Welcome to the Canadian PA Guide on McMaster BHScPA
Last updated July 26, 2026.
This is not an official McMaster University BHScPA resource. Information is updated when available, but always verify details on the Official Program Website.
PA PROGRAMS > ONTARIOMcMaster University
Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies (BHScPA)
McMaster University’s Physician Assistant Education Program (PAEP) was founded in 2008. It is a 24-month, full-time degree program that combines a year of clinical sciences coursework with a year of supervised clinical rotations across Ontario.
University
Degree
Location-
Address:
Physician Assistant Education Program
McMaster University
Health Sciences Centre (HSC), Room 4H31A
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON L8S 4K1Email:
paprogram@mcmaster.caFax:
905-527-0131 -
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2 years
Duration
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53 students
Class size
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$12,000 CAD/year
Tuition
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September
Start Date
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Full Time, In-Person
Format
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Accreditation
EQual of Accreditation Canada.
APPLY TO MCMASTER BHSCPAPA Admissions Guide
MCMASTER BHSCPA > ADMISSIONSAdmission Requirements
StatusUndergraduate Study
Minimum GPA
Prerequisite Courses
Health Care ExperienceMcMaster’s PA program requires a minimum of two years of completed undergraduate university and a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the OMSAS 4.0 scale.
There are no specific prerequisite courses, and you don’t need prior healthcare experience to apply.
This means the program is open to students from any undergraduate background who meet the GPA and education requirements.
MCMASTER BHSCPA > ADMISSIONSPA Admission Process
Application Portal
Supporting Documents
REFERENCES
Pre-Interview Assessments
Final InterviewStep 1: OUAC Application
Submit your application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) portal by January 15.
Step 2: McMaster Application Portal
Send all required documentation through the McMaster Application Portal by February 1. This includes transcripts and any other materials McMaster requests.
Step 3: Supplementary Application
Submit McMaster’s supplementary application by late February. There is a $140 assessment fee.
Step 4: Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI)
If selected, you’ll receive an invitation by mid-April to participate in a virtual MMI. The interview takes place on a Saturday in early May and uses the Kira talent platform. You’ll respond to video and written prompts covering communication, collaboration, ethics, critical thinking, and health policy. Medical knowledge is not required to perform well on the MMI.
Step 5: Admission Decision
McMaster releases offers of admission at the end of May.
MCMASTER BHSCPA > ADMISSIONSKey Application Dates
Application Deadline
Final Interviews
PROGRAM STARTThe McMaster PA application timeline runs from January through May. You'll submit your OUAC application by January 15, then complete your McMaster Application Portal submission by February 1. Your supplementary application follows by late February, which includes a $140 assessment fee.
If you’re selected to interview, McMaster will email invitations by mid-April for a virtual Multiple Mini-Interview scheduled on a Saturday in early May. You’ll respond to video and written prompts on the Kira talent platform covering topics like communication, ethics, and critical thinking.
Offers of admission are released at the end of May, and the program begins in September.
PROGRAM OVERVIEWAbout McMaster’s BHScPA Program
About
UniversityDegreeLocation
Length
DeliveryMcMaster launched Ontario’s first Physician Assistant program in 2008. The university pioneered problem-based learning in medical education and brings that same approach to the PA program.
he 24-month curriculum emphasizes small group learning, interprofessional collaboration, and broad clinical exposure to prepare graduates for adaptable, skilled practice in diverse healthcare settings.
Year 1 focuses on clinical sciences through problem-based learning tutorials, clinical skills training, professional competencies, medical simulations, and early clinical exposure in healthcare settings. Year 2 consists of 48 weeks of supervised clinical rotations across core specialties and electives throughout Ontario, allowing students to build practical experience under physician supervision.
The program is accredited by EQual of Accreditation Canada and achieves a 99% pass rate on the National Certification Exam, reflecting the quality of education delivered.
MCMASTER BHSCPA > AboutYear 1: Pre-Clerkship
McMaster’s PA program uses a 48-week integrated curriculum divided into three Medical Foundations (MF1, MF2 and MF3). Rather than taking separate courses, students learn through problem-based learning (PBL) with 4 streams running at the same time: PBL tutorials, Interviewing, Examination and Reasoning (IER), Professional Competencies (ProComp) and Early Clinical Exposure.
Medical Foundation 1b(September to December) covers cell biology, oncology, immunology and the respiratory, cardiovascular and renal systems. At the same time, you'll build core clinical skills including communication, history taking, physical examination and an understanding of the PA role and healthcare system.
Medical Foundation 2(January to April) focuses on hematology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and reproductive health. IER builds on system-specific physical exam skills while ProComp introduces medical ethics and clinical decision making.
Medical Foundation 3 (May to August) covers musculoskeletal, neurological and behavioural medicine. IER expands to more complex communication skills such as conflict resolution, negotiating with patients and delivering difficult news. ProComp focuses on standards of care, relevant legislation and resource allocation.
Throughout the year, students also participate in anatomy labs, simulation sessions, large group learning, interprofessional education and early clinical placements.
MCMASTER BHSCPA > AboutYear 2: Clerkship
Year 2 consists of 48 weeks of clinical rotations. During this year, students apply the knowledge and clinical skills developed in Year 1 while participating in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of real patients.
The first 40 weeks are dedicated to required core rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, paediatrics, emergency medicine, and geriatrics. These rotations provide broad clinical exposure across primary care and major medical specialties, with each placement lasting between 2 and 12 weeks depending on the discipline.
The remaining 8 weeks consist of elective rotations, allowing students to gain additional experience in specialties aligned with their interests and career goals. Elective placements are arranged through McMaster's clinical placement network based on student preferences and site availability.
Clinical placements are located throughout Ontario, including Hamilton, St. Catharines, Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto, and surrounding communities. Students are responsible for arranging transportation and accommodations for placements outside their home community.
By the end of Year 2, students have completed supervised training across multiple clinical settings and developed the competencies required for entry into clinical practice as a Physician Assistant.
McMaster BHScPAPost-Graduation
Graduates of McMaster’s PA program are eligible to challenge the Physician Assistant Certification Examination (PACE) through the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC).
Successful candidates earn the Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) designation and can pursue practice in settings such as:
Primary care clinics
Emergency departments
Hospitals
Surgical services
Specialty clinics
Rural and community healthcare settings
Graduates can pursue job opportunities in any province or territory where PAs are recognized and regulated.
APPLY TO MCMASTER BHSCPAApplicant Resources
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01. Pre-PA Community Chats
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02. Application Prep Guides
MCMASTER PAEPPodcast Interviews
with McMaster PA Graduates
with McMaster PA STUDENTS
MCMASTER BHSCPAMcMaster PA Student Infographics
Information in these infographics are collected by by MPASA through anonymous survey and is not associated with the official PA Admissions committee or McMaster PAEP Program office.
