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Medical trainees examining a patient in a clinical setting.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Become a Physician Assistant in two years with this graduate program designed for ambitious learners. You’ll gain the knowledge and practical experience to assess, diagnose, treat, and support patients across diverse healthcare settings, while preparing for collaborative practice in a physician-led team.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Become a Physician Assistant in two years with this graduate program designed for ambitious learners. You’ll gain the knowledge and practical experience to assess, diagnose, treat, and support patients across diverse healthcare settings, while preparing for collaborative practice in a physician-led team.

Medical trainees examining a patient in a clinical setting.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Become a Physician Assistant in two years with this graduate program designed for ambitious learners. You’ll gain the knowledge and practical experience to assess, diagnose, treat, and support patients across diverse healthcare settings, while preparing for collaborative practice in a physician-led team.

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About the program

Apply now Admission requirements

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) prepares you to become a clinically skilled, competent and compassionate Physician Assistant (PA) ready to practice in different health care settings. You’ll graduate ready to work in physician-led teams, providing patient-centred medical care across hospitals, primary care, emergency medicine, and specialty services.

Your learning in this is two-year, full-time professional master’s targets PA-specific competencies and graduate-level training, and is aligned with our program in Undergraduate Medical Education. You’ll train within a physician-led model of care, build competency through Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and complete a graduate research project - ensuring you’re practice-ready and prepared for national certification.

Prospective students are advised that the program is still subject to formal approval.

  • Program name: Master of Physician Assistant Program
  • Credential: Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
  • Duration: 2 years (full-time; 6 consecutive graduate level terms)
  • Application period (September 2026): June 8 – July 13, 2026
  • Contact: Jennifer Franco jfranco@uwo.ca
Full-time
6 consecutive terms
In-person
Clinical rotations
Simulation-based
Graduate Clinical Research Curriculum

Reasons to study

Doctor in scrubs chatting with a seated patient in an exam room.

Patient centred clinical training

Develop strong clinical judgment and hands-on experience through simulation, case-based learning, and supervised rotations. Train in a physician-led model to deliver safe, ethical, culturally responsive care across diverse populations.

Two healthcare workers walking and talking in a clinic hallway

Small cohort

Benefit from close mentorship, direct faculty access, and meaningful feedback in a focused cohort that fosters collaboration, professionalism, peer support, and strong interprofessional relationships.

Three medical residents in scrubs walking outside near a clinic building.

High employment demand

Physician Assistant graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects, with growing demand driven by healthcare needs, expanding PA integration, and opportunities across hospitals, primary care, emergency medicine, and specialties.

What you'll learn

Year 1 focuses on medical foundations, clinical skills, professional competencies, and research training through in-person, case-based, and simulation-based learning.

Medical Foundations I–III

Study systems-based medicine across the lifespan, integrating anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. This foundation strengthens clinical reasoning and prepares you to assess, diagnose, and manage common and complex medical conditions.

Clinical Skills I–III

Develop patient-centred communication, history taking, physical examination, and procedural skills. Simulation and standardized patient encounters allow you to apply knowledge safely before entering supervised clinical practice.

Professional Competencies

Explore ethics, professionalism, wellness, and the evolving role of Physician Assistants in Canada. This course supports leadership development, accountability, and effective collaboration within physician-led healthcare teams.

Interprofessional Learning

Participate in structured learning alongside other health profession learners, including undergraduate medical students. Shared sessions strengthen teamwork, clarify professional roles, and prepare you to contribute effectively within collaborative care environments.

Clinical Research & Quality Improvement

Develop graduate-level skills in critical appraisal, research methodology, and evidence-based medicine. Complete a quality improvement or research project that applies evidence to real clinical questions.

Year 2 focuses on supervised clinical rotations across core specialties, and two elective blocks. You’ll collaborate with other learners to complete a group quality improvement or research project, applying principles of research learned in Year 1 to real clinical questions. Year 2 concludes with a structured Transition to Practice experience.

Family Medicine

Complete an extended rotation in community-based primary care. Under physician supervision, you’ll assess patients, develop management plans, and build continuity-of-care skills across diverse populations.

Core Hospital Rotations

Complete rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, geriatrics, anesthesia & pain medicine, and emergency medicine. Assume progressive responsibility as you achieve competency milestones and EPAs.

