CANADIAN PA GUIDE FOR FALL 2027 INTAKEUniversity of Calgary Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
Overview admission requirements, deadlines and resources to help you apply.
Calgary, Alberta · Reviewed October 31, 2026
This guide summarizes published requirements; the PA Program’s official website remains the authoritative source for admissions decisions and changes.
Start HereCalgary MPAS Quick Links
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1. Apply for Fall 2027
Access official application instructions, and create your eID to start your submission.
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2. Check eligibility
Undergrad study, GPA, prerequisite courses, HCE hours & other admission criteria.
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3. Plan Your Application
Important dates for your application, references, Casper and interviews.
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4. Resources
Student perspectives, prep tools & applicant communities.
About Calgary MPAS
01 / PROGRAM OVERVIEWCalgary MPAS at a glance
Program Length
2 years
Applications Open
October 1, 2026
Delivery
In-Person
Format
Full-time
Class size
20 students
Next intake
September 2027
Year 1: Pre-Clerkship
Year 1 focuses on building the knowledge and clinical skills needed before entering full-time clinical training in Year 2.
Learning takes place through classroom instruction, simulation, and clinical observation experiences in both primary care and specialty settings.
The curriculum spans four terms (September to August) completing 45 units into three integrated course groups (~12 courses):
Year 2: Clerkship
Year 2 is dedicated to clinical training through 14 rotations completed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community settings across Alberta.
Rotations range from 2 to 4 weeks and are complemented by two longitudinal Foundations of Practice courses.
Post-Graduation
Step 1: Certification as a Physician Assistant
Graduates write Physician Assistant Certification Examination (PACE) through the Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC), granting their Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) designation.
Step 2: Register to Practice
PAs can practice in Canadian jurisdictions where the profession is regulated and recognized.
In Alberta, PAs must register with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) before practicing. Graduates planning to work in another province or territory must complete the registration process through the appropriate regulatory authority in that jurisdiction.
Step 3: Begin Clinical Practice
Once certified and registered, PAs can work across a wide range of healthcare settings, depending on provincial regulations, employer needs, and the individual PA/MD supervisory relationship.
PA Admissions
02 / Check eligibilityAdmission Requirements
Citizenship & Immigration Status
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person (refugee status).
Academic Requirements
A completed four-year bachelor's degree, with degree conferral by July 1
A minimum GPA of 3.20 out of 4.0 calculated in your last 60 units.
Human Anatomy & Human Physiology (3.0 units each, minimum B grade)
Health Care Experience Hours
Applicants must complete at least 500 hours of patient-facing healthcare experience in a clinical setting.
Calgary’s Healthcare Experience Guide also identifies other categories of experience applicants may report. Not all reported experience necessarily counts toward the 500-hour minimum
Proof of English Language Proficiency
Applicants who do not meet the university's English-language proficiency exemption criteria must provide acceptable evidence of proficiency.
Accepted Tests & Minimum Scores: TOEFL (105), IELTS (7.5), CAEL (70), PTE (75), Duolingo (145), or Cambridge C1/C2 with a score of 200.
The university also recognizes its Academic Communication Certificate, subject to the required grades.
Preferred Admissions Criteria
Calgary MPAS also outlines preferred admission criteria, which if you have is advantageous to your application but is not required to apply.
The program gives priority to candidates who are Alberta residents. You get this advantage if:
Candidates who have lived in Alberta (or NWT, Yukon, or Nunavut) continuously for at least 24 months at any point after turning 15. OR
Candidates who served 24 months on active duty with the Canadian Armed Forces (not reserves) or the RCMP for the 24 months right before the program starts.
03 / Plan your ApplicationKey Dates & Deadlines
Dates are for the Fall 2027 Intake. Dates listed here are subject to change. See the Calgary MPAS How to Apply Guide for detailed instructions.
📆 October 1, 2026 | Applications OpenApplications open October 1, 2026, through the UCalgary Graduate Studies Portal.
Submit transcripts, 2 professional references, a 500-word personal essay, and a supplemental Qualtrics questionnaire
📆 JANUARY 21, 2027 | Last Casper Test DateThe Casper test must be completed by January 21, 2027.
Results sent directly to Calgary MPAS.
📆 JANUARY 22, 2027 · 11:59 PM MT | ApplicationS DUESubmit your application and all required supporting materials.
📆 JANUARY 29, 2027 · 11:59 PM MT | Reference DeadlineProfessional reference forms are due by January 29, 2027 at 11:59 PM MT.
📆 APRIL + MAY 2027 | PA SCHOOL INTERVIEW SEASONInterview invites are sent early April 2027
Online Multiple Mini interviews (MMIs) take place May 2027.
📆 LATE MAY 2027 | Admission Offers RELEASEDAdmission decisions (accepted, rejected, or waitlisted) are anticipated in late May.
04 / admission statisticsApplicant Stats & Cohort Profiles
Calgary MPAS has published their MPAS Admission statistics for both applicants and accepted students, offering insight into the academic profiles of each entering class.
These numbers are intended as a guide and are not reflective of benchmark for admissions. Meeting or exceeding these averages does not guarantee an interview or acceptance.
Admissions decisions are made using a holistic review process that considers many factors beyond published statistics (e.g. GPA, # of HCE hours), including application materials and interview performance.
Learn More
Pre-PA Communities
Prep Guides
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Application Prep Guides
HEAR FROM STUDENTS & ALUMNIPodcast Interviews
INCOMING CLASS STATISTICSPA Student Infographics
