MPA - Master of Physician Assistant - Texas

Program Mission Statement

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.

Program Vision Statement

The West Coast University MPA Program seeks to be an innovative leader in PA education by offering the medical community intelligent and talented clinical providers who are well-prepared for the rapidly evolving, challenging, and ambiguous nature of contemporary healthcare.

Tools for Today’s Students

At WCU, our goal is to help you build both the skills and the confidence required to be an effective physician assistant. That’s why our Physician Assistant program in Texas is designed to deliver a variety of innovative, hands-on learning experiences.

• Physician Assistant Center for Advanced Immersive Learning for comprehensive, collaborative, and clinical preparation exercises
• Immersive learning resources that include virtual dissection, augmented reality, and advanced 3D experiential platforms
• Simulation room equipped with high-fidelity manikins that mimic real-life physical functions
• Patient exam rooms for students to practice history taking, physical examination, and communication skills
• Real-world clinical experience with preceptors at our partner medical and hospital facilities

One-on-One Support

From the admissions process until beyond your last day of class, WCU aims to give you the support you need to earn your MPA degree. These are just some of the teams and resources available to you as a WCU student.

• Financial Aid – Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Our dedicated financial aid advisors can help you find the funding option that’s right for you.
• Clinical Team – Completing your clinical hours is an important part of your education, which is why our clinical team is available to help you find clinical sites.
• NCCPA Board Preparation – Get help preparing for your licensure exam to become a physician assistant.

Support Beyond Graduation

West Coast University supports its MPA students beyond the last day of class. We are committed to helping our graduates throughout their careers. Through our Career Services Department, we provide ongoing assistance with professional and career development through workshops and guidance for our students and graduates of the MPA program in Texas.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

• Medical Knowledge: Demonstrate acquisition of core medical knowledge to provide person-centric care for patients across the lifespan and in various clinical settings
• Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities: Evaluate a patient effectively during a medical encounter through the proper selection and accurate interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic studies
• Formulate a differential diagnosis based upon historical information, physical exam, laboratory, and diagnostic study findings
• Design person-centric patient therapeutic management plans that consider cost, efficacy, possible adverse reactions, contraindications, monitoring, and referrals
• Apply an evidence-based medicine approach that also considers the social determinants of health in patient care decisions
• Clinical and Technical Skills: Elicit an accurate and pertinent medical history from patients
• Perform a comprehensive or problem-focused physical exam adapted to the patient’s age and care needs
• Perform medical and surgical procedures common to general medicine
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrate interpersonal skills necessary to communicate clearly and effectively with patients/family members, and members of healthcare teams
• Communicate the findings of a clinical encounter in appropriate and effective written and oral forms
• Deliver evidence-based education and counseling to patients, and their family members regarding patient evaluation and care that includes principles of preventive care, public health, and health literacy
• Professional Behaviors: Demonstrate professionalism including principles of sensitivity, respect, collaboration, accountability, cultural humility, and commitment to excellence in all interactions with patients, families, and members of the healthcare teams

Program Admission Requirements

A student applying for admission to the Master of Physician Assistant-Texas Program at West Coast University (WCU) must:

1. Submit a completed application to WCU through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
2. Pay a non-refundable $75 application fee through WCU.
3. Submit original transcripts for all previous higher education through CASPA.
4. Meet all program-specific requirements by the application deadline to be considered.
5. Participate in an admissions interview, if invited.
6. If admitted, complete and sign the Enrollment Agreement to secure placement in the program.

