The PA program faculty and staff do not provide individual transcript, prerequisite or application advising. However, the Office of Admissions can offer general advising and inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. We ask that you do not email the PA Program faculty (including the Program Director) with any questions/concerns related to your individual application. We also highly recommend attending a general information session, which are held from April through August.
Rocky Vista University – MPAS Admissions Information
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Why future Physician Assistants choose RVU
Bolstered by a welcoming comradery and a laid-back culture at our Colorado campus, our competency-based curriculum prepares students for a confident and successful career as Physician Assistants.
27
Months
full time, in person, in Colorado
48
Students
total class size
122
Total Credit Hours
100%
2024 PANCE Pass Rate*
*Data as of 1/7/2025 by Dr. Jeff E. Hoyt, Manager Institutional Research & Reporting
8.1%
2024 Attrition Rate*
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size. Data as of 3/31/2025 by Dr. Jeff E. Hoyt, Manager Institutional Research & Reporting
91.89%
2024 Graduation Rate**
**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size. Data as of 3/31/2025 by Dr. Jeff E. Hoyt, Manager Institutional Research & Reporting
Steps to a Medical Career
Application Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements prior to application. Any requirement below that is not completed prior to submitting the CASPA application will not be considered for review:
- Citizenship: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
- GPA: All applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. **Applicants with a CASPA verified Biology, Chemistry, Physics (BCP) GPA of 3.0 or higher are preferred
- Healthcare Experience: Applicants are required to have a minimum of 1,000 hours of documented paid healthcare relevant experience within five years of application. Paid internships are not accepted as paid healthcare relevant experience. The RVU PA Program does not determine for the applicant what is acceptable healthcare relevant experience and encourages applicants to appropriately describe, within the CASPA application, the type of experience they have accumulated and support why they feel it is healthcare relevant.
- Physician Assistant Shadowing: Though shadowing PA professionals is not required, it is strongly recommended. Shadowing enhances the applicant’s exposure to physician assistants, giving them a deeper understanding of the PA profession.
- Coursework: The Program does not require applicants to have completed specific prerequisite courses. However, the program strongly recommends the following coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education:
- Biology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Statistics
- Behavior/Social Science
- Additional coursework such as Genetics, Human Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Cellular Biology, Medical Terminology, Ethics, Humanities, and Communication
- References: Three letters of reference must be submitted through CASPA before an application will be considered complete and reviewable by the RVU PA Program. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all references have been received by CASPA and are not pending at the time of application submittal. The RVU PA Program does not specify who letters should be written by, rather references should be selected from individuals who are well acquainted with the applicant academically, professionally and/or personally over a period of time. References from family members are strongly discouraged. The program does not accept and will not consider any form of reference (email, phone call, letter, etc.) from individuals outside of the 3 official letters submitted through CASPA.
Admissions Process
Applying
The RVU PA Program reviews only verified applications. An application file will be considered complete and reviewable by the PA Program Admissions Committee after satisfactorily completing the following steps:
Step One: Complete the CASPA application. All applications must be submitted to and verified by CASPA by our September 1 deadline for consideration. Please note that it may take CASPA up to 6 weeks to verify an application. The following must be submitted for the CASPA application to be considered complete:
- CASPA online application (including responses to supplemental questions)
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of reference
Step Two: Complete the RVU supplemental essay questions. The program requires a supplemental application to be completed and submitted with the CASPA application. The questions can be found within the CASPA application. Once the CASPA application and supplemental application have been submitted and verified by CASPA, the RVU Admissions Department will screen and review the application. There is a $100 non-refundable supplemental application fee that will be due upon receipt of the application. The RVU Admissions department will notify candidates via email when it is time to submit payment. Applications will not be reviewed by the Program until the fee has been submitted.
Interviews
The program interviews 150-200 applicants for a maximum cohort size of 48. Applicants are notified of the offer to interview by email and are expected to respond within 10 business days. Interview slots will be offered until filled. The selection process for the RVU PA Program is highly competitive. Applicants are reviewed on an individualized and holistic basis that includes, but is not limited to, the applicant’s commitment to service, academic ability, healthcare experience, letters of reference and potential for success in, and contribution to the profession. The program strives to admit those who will best meet the mission and goals of the program. Invitations are extended to those applicants that the Admissions Committee perceives to be competitive for admissions based on this holistic review.
Acceptance Notifications
Offers of acceptance are made continuously until the class is filled. Final decisions may not be complete until early Spring. Each applicant offered a seat in the class must acknowledge acceptance of the offer within ten (10) business days of their notification and submit a non-refundable acceptance deposit of $500. A second $500 non-refundable deposit must be submitted in April of the year of matriculation. Prior to matriculating into the Program, accepted students must meet the following requirements:
- Successfully pass a criminal background check. **Applicants convicted of any criminal offense, regardless of its designation, involving a crime of moral turpitude or a crime against a child or elder, are subject to further review by the Admissions Committee prior to consideration for matriculation
- Successfully pass a completed drug screen
- Complete a pre-matriculation examination
- Submit documentation of current BLS (healthcare providers) certification
- Provide evidence of compliance with CDC guidelines for healthcare workers regarding immunizations, screening and freedom from communicable diseases
- All students must meet the technical standards of the PA Program prior to and throughout the program. Technical Standards can be found here
Advanced Placement and Transfers: The RVU PA Program does not take into consideration advanced placement credit for any courses and does not accept transfers from other Physician Assistant Programs.
