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 Physician Assistant Studies. The three current full-time, 24-month campus options are Madison, Wausau, and Platteville; a 33-month MPAS-MPH option is also available. Official program options
- The former part-time distance-education option ended after the 2025–26 application cycle; the 2026 entering class was its last cohort. Official program options
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued, with the next validation review expected in October 2035. The September 2025 history records 11 areas of noncompliance, two observations, and follow-up reporting while the status remains Continued. Official accreditation page ARC-PA history
Admission requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, minimum 3.20 cumulative and science GPAs, the listed prerequisites with C or higher, at least 1,000 hours of direct patient-care experience at submission, three recommendations, and the United States Casper 2 assessment. GRE scores are not required. Applicants who studied outside the U.S. must show U.S. permanent residency; student and other temporary visas are not considered. Official admission requirements
Important dates
- End of April: CASPA opens.
- August 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern: CASPA deadline.
- Early November: status and interview notices.
- Early to mid-December: interviews.
- Late December: acceptance notices.
- Week before Memorial Day: orientation.
The official page presents these as a recurring current-cycle timeline without calendar years. Confirm the live cycle before applying. Official application process
How selection works
UW–Madison evaluates academic preparation, clinical commitment, interpersonal skills, maturity, professionalism, and alignment with patient-centered primary care across Wisconsin. The program’s goal is at least 70% Wisconsin residents, and it gives priority consideration to applicants with rural or shortage-area backgrounds, military affiliation, high financial need, first-generation status, or enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. Official admission requirements
Interview details
Confirmed
All admission interview activities occur in December on two days. Day one provides a program overview, expectations, opportunities, and interaction with current students. Day two includes two separate 20-minute interviews conducted by two faculty-and-staff teams, plus additional student interaction. Official application process
Not published
The current exact dates, modality, prompts, file access, scoring rubric, and final weights are not published on the applicant-facing page.
Who this program may suit
UW–Madison may suit applicants with strong academics and substantial direct patient-care experience who can show a commitment to patient-centered primary care in Wisconsin. The Wausau and Platteville options especially emphasize regional and rural care, while the Madison option serves applicants seeking a metropolitan campus. Official admission requirements Official program options
Practice and next step
Record one response explaining why the physician assistant profession fits your goals and how your patient-care experience connects to UW–Madison’s mission. Review whether the answer uses specific evidence, choose one weakness to improve, then record it again and compare both attempts.
Frequently asked questions
Is August 1 the current deadline?
It is the recurring deadline on the current official timeline, but the page does not attach a calendar year. Confirm the live cycle before applying. Official application process
How much patient-care experience is required?
At least 1,000 direct patient-care hours, counted when the application is submitted. Official admission requirements
What happens at the interview?
Interview activities span two December days; the second day has two separate 20-minute faculty-and-staff interviews. Official application process
What is the current accreditation status?
Accreditation-Continued. The September 2025 ARC-PA action also recorded follow-up items; the current public history does not show a later commission action resolving all of them. Official accreditation page ARC-PA history
Sources
- Application process — recurring timeline, two-day interview structure, and distance-option notice; checked 2026-08-22.
- Admission requirements — academic, experience, Casper, residency, and priority criteria; checked 2026-08-22.
- Program options — current campuses, program lengths, and discontinued distance option; checked 2026-08-22.
- Program accreditation page — current Continued status and expected October 2035 review; checked 2026-08-22.
- ARC-PA accreditation history — September 2025 action, maximum class size, and follow-up items; checked 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