 Credit(s), Lab Required
- Genetics 3 Credit(s)
- Statistics 3 Credit(s)
| Item | Program information |
|---|---|
| Additional course policy | Prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution in the United States, within 10 years, must reflect a “C” or better. Pass/fail courses not accepted. Prerequisite courses must be complete by October 1 prior to matriculation. |
| Course recency | 10 Years |
| Outstanding-course deadline | 10/1/2026 |
| Maximum outstanding prerequisites | 8 |
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 | Recommended, but not required |
| Paid healthcare experience | Recommended but not required |
| Volunteer healthcare experience | Recommended but not required |
| Healthcare experience hours | Not reported |
| Healthcare experience time limit | Not reported |
| Paid direct patient care | Recommended but not required |
| Volunteer direct patient care | Recommended but not required |
| Direct patient-care hours | No numeric minimum reported |
| Direct patient-care time limit | Not reported |
| PA shadowing | Recommended but not required |
| Physician shadowing | Recommended but not required |
| Other-provider shadowing | Recommended but not required |
| Clinical or non-clinical research | Recommended but not required |
| Virtual healthcare accepted | Yes |
| Virtual shadowing accepted | Yes |
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 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Reported resident tuition | Not reported |
| Reported non-resident tuition | Not reported |
| Deadline status requirement | Green-Verified: the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters must be received by CASPA by the posted deadline, and the application has a verified status, meaning all GPAs have been calculated by CASPA. |
| Supplemental application | Yes |
| Supplemental deadline | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Supplemental fee | $75 |
| Reference letters | 3 |
| Reference types | No restrictions |
| Seat deposit | Yes, $1,000 |
| 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 | No |
| On-campus housing | No |
| Veteran support | Not reported |
Applicant Fit Analysis
Mission alignment
The West Coast University MPA Program prepares students to excel as clinicians and leaders by providing them with opportunities to learn and adopt practice-ready knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are patient-centered, innovative, and embracing cultural humility, adaptability, and agility within the evolving, challenging, and ambiguous context of contemporary healthcare. We prepare professionals who will contribute to the advancement of the physician assistant profession through exemplar practice, life-long learning, and service within and across their healthcare communities.
Recent cohort context
Reported matriculant averages were 3.6 overall and 3.5 science GPA. These are context, not admission cutoffs.
Potential Constraints to Resolve Before Applying
- Rolling review means an application submitted well before the deadline may receive earlier consideration.
- The reported overall GPA floor is 3.00; meeting a floor does not indicate competitiveness.
- The reported science GPA floor is 3.00.
- Prerequisite recency policy: 10 Years.
- No more than 8 prerequisite courses may remain outstanding.
- A supplemental application is reported, due Oct 1, 2026.
- An interview is required (Traditional Interview, Group Interview, Scenario Room).
- International applicants are not accepted under the reported policy.
Interview Preparation
Reported requirement: Yes · Traditional Interview · Group Interview · Scenario Room
| 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. |
| Scenario Room | Prepare program-specific examples for service, teamwork, clinical maturity, resilience, and ethical reasoning. |
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: 2021/06/25. Next review: 2036/04.
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 March 6th, 2026) | Program-supplied admissions, curriculum, and matriculant data |
| ARC-PA accreditation source | Accreditation status and review history |