Supervised Clinical Practice

All clinical learning occurs within physician-led teams. Your scope of practice develops through negotiated clinical autonomy, structured feedback, and direct supervision tailored to your demonstrated competence.

Competency-Based Assessment

Clinical performance is evaluated through workplace-based assessments, practicum logbooks, and EPA completion. A competence committee reviews progression to ensure readiness for increasing responsibility and safe patient care.

Elective Rotations

Select two elective experiences aligned with your interests and career goals. Electives allow you to deepen expertise while continuing competency-based assessment within supervised clinical environments.

Transition to Practice

In the final phase of training in Year 2, you’ll consolidate clinical competencies and prepare for national certification. Structured sessions focus on professional readiness, clinical decision-making, and entry into supervised practice.

Application requirements

Admission to the MPAS program is competitive. The requirements listed are considered a baseline. We’ll look for you to show strong academic preparation, professionalism, and a demonstrated commitment to patientcentred healthcare.

  1. Four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized institution
  2. Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 (75%) in the final two full-time years
  3. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed university-level coursework in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Statistics
  4. Academic background in health, biomedical, or related sciences preferred
  1. Online application through Western Graduate Studies
  2. Two letters of reference — statements from referees must be submitted by July 13th
  3. Unofficial post-secondary transcripts. One copy of official/certified transcripts will be required if you receive an admission offer.
  4. Supplemental statement addressing the prompts below — maximum 550 words, PDF (see format requirements)

Supplemental statement

Your statement should address:

  • Why have you chosen to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant?
  • What experiences, qualities, or accomplishments have prepared you to be an effective Physician Assistant? Please provide specific examples to support your response.

The Admissions Committee is interested in learning more about your motivations, experiences, and potential contributions to the Physician Assistant profession.

Format requirements:

  • Maximum length: 550 words
  • Font: 12-point (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
  • Spacing: single-spaced
  • Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
  • File format: PDF

Statements that exceed the maximum word count or are not formatted as above may not be considered.

  1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). iBT (internet-Based Test):
    • For tests taken before January 21, 2026, Western requires a minimum overall score of 86, with no individual section score below 20. Some programs may require a higher minimum and/or specific band scores. Western’s TOEFL ID is 0984.
    • For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, Western requires a minimum overall score of 4.5, with no individual section score below 4. Some programs may require a higher minimum and/or specific band scores. Western’s TOEFL ID is 0984.
  2. The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9.
  3. The Duolingo English Test. The minimum acceptable score is 115.
  4. The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60.
  5. Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
  6. Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components.

Upon successful admission, you’ll be asked to provide:

  1. Required medical information, including proof of immunization
  2. CPR certification
  3. Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification (Heart & Stroke Foundation)

Apply now

Application period for September 2026 intake

Open: June 8, 2026
Close: July 13, 2026
Apply now

Plan your finances

Graduate student funding & fees explained

What it costs

Program tuition will be confirmed following final program approvals. Fees are expected to be comparable to other Canadian Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs. Additional costs may include textbooks, equipment, and clinical placement requirements. 

Tuition & fees

Support available

As a graduate learner, you may be eligible to receive financial support.

Graduate students who find themselves in financial need have access to a full range of bursary programs, loans and financial aid counselling at Western.

Financial support 

Plan ahead

Managing your finances, time, and overall wellness are critical to your academic success.

Use the Graduate Student Affordability Calculator to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three-term) academic year.

Budget planning 

Clinical placements

Primary care

During your eight-week Family Medicine rotation and additional community placements, you’ll assess patients across the lifespan, develop management plans, and support continuity of care. Under physician supervision, you’ll build diagnostic reasoning, patient communication, preventive care skills, and longitudinal clinical judgment in team-based primary care settings.

Hospital-based rotations 

Across core rotations in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Geriatrics, and Anesthesia/Pain, you’ll participate in supervised patient care within academic and community hospital teams. Through workplace-based learning, you’ll progressively develop clinical decisionmaking, procedural competence, and safe patient management aligned with PA Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) assessments.

Elective rotations & transition to practice

Elective rotations allow you to explore areas of clinical interest while strengthening generalist competencies. Working within physician-led specialty teams, you’ll refine assessment, procedural, and collaboration skills in focused practice environments. A dedicated Transition to Practice block supports certification preparation and professional readiness for entry into supervised clinical practice.

What comes next?

As a graduate of the MPAS program, you’ll be prepared to enter supervised clinical practice as a certified Physician Assistant within physician-led healthcare teams across Canada.

