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 Health Science - Physician Assistant.
- Duration: 24 months and 116 credits.
- Format: full-time and in person.
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland.
- Class size: 60.
- ARC-PA status: Accreditation-Continued. UMB publishes a September 2029 review; the current ARC-PA directory lists October 2029.
Official program · Current ARC-PA directory
Admission requirements
Applicants need a conferred bachelor's or higher degree before application, minimum 3.0 cumulative and science GPAs, seven completed prerequisites with B or better, 1,000 patient-contact hours and three letters. The current handbook says the GRE is not required. Current admissions handbook
Important dates
- April 30, 2026: applications open.
- July 1, 2026: recommended submission date.
- September 1, 2026: complete CASPA deadline.
- Fall 2026: competitive applicants interview.
- May 2027: program starts.
Official program · Current admissions handbook
How selection works
Published factors include cumulative and natural-science preparation, letters, patient-contact experience, service, multilingual fluency, recommended coursework, Maryland residency or named-institution alumni status and interview performance. Exact weights are not public. Official admissions page
Interview details
Confirmed
Competitive applicants interview in fall 2026 before the May 2027 class. Interview performance is a published selection factor. Current admissions handbook
Not published
UMB does not publish exact dates, modality, venue, format, duration, interviewer roles, file access, prompts, rubric or numeric weights.
Who this program may suit
This program may suit applicants with strong prerequisite performance, substantial patient-contact experience and ties to Maryland or the institutions in UMB's preference policy. The September-versus-October 2029 accreditation-review discrepancy does not affect the current Continued status, but applicants should recheck closer to review. Official program · Current ARC-PA directory
Practice and next step
Record a first response explaining why you want to become a PA. Review whether your patient-contact example proves role understanding and readiness, then record it again and compare both attempts.
Frequently asked questions
When is CASPA due?
September 1, 2026; UMB recommends submitting by July 1. Current admissions handbook
Is the GRE required?
No. UMB says GRE scores are no longer required. Current admissions handbook
What is the interview format?
UMB confirms a fall interview but does not publish the mechanics.
When is the next accreditation review?
UMB publishes September 2029; the current ARC-PA directory lists October 2029. Current status is Accreditation-Continued.
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