Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Why the physician assistant profession?
Practise explaining why the PA role fits your experiences and goals. Review whether you distinguish the profession clearly, use specific evidence, and connect your motivation to patient care; then record again with a sharper answer.
Quick facts
- Degree: Master of Science in Physician Assistant.
- Format: 24 months, 121 credits, with a 12-month in-person didactic phase followed by a clinical phase.
- Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
- Entry: August 30, 2027.
- Cohort: up to 50 students.
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Provisional; first accredited January 2026 and next review listed as TBD.
ECPI admissions guidebook · ARC-PA accreditation history
Admission requirements
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution and minimum overall, science, and prerequisite GPAs of 3.0. Required coursework includes biology, chemistry, microbiology, statistics or biostatistics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, organic chemistry, biochemistry or a second organic chemistry course, and medical terminology.
ECPI allows up to three prerequisites to remain in progress at application, but all prerequisites must be completed by the spring before matriculation. Prerequisites must generally fall within the published 10-year window and earn a letter grade of C or higher.
At least 500 hours of direct, hands-on patient care are required; the guide says applicants with more than 1,200 hours are more competitive. ECPI does not require the GRE, MCAT, CASPer, PA-CAT, or Kira.
ECPI 2026–27 admissions guidebook
Important dates
- April 30, 2026: CASPA opens for the 2027 cohort.
- April 1, 2027: CASPA application closes.
- Spring 2027: all prerequisite coursework must be complete.
- August 2027: mandatory orientation.
- August 30, 2027: matriculation.
- August 2029: expected graduation.
ECPI 2026–27 admissions guidebook
How selection works
ECPI reviews academic performance, life experience, and healthcare experience with an internal rubric. The published factors include GPA performance, personal and socioeconomic experiences, non-traditional background, local ties within the stated Hampton Roads radius, direct patient-care hours, and clinical licensure. Selected candidates are invited to an in-person interview.
ECPI 2026–27 admissions guidebook
Interview details
Confirmed
An in-person interview is required. Interview day includes a brief program presentation, introductions to staff and faculty, a facility tour, and interviews. ECPI may also include a short writing prompt. Afterward, candidates receive one of three outcomes by email: non-acceptance, waitlist, or a conditional offer.
ECPI 2026–27 admissions guidebook
Not published
The current guide does not publish interview dates, the interview format, number or length of stations, evaluator roles, questions, scoring rubric, or decision timing.
Who this program may suit
ECPI may suit applicants who want a two-year, in-person PA program in Virginia Beach with technology-supported instruction, value-based care, and published clinical partnerships. It is also a new program: ARC-PA lists Accreditation-Provisional beginning January 2026 and the next review as TBD. Applicants should weigh that new-program uncertainty directly rather than treating provisional status as equivalent to an established track record.
ECPI program · ARC-PA accreditation history
Practice and next step
Record a 90-second answer explaining why the PA profession fits your goals and how one direct patient-care experience shaped that decision. Review whether the example shows your contribution, reflection, and fit with team-based care. Record the answer again, then compare the two attempts. Add a short written response to practise concise reasoning because ECPI says interview day may include a writing prompt.
Frequently asked questions
When is the application deadline?
ECPI's 2027-cohort CASPA deadline is April 1, 2027. Official guide
When does the cohort start?
The published matriculation date is August 30, 2027. Official guide
How much direct patient care is required?
At least 500 hours are required; the guide says more than 1,200 hours is competitive. Official guide
Does ECPI require an admissions test?
No GRE, MCAT, CASPer, PA-CAT, or Kira score is required or considered. TOEFL may apply for applicants whose first language is not English. Official guide
Is the interview in person?
Yes. The current guide requires an in-person interview, but it does not publish the interview format or dates. Official guide
What is the program's accreditation status?
ARC-PA lists Accreditation-Provisional beginning January 2026, with the next review TBD. ARC-PA history
Sources
Recommended preparation
Physician Assistant Interview Essentials
Build a credible PA interview foundation through four focused spoken responses: profession-specific motivation, interprofessional teamwork, fair clinical decision-making, and reflective use of feedback.
Page history
- Published