About the program
The Samuel Merritt 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: "The Master Physician Assistant Department at Samuel Merritt University strives to serve the University and the medical community by preparing graduates who are interdependent medical providers, demonstrate commitment to the community and the profession through active leadership, manifest critical and creative thinking, utilize effective communication skills, and who possess the educational foundation for continued growth and development in a changing world of diverse cultures."
The faculty of the Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant (PA) program places significant importance on the admission process. We believe that recruiting high-quality candidates who will actively engage in graduate medical education and honor the responsibility placed on a healthcare provider is imperative to the success of our graduates and our institution. To this end, the PA faculty has identified core values that will be evaluated in all candidates for admission to our program.
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, with exceptions. please visit the program's website. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. Transfer students are accepted. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 5 Years
Program overview
Samuel Merritt University offers a 27-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies program based in California, holding ARC-PA Continued accreditation and accepting its next cohort starting July 2027, with applications due by September 1, 2026. The program reviews all applications after the deadline passes rather than on a rolling basis, so submitting early offers no procedural advantage, though applicants should still plan accordingly to meet that hard cutoff.
The program draws applicants who are competitive academically and clinically seasoned. Matriculants typically arrive with an overall GPA around 3.57 and a science GPA near 3.55, though the program sets its floor at 3.00 for both. More notably, the program requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of paid direct patient care - not just healthcare exposure, but compensated hands-on work. This is a meaningful bar that filters out candidates still building clinical experience, and it signals the faculty's stated priority of recruiting candidates who already understand the weight of responsibility that comes with patient care.
The curriculum blends multiple pedagogical approaches, including problem-based, case-based, organ and systems-based, and collaborative team learning, with some asynchronous and hybrid elements. This variety suits learners who adapt well to active, discussion-driven formats rather than passive lecture. The mission emphasizes interdependence, community commitment, leadership, critical thinking, communication, and readiness for a diverse, evolving healthcare environment - themes likely reflected in how candidates are evaluated throughout admissions.
Speaking of admissions, the faculty has articulated that core values play a central role in candidate selection. The interview process is notably multifaceted, incorporating traditional, panel, group, MMI, and scenario room formats - an unusually broad set that suggests the program is rigorously assessing interpersonal skills, ethical reasoning, and real-time problem-solving alongside academic preparation. Both the PA-CAT and CASPer are required standardized components, and applicants must submit at least three letters of reference. Prerequisites must have been completed within the past five years, covering general chemistry, biology, human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and statistics - all at four credits except statistics at three.
The incoming class is capped at 44 students. Total tuition is $172,211 with a $1,500 seat deposit; there are no separate tuition rates for in-state versus out-of-state applicants. The program accepts out-of-state and international students, though international applicants should review the program website for specific conditions. There is no part-time option and no distance learning component, meaning full-time, on-site commitment is expected throughout the 27 months.
Applicants should judge fit primarily by whether their paid patient care hours meet the 2,000-hour threshold and whether they are prepared to perform well across a demanding, multi-format interview process that places character and core values on equal footing with academic credentials.