Bridge Program B.S. in Health Sciences to Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies

This program gives preferential consideration to excellent health science students for admission into Chapman University’s Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies. Preferential consideration is a three-step process.

Step one: academic performance

• Declare the physician assistant track through the Office of the University Registrar by the end of the junior year.
• By spring semester of the junior year, students seeking early, preferential consideration must complete the following courses and adhere to the criteria associated with the courses:

1. BIOL 204 , BIOL 208 , BIOL 317 , BIOL 330 , CHEM 140 , CHEM 150 , ENG 103 , HSCI 105 , HSCI 210 , HSCI 365 , HSCI 366 , MATH 110 , PSY 101 , PSY 203  (or MATH 203 ), SOC 101 .
2. Must be taken at Chapman University or must be identified as equivalent in the Chapman University/Saddleback College TAG agreement.
3. May only be taken once.
4. Must be taken for a letter grade earning a “C” or better (except HSCI 105  = Pass).
5. Must be completed by the end of spring semester junior year.
6. Taken together the courses must compute to a GPA > 3.600.

Step two: requirements to convert from conditional to a fully admitted student*:

1. Submit documentation showing completion of 100 hours of shadowing a practicing physician assistant, M.D. and/or D.O. (for instructions refer to the physician assistant website). An additional 1,000 hours of health care related work experience (paid or voluntary) is also required.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation, one of which is from a physician assistant or a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) during any term of the senior year (for instructions refer to the physician assistant website).
3. Complete the GRE before the beginning of the senior year with the following minimum scores; Verbal 150, Quantitative 150, Writing 4.5.
4. Provide a personal statement (for instructions refer to the physician assistant website).
5. Interview with physician assistant admission committee during the senior year.
6. Complete B.S. in Health Sciences degree with a cumulative GPA >3.400. The degree may be completed during any term of the senior year and must be verified by the Office of the University Registrar.

Step three: early admission declaration and plan

By November 1 of the senior year, the student seeking preferential consideration must schedule schedule an appointment with Dr. Sumida (sumida@chapman.edu) to verify the successful completion of the criteria identified in step #1 above. Upon a recommendation submitted by Dr. Sumida to the PA Admissions Coordinator, a meeting with Dr. Jennifer Grumet (grumet@chapman.edu) should be scheduled to review requirements and establish a plan to complete the remaining requirements for preferential consideration. This part of the process is important since students normally take a gap year in order to accumulate 1,000 hours (see step #2 above).  When the criteria identified in step #2 (above) has been satisfied, final admission is dependent upon a successful interview.

*All admissions are not final until successful completion of a background check.