Program specific application requirements

1. 1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. All references to accreditation of prior education for purposes of admission are defined to require institutional accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
   2. Complete all aspects of the CASPA application including the personal statement and program specific questions. Personal statements are scored. Preference is given based on quality of writing.
      1. List all college coursework taken in CASPA.
      2. Submit three letters of recommendation. These letters of recommendations must be able to provide feedback regarding your preparation for a profession in medicine including professionalism, work ethic, ethics and character, and academic preparation. Letters of recommendation must come from: medical providers (MDs, DOs, PAs, etc), professors, supervisors/employers, and mentors. Letters must not come from personal contacts such as family members, neighbors, personal medical providers, and religious leaders. Letters of recommendation are scored. Preference is given to candidates who have letters that provide clear evidence of likelihood of success in a healthcare-related field.
   3. Submit results of CASPer for non-academic attributes and/or people skills. acuityinsights.com. Preference is given to higher CASPer scores.
   4. Meet the Technical Standards for admissions as follows:
      1. Candidates must be able to observe and participate in demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.
      2. Candidates must have sufficient use of the sensory, vision, hearing, motor, and somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination including point-of-care techniques.
      3. Candidates must be able to perform examination activities such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, and the movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the sense of touch and vision.
      4. Candidates must be able to learn to respond with precise, quick, and appropriate action in emergency situations.
      5. Candidates must have the interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with accuracy, clarity, efficiency, and sensitivity.
      6. Candidates must have the skills to be able to analyze and synthesize information, solve problems, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
      7. Candidates must be able to acknowledge evaluation and respond appropriately.
      8. Candidates must possess the interpersonal skills to develop rapport and positive relationships with patients.
      9. Candidates must possess basic technology and digital literacy.
      10. Candidates are expected to possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the PA program curriculum. Candidates, therefore, must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, to function effectively under stress, to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.
   5. Pre-admission academic standards:
      1. Have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution located within the United States.
      2. Documented prior earned cumulative grade point average (cGPA) of 3.0 or higher and a Biology/Chemistry/Physics (BCP) grade point average of 2.7 or better as calculated by CASPA. Competitive candidates exceed the minimum GPA.
      3. A minimum number of healthcare experience hours are not required for admittance into the program. However, a point value for paid healthcare experience, shadowing, and volunteerism is assigned during application review. It is to an applicant’s best interest to pursue 500 hours or more to be a competitive candidate. All completed healthcare experience must be listed in the “Health Related Experience” or “Patient Care Experience” sections of the CASPA application in order to be included within the application review.
      4. Must earn a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses and they must have been completed within the last ten years.
      5. Baccalaureate degree and prerequisite courses must be completed no later than October 1 of the year prior to matriculation.
      6. For prerequisite courses, pass/no credit, CLEP or credit for experiential learning will not be accepted.
   6. Applicants for the Master of Physician Assistant-Texas program must have completed prerequisite coursework at an accredited institution in the United States, including coursework completed via distance education. The MPA program does not accept foreign degrees or prerequisite coursework from foreign institutions.
   7. Required Prerequisite Courses:
      1. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits) OR
         Human Anatomy with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits) AND Human Physiology with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
      2. General Chemistry I and II with lab (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits)
      3. Microbiology with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
      4. Genetics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
      5. Organic Chemistry with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
      6. Statistics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)

Applicant Selection Factors

While meeting minimum requirements makes you eligible for review, it does not guarantee an interview or offer for admission. We use a structured admissions process focused on readiness to thrive in a rigorous, team-based graduate-level MPA program.

In addition to academic readiness, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate:

• Compelling understanding of the PA profession
• Strong, graduate-level writing
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Maturity & professionalism
• Passion, commitment, and tenacity/resilience
• A growth mindset and appetite for learning
• Openness to feedback and teamwork
• Technology fluency for a fast-paced, digitally enabled program
• Proven success in a healthcare related setting
• Reflection and self-awareness
• Embodies the spirit of WCU–Texas values and culture

Your chances for admission may be lower if your application is incomplete, late, or not instruction-compliant (e.g., missing or outdated prerequisites); if academics are weak or less competitive; if letters of recommendation are not from acceptable sources or raise concerns; if writing is not skillfully written or error-prone; or if you show unprofessional behavior at any stage of the interview process. Limited understanding of the PA role or documented academic/professional misconduct or legal issues can also negatively affect your application.

Program Interview

Interview invitations are extended to the most competitive applicants for admission. Candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted by email. Declining an invitation or failing to appear for a scheduled interview will result in rejection of the application. Approximately 150-250 selected applicants will be invited for an interview annually. Interviews currently take place from July to November, but interviews may end sooner if the class is filled. Exact dates will be communicated to candidates with an offer to interview.

Interviewees will be evaluated on their performance on the following interview activities: individual interview, group interview (activity), writing sample (essay), and video introduction.

Early submission of a candidate’s application can increase the chances of interview selection. Interview results are confidential.

Offers of Admission

The MPA program may make offers of admission within one month following the first interview date. Offers will be continuously made until the class is filled.

Candidates who interview fall into one of three categories based on a predefined interview scoring rubric:

• Accept: Candidates are formally offered a seat in the WCU Texas MPA Program within one month of the completion of their interview.
• Alternate List: Candidates are formally notified by email within one month of the completion of their interviews. Any remaining seats are offered to candidates on the alternate list after interviews have been completed for the current CASPA cycle.
• No Accept: Candidates are notified of the decision within one month following their interview.

Program Pre-Requisites

1. Applicants for the Master of Physician Assistant-Texas program must have completed prerequisite coursework at an accredited institution in the United States, including coursework completed via distance education. The MPA program does not accept foreign degrees or prerequisite coursework from foreign institutions.
2. Required Prerequisite Courses:
   1. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits) OR
      Human Anatomy with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits) AND Human Physiology with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
   2. General Chemistry I and II with lab (6 semester credits or 8 quarter credits)
   3. Microbiology with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
   4. Genetics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
   5. Organic Chemistry with lab (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)
   6. Statistics (3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits)

Program Transfer Policy

Transfer Credit Policy

The Master of Physician Assistant-Texas program does not award transfer credit. The entire program curriculum must be taken and completed at WCU.

