7 Critical Facts About The Mount St. Joseph University PA Program: Accreditation, Admissions, And 2025 Updates
Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) Physician Assistant (PA) Program is rapidly becoming a key player in graduate medical education, offering a rigorous Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree in Physician Assistant Studies. As of today, December 23, 2025, prospective students need to be aware of the program’s specific structure, its accreditation status—a critical factor for any healthcare program—and the latest application requirements for the upcoming cycles. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, MSJ is committed to educating compassionate, high-quality clinicians prepared to address the growing demand for accessible healthcare across various settings.
This 27-month, full-time graduate program combines intensive didactic instruction with extensive clinical training, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). The information below provides the most current and essential details, directly addressing the unique features and requirements that set the MSJ PA program apart from other institutions.
Mount St. Joseph University PA Program: At a Glance
The MSJ PA Program is a comprehensive, post-baccalaureate degree designed for individuals dedicated to a career as a certified Physician Assistant. Understanding the core structure is the first step in a successful application process.
- Institution: Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ)
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Degree Awarded: Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MMS-PA)
- Program Length: 27 months (full-time)
- Program Structure: Divided into a 15-month didactic phase (classroom instruction) followed by a 12-month clinical rotation phase.
- Mission: To educate outstanding, compassionate clinicians prepared to deliver high-quality, accessible healthcare.
- Key Focus Areas: Critical thinking, evidence-based medicine, professional practice issues, and public health.
1. The Critical Status of Accreditation-Provisional
One of the most important pieces of information for any applicant to the MSJ PA program is its accreditation status. The program is currently accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).
The ARC-PA has granted the Mount St. Joseph University Physician Assistant Program Accreditation-Provisional status.
What Accreditation-Provisional Means: This status is granted to new programs that have met the ARC-PA standards but have not yet graduated their first class.
It is a temporary status and does not guarantee that the program will receive continuing accreditation. However, it does allow the program to enroll students and means that graduates are eligible to sit for the PANCE and become certified Physician Assistants. The program has been actively working with the ARC-PA, with the commission accepting a report addressing standards in March 2023, specifically regarding clinical sites and preceptors.
2. Latest Admissions Requirements: No GRE and CASPA Focus
The application process for the MSJ PA program is streamlined through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), which simplifies the submission of transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Key Admission Requirements for the Upcoming Cycle:
- Bachelor's Degree: Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. university.
- Minimum GPA: A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (as calculated by CASPA).
- GRE Requirement: Crucially, the MSJ PA Program does not require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for admission. This is a significant factor for many applicants, reducing the burden and cost of the application process.
- Supplemental Application: A supplemental application is not required, further simplifying the process.
- Application Deadline: The typical CASPA application deadline is in September for matriculation the following year.
Prospective students should be aware of the competitive nature of PA school admissions. While the minimum GPA is 3.0, successful applicants often have significantly higher GPAs and extensive patient care experience (PCE) hours, although a specific minimum PCE hour requirement is not always explicitly stated on general program pages.
3. The Specialized PA Scholars Pathway
Mount St. Joseph University offers a unique program for high-achieving undergraduate students called the PA Scholars Pathway. This pathway provides a mechanism for early, conditional admission into the graduate PA program, offering a secure route for dedicated students.
Requirements for the PA Scholars Pathway:
- Cumulative GPA and Science GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours.
- Selection of a major in biomedical sciences is highly recommended for those interested in pre-physician assistant studies.
This internal track demonstrates MSJ's commitment to nurturing talent from its undergraduate population and ensuring a strong pipeline of future Physician Assistants. It is a major advantage for current or prospective MSJ undergraduate students.
4. Curriculum Highlights: From Anatomy to Public Health
The 27-month curriculum is strategically divided to build a strong foundation before transitioning to real-world practice. The 15-month didactic phase is comprehensive, covering all core medical sciences and professional topics.
Core Didactic Coursework Includes:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Clinical Medicine
- Genetics and Diagnostic Lab Interpretation
- EKG Interpretation
- Medical Ethics and Jurisprudence
- PA Professional Practice Issues
- Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
- Population and Public Health
The program emphasizes hands-on patient care and the use of state-of-the-art facilities to foster critical thinking and lifelong learning skills—essential traits for any successful clinician.
5. Clinical Rotations and Real-World Experience
Following the didactic phase, students enter the 12-month clinical year, which involves a series of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs). These rotations are crucial for applying classroom knowledge in diverse patient settings. The program is responsible for securing clinical sites and preceptors, a process that was specifically reviewed by the ARC-PA in their 2023 report.
The goal of the clinical year is to expose students to a broad range of medical specialties, ensuring they are well-rounded and prepared for practice in various environments, from primary care to specialized surgical settings.
6. Program Leadership and 2025 OAPA Feature
The quality of a PA program is often reflected in the engagement and expertise of its faculty. The MSJ PA program maintains an active presence in the professional community, which is a strong indicator of its commitment to current standards and best practices.
A notable recent update is the program's feature at the 2025 Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) conference.
The program was represented at the conference by key personnel, including Teresa Groh, the Clinical Director of the Physician Assistant Studies program, along with clinical-year students.
This involvement at a major state-level professional conference demonstrates the program's commitment to professional networking, leadership development, and staying at the forefront of the PA profession in Ohio and the broader region.
7. The Vision for Future PA Leaders
The Mount St. Joseph University PA Program's vision extends beyond simply training competent clinicians. It aims for its graduates to be recognized for their leadership and the quality of healthcare they provide.
This focus on leadership and service is rooted in the university's broader mission and values. The program is strategically designed to produce Physician Assistants who are not only medically knowledgeable but also ethically grounded and committed to addressing health disparities in their communities. By emphasizing public health and medical ethics in the curriculum, the program prepares graduates to take on complex roles in the evolving healthcare landscape.
For prospective students seeking a rigorous, supportive, and professionally engaged PA program in the Midwest, the Mount St. Joseph University MMS-PA program offers a compelling option, backed by an active accreditation process and a clear vision for producing the next generation of healthcare leaders.
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