California state university monterey bay pa program prerequisites

Post-baccalaureate degree: Masters

Please note that CSULB does NOT have a Physician Assistant program. A list of programs offered at other institutions is available via the PAEA Program Directory.

Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs provide physical exams, order and administer tests, make diagnoses, and treat illnesses. PAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and surgical centers. They are qualified to practice in over 60 specialty areas.

Academic and Career Information - updated 2020 (PDF)

Minimum Prerequisites for Admission

The following are general prerequisites. Please consult the PAEA Program Directory for specific program requirements.

  • bachelor's degree
  • each program has its own prerequisites: check specific school for prerequisites details
  • general course prerequisites:
    • English, one year
    • general biology with lab, one year
    • general chemistry with lab, one year
    • anatomy and physiology
    • psychology and/or sociology
    • microbiology with lab
    • statistics
    • biochemistry with lab
    • medical terminology
  • clinical health care experience (direct patient contact experience), about 1000 hours

Tests Needed

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
    • Online GRE Registration
    • Required by most schools.

Application Service

  • Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

California Physician Assistant Schools

  • California Baptist University
  • California State University Monterey Bay
  • Chapman University
  • Charles R. Drew University
  • Dominican University of California
  • Loma Linda University
  • Marshall B. Ketchum University
  • Samuel Merritt College
  • Southern California University of Health Sciences
  • Stanford University
  • Touro University - California
  • University of California Davis
  • University of La Verne
  • University of the Pacific
  • University of Southern California
  • Western University of the Health Sciences

Explore ALL Physician Assistant Programs "The PAEA Program Directory is a valuable resource for prospective applicants and current PAEA members, used to find information about all PA programs in one place."

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  • Public

    4 year

  • 6,789

    Full + Part time Students

  • 1:23

    Faculty to Student Ratio

  • 10%

    Transfer Student Ratio

Cal State Monterey Bay provides over 7,000 students an extraordinary opportunity to learn on a residential campus just one mile from the shores of the beautiful Monterey Bay. Our diverse student body receives personal attention in small classes while pursuing degrees in 25 undergraduate and seven graduate majors. While we serve students from the entire state of California, 38 percent of our undergraduates come from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. We pride ourselves on making higher education accessible to traditionally underserved and low-income populations. Seventy-two percent of our students receive some form of financial aid.

Overview

Founded1994
Full-Time Undergraduate6,789
Transfer Students1,084
Programs25
Courses1,698
Equivalencies1,037 outgoing
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Financial Information

In-State Tuition$7,147
Out-of-State Tuition$19,027
Books and Supplies$3,372

Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a CA DREAM Act Application (CADAA). There are several different types of financial aid that you can receive including grants, scholarships, CSUMB awards, loans, and work-study.

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Information for Transfer In Students

Accepts Transfers:

Students must have 60 or more semester credits (90 quarter units) of transferable courses to apply for transfer admission. Cal State Monterey Bay is currently not accepting lower division transfer students.

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Transfer Application Requirements

Minimum GPA:

There is a minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for transfer applicants.

Official Transcripts:

Official college transcripts from all previously attended institutions are required. High school transcripts may be required of some applicants.

SAT Scores:

Standardized test scores may be required of some applicants.

Other Requirements:

A statement of good standing from prior institutions is required.

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Transfer Credit Policy

Minimum Grade:

The lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred is C-.

Credits (Min/Max):

A maximum of 70 semester units may be transferred from a two-year institution. You must complete 30 semester units of credit at Cal State Monterey Bay to earn a bachelor's degree.

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Virtual Tour

This new virtual tour option allows you to explore campus through an interactive map of Cal State Monterey Bay! Feel free to stroll through our beautiful outdoor learning environments, check out some brand new buildings, or visit the campus housing options.

Click here to take a virtual tour

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Last updated on 5/23/2022 by AcademyOne.

How long is the Monterey Bay PA program?

The MSPA program at CSUMB is a full-time, 28-month, year-round graduate program, consisting of 83 credit hours completed over 7 semesters.

Is CSUMB PA program accredited?

College of Health Sciences and Human Services The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Physician Assistant program.

Does CSU have a PA program?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are professional health care practitioners who expand quality and affordable care to diverse patient populations. The CSU currently has one Master of Science Physician Assistant (MSPA) program at CSU Monterey Bay.

Is Cal State Monterey Bay hard to get into?

California State University--Monterey Bay admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 93%. Half the applicants admitted to CSUMB have an SAT score between 1020 and 1203 or an ACT score of 21 and 29.