MPAS FAQ
Additional information, including specific application opening and closing dates, is anticipated to be available by November 13. Please check back after that date for updates.
Why is the BScPA becoming a master's degree?
National PA education is shifting to the graduate level. Moving to the MPAS keeps Temerty Medicine aligned with national standards, competitive for top applicants, and consistent with the evolving scope of PA practice.
I am currently in the BScPA; does this affect me?
No. Current and incoming BScPA students (through the final BScPA intake) will complete their degree as expected. The BScPA program curriculum will continue as planned; the MPAS is a new, separate admissions stream starting Fall 2027.
What is the last year to apply to the BScPA?
BScPA admissions are suspended effective the Fall 2027 intake. The 2026–27 cycle is expected to be the final BScPA admissions cycle before the MPAS becomes the program's sole entry point.
Do I need a completed bachelor's degree to apply to the MPAS?
Yes. A four-year bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to apply to the MPAS. If you're in your final undergraduate year, you can still apply, provided you complete prerequisite courses and confirm degree completion by June 30 of your entry year.
Are anatomy and physiology courses mandatory in the MPAS program?
Yes. The MPAS requires a minimum 0.5 full-course equivalent in each of human anatomy and human physiology. This reflects feedback that students without this foundation were more likely to struggle with the pace of the curriculum.
Is the 350-hour healthcare experience requirement changing?
No, this requirement will remain the same. A minimum of 350 hours of prior healthcare experience is required. Experience can be gained through employment, clinical placements, or volunteering, and can be described across up to two experiences.
Is the MPAS open to international applicants?
Not initially. During its early pilot years, the MPAS will admit domestic applicants (Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents) only.
How and where will the program be delivered?
The MPAS keeps the hybrid delivery model: online synchronous and asynchronous coursework, in-person campus blocks at the University of Toronto Scarborough (as part of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health, SAMIH), and extensive clinical placements across Ontario. Because placements are Ontario-based, students must reside in Ontario for the program's duration.
How is the curriculum structured?
The curriculum is structured around four integrated units: Medical Foundations, Clinical & Procedural Skills, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies, and Physician Assistant Research. Year 1 is primarily didactic across all four units; Year 2 includes 44 weeks of clinical placements alongside continued coursework and completion of a required research project.