For additional information about applying to the Physician Assistant program, including admission requirements and an overview of the application process, please view the video.
Please note, some requirements and prerequisites were changed for applicants seeking admission for 2024 and beyond. Those specific requirements are noted.
Online applications for summer incoming classes in the Master of Health Services — Physician Assistant Studies Degree Program are available through Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications open each year in late April and close at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) Aug. 1.
Students applying for the physician assistant program must complete a Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application and meet selection criteria. Following that process, a select pool of qualified applicants will receive an invitation to apply to the UC Davis Graduate Studies application. All invited applicants must meet UC Davis graduate admissions requirements.
Admissions is competitive and decisions are made on an individual basis. Meeting some or all of the admission criteria does not guarantee admission into the program.
As described in the school’s Admissions Statement, the admissions committee is dedicated to a holistic admission process to consider the experiences, attributes and academic metrics of each applicant and to recognize their unique potential as a future clinician. The ultimate goal is to admit a culturally and cognitively diverse cohort of students for each program, whose interests are compatible with the Vision and Mission of the school in order to leverage the university’s strengths in interdisciplinary learning, innovative technology, state-of-the-art, evidence-based practice and transformative leadership.
The most competitive applicants possess unique backgrounds and attributes that align with the school’s values and experiences that help advance our mission and vision. Examples include students who:
Because a key target is to graduate highly qualified students that reflect the rich, diverse population of California, additional consideration is given to those who received childhood federal or state assistance, whose childhood was in an isolated county or rural area, and finally, those from Northern and Central California.
All prerequisites are required at the college level from an accredited school and must be included on the submitted transcript as part of the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application process. Prerequisites may not be in progress at the time of application submission. Each prerequisite is expected to be one full course, either a quarter or a semester, and a minimum of three units. Completion of prerequisite coursework from an accredited, online academic institution is acceptable. Advanced Placement scores awarded in high school do NOT fulfill prerequisites. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better:
*It is required that human anatomy and physiology are completed within five years of submitting an application (for those seeking 2024 enrollment and beyond).
**Physician assistant program applicants may complete a combined Human Anatomy and Human Physiology series course: Part I and Part II with labs. Series courses are offered in two parts and are completed over the course of two quarters or two semesters. Series courses must be completed in full and must include a lab component. If an applicant only completes one part of the series course, the student must additionally complete a course in either Human Anatomy or Human Physiology to fulfill the requirement. Mammalian or animal does not fulfill this requirement.
Visit the P.A. FAQ page for additional details about the physician assistant program requirements and prerequisites.
Information about financial support and aid for this program can be found on our central Financial Support page
Online applications for summer incoming classes in the Master of Health Services — Physician Assistant Studies Degree Program are available through Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications open each year in late April and close at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) Aug. 1.
Students applying for the physician assistant studies program must complete an application at Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and meet selection criteria. Following that process, a select pool of qualified applicants will receive an invitation to apply through the UC Davis Graduate Studies application. All invited applicants must meet UC Davis graduate admissions requirements.
An application and materials must have a ”complete” (all materials received and pending verification) or ”verified” application status by the deadline. For those who purchased CASPA’s Professional Transcript Entry Service (PTE), coursework entry must also be completed by CASPA and approved by the applicant prior to the deadline. It is the applicants' responsibility to monitor the status of their applications and application materials on a regular basis. CASPA does NOT notify applicants if applications are incomplete or documents are missing.
For additional application information, visit our P.A. FAQ page and the CASPA Applicant Help Center.
