About the program
The California Baptist University PA program is described in PAEA's published program data; full curriculum details, faculty, and admissions cycle specifics are maintained on the program's own website.
From the program's mission statement: "California Baptist University believes each person has been created for a purpose. CBU helps students understand and engage this purpose by providing a Christ-centered educational experience that integrates academics with spiritual and social development opportunities. Graduates are challenged to become individuals whose skills, integrity and sense of purpose glorify God and distinguish them in the workplace and in the world."
CBU's PA program features new PA Studies facilities that mirror real clinical settings, giving students space to study, collaborate, and build skills. Through community service and on-campus work, students refine patient care and bedside manner under faculty guidance. Its strong hands-on approach is reflected in a high first-time PANCE pass rate.
Matriculant data
Actual stats for students who enrolled in the most recently reported cohort, sourced from PAEA's published program data.
Admission policies
Out-of-state applicants are accepted. International applicants: yes. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement
Program overview
California Baptist University offers a 24-month MSPAS program in Riverside, California, with continued ARC-PA accreditation and an incoming class of approximately 60 students. The program operates within an explicitly Christian institutional mission, integrating academic preparation with spiritual and social development. Graduates are expected to bring technical competency alongside a faith-informed sense of purpose and integrity to their professional practice, so applicants who are comfortable in a Christ-centered university environment will find the clearest fit here.
The curriculum is organized around case-based and organ/systems-based learning with an emphasis on collaborative, team-based work and early clinical exposure. CBU has invested in dedicated PA studies facilities designed to replicate real clinical settings, and students engage in community service and on-campus patient care activities under faculty supervision, reinforcing bedside manner and clinical reasoning throughout the didactic phase. The program points to a strong first-time PANCE pass rate as evidence that its hands-on approach translates to board readiness.
Admissions standards are moderately competitive. Matriculants average a 3.74 overall GPA and a 3.68 science GPA, though the program's minimums are set at 3.20 overall, 3.00 science, and 3.00 prerequisite GPA. Applicants must complete at least 1,000 hours of paid direct patient care before matriculation - unpaid or observational hours do not satisfy this requirement. Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology with lab (4 credits), and microbiology with lab (4 credits), with no stated time limit on when those courses were completed. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants and does not offer part-time or distance learning options.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of January 15, 2027, for the September 2027 cohort; submitting early meaningfully improves the chances of securing an interview slot. Three letters of reference are required. Interviews are conducted onsite and may take the form of a traditional, panel, or group format. The seat deposit is $1,000, and total tuition is $133,168 with no separate in-state or out-of-state rate differential.
Applicants should weigh this program primarily on whether the faith-integrated mission aligns with their personal values, whether their paid patient care hours meet the 1,000-hour threshold, and whether their GPA profile sits comfortably at or above the matriculant averages.