Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Resolve a disagreement on the care team
Practise resolving disagreement without dismissing either colleague. Review whether you clarify the clinical risk, invite both perspectives, protect the patient, and name a practical next step; then record again with one improvement.
Quick facts
- Degree: Master of Physician Assistant Studies.
- Duration: 27 months, seven terms and 114 units.
- Location: Sacramento, California.
- Start: January 2027.
- Interview: day-long event with panel and group interviews.
- ARC-PA status: Accreditation-Continued; next review April 2031.
Official program · Current ARC-PA directory
Admission requirements
Applicants need a completed bachelor's degree and all prerequisites at CASPA submission, minimum 3.0 overall and science GPAs, at least 1,000 qualifying direct-patient-care hours and at least two letters. The GRE is optional. Pacific publishes documented foreign-degree and English-testing routes. Official prerequisites
Important dates
- April 30, 2026: application window opens.
- August 1, 2026: CASPA complete deadline.
- June through September 2026: interviews.
- October 1, 2026: class selection completed by this date.
- January 2027: matriculation.
How selection works
Pacific screens prerequisites, then scores and ranks eligible files using proprietary quantitative and qualitative criteria. Published preferences include stronger GPAs, service, military background, HRSA factors, PA recommendations, regional ties and patient care. Final committee review considers the file, interview, experience, completion likelihood and cohort diversity. Pacific does not use early or rolling admission. Exact weights are not public. Official admission policies
Interview details
Confirmed
Competitive applicants attend a day-long event with social activities, a panel interview and group interviews. Applicants are scored through a predefined system, and the committee meets after interviews are complete. Official admission policies
Not published
Pacific does not publish modality, venue, exact dates per applicant, exercises or questions, panel and group composition, interviewer file access, detailed rubric or numeric weights.
Who this program may suit
This program may suit applicants with sustained direct patient care, strong academics and service or regional ties aligned with Pacific's published preferences. Its nonrolling process rewards a complete, carefully prepared file rather than early submission alone. Official admission policies
Practice and next step
Record a first response to a care-team disagreement for a panel setting. Review whether your reasoning, inclusion and patient-centered close are explicit, then record it again and compare both attempts.
Frequently asked questions
Is the process rolling?
No. Pacific says it does not use early or rolling admission. Official admission policies
When is CASPA due?
The application must be complete by August 1, 2026. Official deadlines
Is the GRE required?
No; it is optional.
What is the interview format?
A day-long event with a panel interview and group interviews.
What is the accreditation status?
Accreditation-Continued, with the next ARC-PA review in April 2031. Current ARC-PA directory
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