Deferrals
Only students who have been admitted, received an official acceptance letter from RVU, and have fully deposited may request a deferral. Deferral requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, reviewed by the appropriate dean or program director. Some cases may necessitate additional documentation require students to provide supporting documentation. For additional information on deferral requests, please contact [email protected].
**Our program is collaborating with the Charles Drew University EDGE-PA Program to offer interview opportunities to eligible participants who meet all admissions requirements. Interviewed candidates must satisfy all program admission criteria to be considered for acceptance. This agreement does not guarantee admission nor confer preferential consideration in the final selection process.
Admissions FAQs
Can I make an appointment to talk to Program faculty about my application or prerequisites?
Do the 1000 hours of paid healthcare-relevant experience have to be completed consecutively?
No, but the hours must be completed within 5 years.
Do the 1000 hours of paid healthcare-relevant experience have to be completed prior to application?
Yes
Does RVU give preference to in-state vs out-of-state applicants?
No
Does the Program accept experiences gained during a healthcare training program toward the required 1000 hours of paid healthcare-relevant experience?
While we understand many students will have participated in clinical encounters during a healthcare training program, the level of responsibility for students is different than that of a paid employee. Paid employees are typically required to provide care to patients that students are not expected to provide. Therefore, experiences gained during training programs, including paid internship programs, do not count toward the required 1000 hours of paid healthcare-relevant experience.
How does the Program define healthcare-relevant experience?
Defining healthcare-relevant experience will be left to the applicant to describe as part of the application process. The program does not identify specific experiences.
How long does the CASPA verification process take?
Once an applicant has completed and submitted the CASPA application, CASPA will verify that the information provided is accurate. The verification process and forwarding of the application to the RVU PA Program may take up to six weeks. Applicants are encouraged to consider deadlines carefully and start the application process early. Please refer to the CASPA website for additional information https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
How long is the program?
The program is seven semesters (27 months).
Is the PA Program offered at the Utah campus?
No. The RVU PA program is currently offered only at the Parker, CO location.
No prerequisite coursework is required?
Although there is no “required” prerequisite coursework, the program considers those courses listed under “Requirements and Prerequisites” as a foundation to physician assistant training. As such, the listed coursework is strongly recommended, but not a requirement for the program.
What can I expect if I am invited for an interview?
Interviews are currently held virtually, via Zoom, and consist of 2 individual interviews and 1 group interview. Applicants will have the opportunity to speak with current RVU PA students. Interview dates will be included with an invitation for an interview. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt and interview slots will be offered until filled.
When can I apply for admission?
The program partners with the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The CASPA application cycle opens in late April each year, and applicants to the RVU PA Program can begin the application process once CASPA has opened. CASPA will forward to the RVU PA program only those applications that have been successfully verified.
When does the Program begin?
Orientation to the program is held during the last week of August. Classes begin shortly after Orientation.
Will an arrest record preclude someone from being considered for the RVU PA Program?
An arrest will not preclude a candidate from being considered. Applicants convicted of any criminal offense, regardless of its designation, involving a crime of moral turpitude or a crime against a child or elder, are subject to further review by the Admissions Committee prior to consideration for matriculation. Please refer to the Admissions section of this website for information about background checks and drug screens.
Admissions Statistics
| Class Profile | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 | Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 25 | 32 | 25 | 23 | 29 |
| Male | 11 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 8 |
| In-state | 20 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 18 |
| Out of state | 16 | 20 | 22 | 15 | 19 |
| Average age | 25 (range 22-40) | 25 (range 21-40) | 24 (range 21-42) | 27 (range 21-44) | 24 (range 20-32) |
| Average cumulative GPA | 3.45 | 3.50 | 3.52 | 3.46 | 3.67 |
| Average BCP GPA | 3.33 | 3.31 | 3.39 | 3.30 | 3.53 |
Take the next steps to becoming a Physician Assistant
Become a PA in Colorado
Colorado Campus
Colorado Campus
Rocky Vista University Colorado location is located in a small town called Parker, just 20 miles southeast of Denver, which is a place rooted in history and heritage. The spirit of the west that lives here is matched in character only by our embrace of forward-thinking innovation. This rare balance offers experiences that are unique even for Colorado, making Parker the ideal one-day getaway. The community is known for its excellent school system, extensive biking and jogging trails, recreational facilities, dining, and entertainment, as well as a wide variety of arts and community events held throughout the year.
Explore Campus*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.
**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.