CANADIAN PA GUIDEUniversity of Toronto Master of Physician Assistant Studies
An overview of PA admission requirements, deadlines and resources to help you apply.
Last reviewed November 2, 2026.
This guide summarizes published requirements; the PA Program’s official website remains the authoritative source for admissions decisions and changes.
Start HereUofT 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.
01 / CALGARY MPASProgram Overview
Get to know the Calgary MPAS: where the program began, how students learn, and what the two-year training pathway involves.
A newer program, built around a familiar model of medical training
The University of Calgary welcomed its first MPAS cohort in 2024, adding a new pathway into the physician assistant profession in Western Canada. Based in the Cumming School of Medicine, the two-year program brings together foundational medical learning and supervised clinical experience.
Students begin by building their knowledge of disease, clinical assessment and patient care, then apply that learning during rotations across a range of practice areas. It is a demanding progression: from learning how to approach a clinical problem to contributing to care as part of a healthcare team.
Program Structure
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YEAR 01 · PA-S1
Medical Foundations
Four terms · 45 units · classroom learning, simulation and clinical observation.
PA Fundamentals
Diagnosis and management of common and complex medical conditions across the lifespan.
Foundations of Practice
Professionalism, ethics, health equity, teamwork, patient advocacy and the PA role.
Clinical Skills
Clinical assessment, examinations, procedures and patient care skills.
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YEAR 02 · PA-S2
Clerkship
Supervised clinical rotations in community, hospital and specialty settings.
Core rotations
Urban Family Medicine + Selective
Rural Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Psychiatry
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Internal Medicine + Selective
Paediatrics + Selective
General Surgery + Selective
Elective rotations
Acute Care
Medicine
Surgery
Primary Care
Coursework
Foundations of Practice
02 / Check eligibilityAdmission Requirements
Preferred, Not requiredPreferred Admissions Criteria
Calgary gives priority to candidates who have lived in Alberta, NWT, Yukon or Nunavut continuously for at least 24 months after age 15, or who meet the outlined Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP service criteria.
03 / APPLYING TO CALGARY MPASAdmissions Process
What to prepare, how to submit, and when each step is due.
Prepare your Application Package
Gather these materials before submitting through the UCalgary Graduate Studies portal. View the Calgary MPAS Application Guide for more detailed instructions.
04 / CURRENT STUDENTS & ALUMNIApplicant Statistics
Explore previous admissions cycles, class profiles and student experiences.
Statistics describe past cohorts and are intended as a guide. Meeting or exceeding these averages does not guarantee an interview or acceptance. View the Calgary MPAS Admission Stats page.
Interview invites and acceptances are based on holistic review, not published statistics alone.
GPA is based on UCalgary Grading System.
Student Demographics
05 / More SupportApplicant Resources
Free planning tools, clear explanations of admissions terminology, community connections and answers to common questions.
Explore Admission Guides
Connect with the PA Community
Get perspective from fellow applicants and PA students. Explore discussions, share experiences, and learn what to ask as you prepare.
Find PA applicant & student discussions
Find PA applicant & student discussions