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: MSPA; 27 months; Richmond; January start; separate campus application; ARC-PA accredited.
Admission requirements
Applicants designate Richmond in CASPA, hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree by August 1, meet a 3.0 overall GPA minimum and submit GRE scores plus at least three recommendations, including one qualifying clinician reference. Patient-care experience is preferred but has no fixed minimum. Prerequisites must be complete before application with C or better. Official program
Important dates
- Late April: CASPA opens for the following January.
- May-November: rolling interviews.
- August 1: CASPA Complete deadline.
- January: classes begin.
How selection works
Richmond ranks applicants using academics, references, direct patient care, essays, shadowing, service, mission-aligned attributes and interview performance. Applying earlier can matter because interviews end when seats fill. Official program
Interview details
Confirmed
Competitive applicants complete a required interview. The committee assesses communication, problem solving, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, PA knowledge and mission alignment.
Not published
Modality, structure, duration, evaluator roles and weights are not public. Official program
Who this program may suit
South Richmond may fit applicants seeking a campus-specific January-start programme with rolling review and no fixed patient-care-hour minimum. Official program
Practice and next step
Record a first response explaining why the PA profession fits your goals. Review whether your example is specific and evidence-based. Record it again and compare.
Frequently asked questions
Deadline?
CASPA Complete by August 1.
GRE?
Required.
Patient-care minimum?
No fixed minimum, but experience is preferred.
Sources
Source check: August 22, 2026. Richmond publishes a recurring late-April-to-January cycle rather than an explicit January 2027 label. ARC-PA lists Accreditation-Continued with an April 2031 review.
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