Faculty of Health Sciences
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Prospective Students
Program Design
The PA Education Program is a two year course of study delivered over a 24 month period beginning in September. Year 1 will consist of clinical science courses delivered in the first twelve months. Year 2 will consist of clinical training delivered in the consecutive 12 month period.
Certification
Graduates will qualify to take the national physician assistant certification examination in order to practice in the province of Ontario.
Admission Requirements
By June 2012, applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of undergraduate work. A year is the full block of work specified for a year or level of the program as indicated on the university transcript and in the appropriate university calendar. If requested, applicants must provide evidence that this requirement has been met by June 30th of the year of entry. Only degree courses at an accredited university will be considered. A minimum of 10 full-courses or 20 half courses (two years) are required. Courses that employ small group, self-directed or inquiry learning are excellent preparation for the PA program however, there are no specific course requirements. There is no requirement for applicants to have carried a full course load. The program calculates a cumulative GPA for all undergraduate study. By February 1st, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall simple average of at least 3.0 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale for consideration. Higher grades may be required. OMSAS Scale
Students currently registered in a 2nd year program at university must provide an official interim transcript showing results for all courses from their first academic year and results from their current 1st semester of their second academic year. Additionally, all courses registered for their 2nd semester must be indicated on the official transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted and received by McMaster prior to the February 1st deadline.
By February 1st, applicants must have achieved an overall simple average of at least a 3.0 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale. While an overall simple average of at least 3.0 on the OMSAS 4.0 scale meets the minimal criterion for consideration for admission, prospective applicants should be aware that given the rapidly rising level of competition for a limited number of positions, a significantly higher GPA would provide them with a more reasonable chance of admission. Due to changes from year to year in the level of competitiveness, an exact figure in this regard cannot be provided.
Marks on supplementary and summer courses will be included in the grade point average calculation.
Graduate work will not be considered unless it is complete and the degree has been conferred by the application deadline, February 1st. Individual grades received for course work taken as part of a graduate degree will not be included in the calculation of the grade point average.
Upon acceptance, successful applicants will be required to provide detailed medical information, including a record of completion of required immunizations, evidence of Basic Cardiac Life Support certification (Adult and Child CPR) and a satisfactory Police Records Check (at the applicant’s expense) upon entering the program and annually thereafter.
Admission Procedures
Applicants are required to submit both:
- An application (including the appropriate fee) through the:
Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC)
170 Research Lane
Guelph, ON, N1G 5E2
- Supplementary Application
Both applications and all supporting documentation must be received by February 1st. Upon receipt of the application, supplementary application and certified transcripts, selected applicants will be invited to an interview.
Current McMaster University students:
If you are a current McMaster undergraduate student, you are not required to apply through OUAC. Contact the program office for more information about an internal transfer.
However, if you are a graduate or potential graduate, please complete the McMaster Returning Student Application online.
The admissions committee will consider:
- Transcripts and GPA
- Supplementary Application
- Interview - MMI
The Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI)
McMaster has always been an innovator in the field of medical education. The Multiple Mini-Interview, or MMI, is one example of how McMaster has approached an accepted process, like the traditional interview and revolutionalized it. Researchers at McMaster hypothesized that increasing the number of encounters for each interviewed applicant would lead to a more reliable assessment of the individual. This proved to be exactly the case. The MMI increases the overall reliability of the interview in judging an applicant's merits. It also dilutes the effect of a single misrepresentative showing by an applicant in any one interaction. Pioneered at McMaster in 2002, the MMI is currently being adopted at other schools across both Canada, the United States and internationally.
During the MMI, applicants will move between interview "stations" in a 12-station circuit. Each station lasts eight minutes and there is a two minute break between each one. At each station, applicants will interact with, or be observed by, a single rater. The stations deal with a variety of issues, which may include but are not limited to, communication, collaboration, ethics, health policy, critical thinking, awareness of society health issues in Canada and personal qualities. Applicants are not assessed on their scientific knowledge.
Supplementary Application
The Physician Assistant Education Program at McMaster uses a supplementary application to help assess applicants.
The supplementary application is currently unavailable. Access to the supplementary application will become available in the Fall.
Credentialling Non-Canadian Grades
Applicants with foreign (non-Canadian or US) transcripts should pay particular attention to this requirement. Possessing a transcript from a non-Canadian university is not sufficient.
Applicants who have not met minimum course number criteria utilizing their Canadian data and require inclusion of their international education data must have their foreign transcript assessed by World Education Services (WES).
Credentialling assessment means converting foreign academic credentials into their Ontario educational equivalents. The assessment is for PA program review only and a course-by course evaluation along with an overall GPA is required. Applicants must have their transcript(s) sent directly from their university to World Education Services and be able to prove (with dated letter and dated post office receipt) that an attempt was made to have the transcript issued by their university and sent to the registrar's office by February 1st. Those requiring WES assessment must also ensure that their transcripts are received by WES in time for their assessment to reach the registrar's office by February 1st.
**Please note — grades from foreign credentials will not be included for applicants who meet the minimum course number requirements with Canadian education.
All students must meet McMaster University's English language proficiency requirement for admission. English Language Proficiency Requirements
The Physician Assistant Education program is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only.
Application for Deferred Registration
Deferred registrations will not normally be granted in the PA Education Program. Deferred registration may be granted only under exceptional circumstances. Request for deferral must be submitted within two weeks of the offer of admission.
Advanced Standing/Transfer
The structure of the PA Education program requires that all students complete the entire program starting with Medical Foundation 1. There is no provision for advanced standing or transfer into the program.
Full-Time Status
The structure of the program requires that all students be registered in the program on a full-time basis and attendance in all components of the Program is mandatory.
Financial Information
Careful financial planning is required in order to participate in the program.
In 2011-2012 the tuition fee for a student in Year I of the PA Education Program is expected to be approximately $10,124.00 for a 12 month academic term, plus supplementary fees estimated at $1,000.00 per year.
Clinical experiences require students to provide their own reliable transportation. Throughout the program, students will be placed in more than one clinical placement. Due to limited placements it is likely students will need to relocate within Ontario. Travel and living expenses are the responsibility of the student.
Additional costs include books, diagnostic equipment and other learning resources estimated at $2,500.00.
There is a bursary program which has been developed by the University. Bursaries may be awarded to students who are Canadian citizens based on demonstrated financial need. Bursaries are intended to offset provincial financial assistance and cannot supplement the full cost of education. For further information, please contact the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at McMaster University.
If you are unable to find the answer to your question on the PA Program Webpage please email: paprogram@mcmaster.ca