Breakdown of Credits

Master of Physician Assistant Program Licensure Disclosure
A PA may not begin working as a Physician Assistant in most states until he/she has successfully passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and has been licensed/registered by the state in which they practice. There may be exceptions for certain state licensures or for federal employment, such as the military and Veterans Administration. Failure to complete all necessary steps may constitute practicing medicine without a medical license. Upon graduation, students are responsible for ensuring they obtain all required licenses and certifications. West Coast University is not responsible for registration or licensing; the student is solely responsible for all such requirements and verifying proper authorizations to practice medicine have been obtained.

Successful completion requires that the applicant achieve the passing score established by the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants (NCCPA) for that examination. The program supports all graduates who have passed the PANCE exam in their application for state licensure, not including payment. It is the student’s responsibly to research and understand all state specific licensure requirements, beyond the educational requirements of the MPA program. The MPA program has verified that the state educational requirements have been met in each state identified in the Professional Licensure disclosures.

Candidate Seat Deposit
Applicants are conditionally accepted to the Master of Physician Assistant program until a non-refundable $1000.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit has been submitted. The Seat Deposit is not a separate charge but will be credited to the program costs should the student not cancel their enrollment. The University will retain the full amount of this deposit should the student cancel their enrollment at any time, for any reason. Seat Deposits may be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier’s check made payable to West Coast University. A Seat Deposit will be collected for each enrollment and cannot be applied to or carried over to enrollments for other programs or start terms. At their discretion, the Executive Director may refund the full Seat Deposit for unusual or unexpected circumstances that would warrant a full refund.

Residency Requirement

Non-U.S. Citizen Applicants

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S. must be prepared to provide proof of legal U.S. residency during the application and enrollment process. Applicants must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to any offer of acceptance.

Health Insurance Requirement

WCU MPA students are required to maintain and be able to document health insurance throughout the entirety of the program. The student will provide their medical insurance card if treatment is needed. Students are also responsible for the costs associated with any medical treatment needed, including but not limited to health evaluation following exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other communicable diseases or other accidental injuries sustained during the program. MPA students are responsible for all personal healthcare costs incurred while enrolled in the program. Personal healthcare costs may include fees related to immunizations, tuberculosis screenings, and laboratory or diagnostic studies.

Students must upload the front and back of their insurance card to Exxat. The student’s name must be on the card, unless the student is a dependent or is not the primary insured. In this case, the student must provide documentation that proves they are a plan member on the identified health plan held by the person identified on the insurance card. If a student is in the process of changing or securing new insurance, they may request an extension of time. Requests must be submitted in writing via email to the MPA Dean/Program Director or designee for approval, which shall be granted at their sole discretion.

Program Dismissal Policy

A Physician Assistant student will be dismissed from the program if:

1. A grade of “C” or lower is received in any course.
2. The minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for each trimester is not met.
3. An incomplete grade is unresolved or results in a grade of “C” or lower.
4. Withdraws from one or more classes.
5. The maximum number of semester/trimester credit units to complete the program is exceeded.

Any violation of policy, particularly where dismissal is identified as a consequence, may result in dismissal from the program.

Program Graduation Requirements

Graduation from the MPA Texas program is predicated on student fulfillment of satisfactory grade point average, professional conduct, and completion of Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences.

MPA Texas Program Graduation Requirements

• Achieve a grade of 76% or better for all courses in the program.
• Achieve a minimum cumulative overall (cGPA) of 3.0
• Successfully pass all components of the program’s Summative Evaluation
• Be recommended for graduation by the Program Director.
• Complete the Application for Graduation Form.

Additional Program-Specific Policies or Requirements

Advanced Placement Policy

Advanced placement is defined as a waiver of required professional coursework in the MPA program, and will not be granted under any circumstance. All students who enter the program must fulfill all program requirements. All courses within the curriculum are required. No transfer credit is accepted. No credit is granted for pre-admission experiential learning, prior coursework, degrees, certifications, or advanced training.

Applicants with Degrees Earned Outside the United States

The WCU MPA-Texas Program will not accept foreign degree coursework or degrees to meet eligibility requirements for pre-requisite coursework or baccalaureate degree.