Where You May Practice

  • Family medicine clinics
  • Hospital inpatient services
  • Emergency departments
  • Surgical and procedural services
  • Specialty medical clinics
  • Rural and community settings

Certification and licensure

As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to challenge the Physician Assistant Certification Examination (PACE) administered by the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC). Successful candidates earn the Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) designation.
In Ontario, Physician Assistants must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) to practise under the Physician Assistant title.

Frequently asked questions

Applications for the September 2026 intake will be accepted from June 8, 2026, through July 13, 2026. All application materials must be received by the application deadline.
Once the MPAS program has received formal Provincial approval, eligible students may apply for OSAP. For OSAP eligibility requirement, please see Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Yes. Following a review of all completed applications, a select group of applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual asynchronous interview. Interviews are anticipated to take place in late July.

The number of applicants invited to interview has not yet been determined and will depend on the size and strength of the applicant pool. Once the application review process is complete, applicants selected to move forward will receive information regarding next steps.

Due to the competitive nature of the admissions process, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants who are not invited to interview will not be moving forward in the admissions process for the current application cycle.

No. The MPAS program will not publish a GPA cut-off for admission, as the competitiveness of each admissions cycle will depend on the strength and size of the applicant pool received.

Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirement for consideration:

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 (75%) in the last two full-time years (or 20 half-courses) of undergraduate study.

Meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee an interview or admission to the program.

There are no required courses. However, preference will be given to students who have completed courses in human anatomy, human physiology, and biostatistics.
Clinical experience is not required for admission to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. However, applicants who have completed health care-related experience, for example work experience, volunteer experience, or research, may receive additional consideration during the admissions review process.

Yes. We welcome applications from both graduate and undergraduate students. While some applicants may hold graduate degrees, the basis of admission to the MPAS program is an undergraduate degree.

Graduate applicants will be considered alongside all other applicants, and there are no reserved seats or separate admissions streams for individuals with graduate-level education. All applicants will be evaluated through the same admissions process, with consideration given to the entirety of their application.

No. Applicants do not need to have their degree formally conferred at the time of application.

All undergraduate degree requirements and coursework must be completed by September 1, 2026. Students who are unable to provide confirmation of degree completion and eligibility for conferral by the required deadline may have their offer rescinded or, if already enrolled, be required to withdraw from the program.

July 13, 2026, is the application deadline for a September 2026 start date (Class of 2028).
Applicants will require one academic reference and one non-academic reference. Additional information regarding expectations for references will be provided within the application materials.
Our intended cohort size for the inaugural class is 30 students.
The application fee will be $185 CAD.
Applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirements if they have completed a minimum of two years of study in an academic degree program in a country whose principal language of instruction is English.
No. The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program is not accepting international applicants for the September 2026 cohort.
Given the compressed timelines associated with program approval and launch, the initial admissions cycle will utilize a broad admissions process. Dedicated applicant pathways aligned with the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Undergraduate Medical Education admissions process will be introduced for the September 2027 intake.

The anticipated tuition for the MPAS program is approximately $20,000 CAD per year. Please note that tuition and fees remain subject to institutional and provincial approvals and may change prior to the start of the program.

Official tuition information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Applications will close on July 13, 2026. As a new program, the MPAS program must receive final provincial approval before admission offers can be issued.

The earliest anticipated date for admission offers is August 24, 2026, subject to final approvals.

Please note that the start date for this program is September 1, 2026.

Applicants will be notified as soon as decisions are available, and there will be a very short window for acceptance.

The program is in the process of applying for accreditation through EQual, Accreditation Canada's health professions accreditation program, which oversees accreditation for Canadian Physician Assistant education programs. The program will undergo its first accreditation cycle in advance of the inaugural cohort graduating.
Yes. Admitted students will be required to complete several mandatory clinical onboarding requirements prior to program entry and/or participation in clinical learning activities. Additional requirements may be communicated as part of the onboarding process.
No. Due to the intensity and condensed nature of the program, students should not plan to work while enrolled in the MPAS program. The program is a full-time medical education program with significant academic, clinical, and professional expectations, including daytime, evening, and potentially off-site learning activities.
In Year 1, all courses are delivered on campus and can be accessed via public transportation. In Year 2 (clerkship), personal transportation will be required.
Yes. The majority of the MPAS curriculum is delivered in person, and attendance is mandatory.

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