Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Clinic appointment access and fairness
Practise making a fair decision when access is limited. Review whether you identify missing information, weigh both patients' needs, and explain the next step clearly; then record the scenario again with one improvement.
Quick facts
- Degree: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS)
- Format: 28 months full-time; 16-month didactic phase and 12-month clinical phase
- Location: Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington
- Cohort: 40 students
- Start: fall; current pages do not name the entry year
- Admissions: modified rolling review, on-campus MMI interviews
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Provisional; ARC-PA lists the next review for January 2027
Northwest program · Admission procedure · ARC-PA directory
Admission requirements
Applications must be complete and verified in CASPA by January 15. A bachelor’s degree must be conferred by that deadline. Northwest requires at least a 3.0 CASPA overall GPA and 3.0 science GPA, with no exceptions, plus three recommendations submitted through CASPA. The program does not require a supplemental application, GRE, PA-CAT or CASPer.
Applicants need at least 500 qualifying direct, hands-on patient-care hours by the deadline and a plan to reach 1,000 hours by August 1 before matriculation. A completed 1,000 hours by the application deadline is more competitive. Shadowing, clinical student rotations and volunteering do not satisfy this patient-care requirement.
Required coursework includes statistics, psychology, microbiology with in-person lab, two anatomy and physiology courses with in-person labs, genetics, two organic chemistry courses and biochemistry. Courses require a C or higher. Up to two requirements may be outstanding with a completion plan for August 1. Official requirements
Important dates
- April 30: CASPA portal opens
- July–February: applications reviewed in scheduled batches
- September–March: on-campus interview period
- January 15 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific / 11:59 p.m. Eastern: CASPA must be submitted, complete and verified
- May–August 1: pre-matriculation requirements completed
- Late August: orientation and classes begin
Northwest uses modified rolling admissions: some offers follow each interview event, but seats remain open through the cycle. The current official pages publish this recurring timeline without naming the entry year, so applicants should confirm the target fall in CASPA. Official admission procedure · How to apply
How selection works
Admissions staff first screen verified applications for completeness and minimum requirements. The program scores academic preparation, patient-care type and volume, service, leadership, recommendations and mission alignment. Faculty then review recommendations, supplemental essays about Northwest and mission fit, and the application score in scheduled batches. Top-ranked candidates, qualified Northwest graduates and qualified military veterans receive on-campus interview invitations.
Interviewed candidates are ranked using combined application and MMI scores. After each event, top candidates may receive offers; others may remain under consideration or be denied. At cycle end, remaining candidates may enter a ranked high-alternate or alternate wait list. Northwest does not publish the numeric weights or interview cutoff. Official admission procedure · Official selection factors
Interview details
Confirmed
Northwest uses an on-campus Multiple Mini Interview with no virtual option. Interviews run during fall and winter, and candidates should expect to spend the day on campus for MMI stations, tours and question-and-answer activities. The stations assess ethics, grit, collaborative communication, self-awareness, academic adversity, interpersonal skill, professionalism, analytical thinking, relational skill and adaptability in realistic scenarios. Professional conduct is assessed throughout the day. Official admission procedure · Official MMI selection factors
Not published
Northwest does not publish the number or length of stations, preparation time, interviewer roles, file-access policy, exact scoring weights, current interview-event dates or whether any station includes acting or written work.
Who this program may suit
Northwest may suit applicants seeking a small, new, full-time program with explicit commitments to patient-centred care, underserved communities, compassion, leadership, service and faith integration. Its scoring framework rewards recent science performance, direct patient care, leadership, mission-aligned volunteerism and recommendations that show service and professional readiness.
Applicants should also weigh the program’s Accreditation-Provisional status, mandatory on-campus interview and expectation that selected students complete an internal medical-terminology course before matriculation. MMI preparation should focus on reasoning and interpersonal judgment, not memorized speeches. Northwest program overview · Official selection factors
Practice and next step
Record: Answer the featured access-and-fairness scenario as if it were an MMI station. Identify the competing duties, explain who may be disadvantaged, choose a defensible action and show how you would communicate it collaboratively.
Review: Check whether you adapted to uncertainty, made your ethical reasoning visible and stayed respectful and practical. Mark one weakness in analysis, empathy or delivery.
Second attempt: Record the same scenario again with one deliberate adjustment, then compare both versions. Continue with the Physician Assistant Interview Essentials path to practise motivation, service, leadership, self-awareness and mission-fit answers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Northwest’s CASPA deadline?
The application must be submitted, complete and verified by January 15 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific / 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The current page does not name the entry year. How to apply
How many patient-care hours are required?
At least 500 qualifying hours are required by the application deadline, with a clear plan to reach 1,000 by August 1. Completing 1,000 by the deadline is more competitive. Official requirements
Are the GRE or CASPer required?
No. Northwest also does not require the PA-CAT or a supplemental application. How to apply
What interview format does Northwest use?
A full-day, on-campus MMI. Virtual interviews are not offered. Official admission procedure
What does the MMI assess?
Northwest names ethics, grit, collaborative communication, self-awareness, academic adversity, interpersonal skill, professionalism, analytical and relational thinking, and adaptability. Official selection factors
Sources
- Northwest Admission Requirements — degree, GPA, prerequisites, patient-care hours, recommendations and pre-matriculation conditions; reviewed 2026-08-22.
- Northwest How to Apply — CASPA verification deadline, tests not required and application process; reviewed 2026-08-22.
- Northwest Admission Procedure — timeline, modified rolling review, application batches, on-campus MMI and candidate selection; reviewed 2026-08-22.
- Northwest Applicant Selection Factors — scoring factors, patient-care thresholds and MMI domains; reviewed 2026-08-22.
- Northwest MS-PAS Program — degree, duration, cohort, fall start and mission; reviewed 2026-08-22.
- ARC-PA Accredited Programs — Accreditation-Provisional status and January 2027 next review; reviewed 2026-08-22.
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