MPA Texas Program Requirements

To matriculate and remain enrolled in the MPA Texas Program, students must meet all of the following requirements by published deadlines and maintain compliance throughout enrollment:

1. Complete all required background clearance(s) with results deemed acceptable by the program, University, and assigned clinical sites.
2. Complete all required drug screening(s) with results that meet program, University, and clinical site requirements.
3. Comply with the Bloodborne Pathogens Policy and Exposure Control Plan during all program-related instructional, laboratory, simulation, and clinical activities.
4. Submit required documentation of immunizations, vaccinations, and tuberculosis clearance by published deadlines and maintain compliance throughout enrollment. Lapses, expirations, or failure to meet clinical site requirements may result in delayed progression or removal from clinical activities.
5. Provide and maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
6. Acknowledge and accept that instructional, laboratory, and clinical hours and days will vary by trimester and clinical assignment.
7. Acknowledge and accept that trimester and clinical schedules are final and non-negotiable. Refusal of an assigned clinical placement will result in dismissal from the program and University.

*Information regarding timelines, submission procedures, and verification processes is provided during the application process and at program orientation.

For purposes of these requirements, “acceptable” means verified, current, and approved by the program, University, and/or required clinical partners.

MPA Curriculum

The Master of Physician Assistant Program – Texas is a full-time, on-ground, 24-month graduate program that consists of 117 semester credit hours completed over six consecutive trimesters.

Physician Assistant Courses

Note: The order of PA 600, PA 603, PA 606, PA 615, PA 618, PA 621, PA 630, PA 633, and PA 636 are scheduled in 5-week blocks throughout trimesters 4, 5, and 6 and may differ in sequence for each student, but all must be completed to meet graduation requirements.

Program Goals Metrics and Benchmarks

Leadership

Develop student passion for leading in the delivery of team-based compassionate care evidenced by a commitment to learning, service, collaboration, and resiliency.

How: Audit of the student portfolio for participation in community service or leadership opportunities.  Annual faculty survey assessing the cohort’s demonstration of commitment to learning, collaboration, and resiliency. The student audit of participation portion of this goal may be met by either community service or leadership opportunities to allow students flexibility in how they engage to support the goal. The metric is aligned consistently and is reported as the combined percentage of students who have participated in community service or leadership.

The WCU MPA Program strives for 90% of students that have completed a community-service or leadership opportunity prior to graduation, and that 90% of faculty responses reflect that the cohort demonstrates commitment to learning, collaboration, and resiliency.

Data:

Class of 2023: 100% of the graduating class completed a community-service or leadership opportunity prior to graduation. 90% of faculty responses rated the cohort as demonstrating commitment to learning, collaboration, and resiliency.

Class of 2024: 100% of the graduating class completed a community-service or leadership opportunity prior to graduation. 100% of faculty responses rated the cohort as demonstrating commitment to learning, collaboration, and resiliency.

Collaboration and Accountability

Create physician assistant clinical leaders who are entry-level practice-ready and can serve as part of the healthcare team. The PA faculty set a benchmark for 90% of eligible graduates to be employed as PAs within one year of graduation. The program defines “eligible” as students who have graduated from the program and passed the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE).

How: Graduate data from Career Services.

The WCU Master of Physician Assistant Program strives to have 90% of graduates employed as a Physician Assistant within one year of graduation.

Data:

Class of 2023: 97.5% placement rate

Class of 2024: Data available in 2026

Competency

Prepare graduates for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE), who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for excellent medical practice.

How: Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) first-time taker pass rate.

The WCU MPA Program strives to have a PANCE first- time pass rate equal to or greater than the national average. The five-year first-time test taker summary report will be uploaded here upon completion of the PANCE by our first cohort.

Data: PANCE Exam Performance Summary

Innovation and Student Centricity

Provide an academic and clinical curriculum that delivers an innovative and student-centric program experience to engage students’ full capacity as learners that leads to program completion.

How: Program Exit Survey data.

The WCU MPA Program strives for 90% of students graduating from the program and 90% of respondents on the program Exit Survey rate the program as innovative and student centric.

Data:

Class of 2023: 98% of students graduated from the program

96% of students rated the program as innovative
98% of students rated the program as student centric

Class of 2024: 92% of students graduated from the program

100% of students rated the program as innovative
100% of students rated the program as student centric

Physician Assistant National Certifying Examinations

Five-year First-Time Test Taker Summary Report

View Report

WCU MPA TX Program Attrition Table

How Much Does The Master of Physician Assistant, Texas Program Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of the Master of Physician Assistant, Texas Program’s tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the program costs in the Master of Physician Assistant, Texas at West Coast University.

We offer several financial aid options – including scholarships, grants, and loan access – to help support you through your studies.

For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Estimated Cost of Attendance is comprised of both direct costs and indirect costs, as outlined in the charts below. The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates and are categorized as follows: (1) Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program; (2) Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.

Direct Costs

Indirect Costs

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the West Coast University, Texas Physician Assistant Program sponsored by West Coast University.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-west-coast-university/.

You can find a list of our program administrators and full-time faculty members on the online catalog.