Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University
525 12th St. \r\n
Oakland, California 94607

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Program Website

*Last updated March 6th, 2026

General Information

Mission Statement: The Master Physician Assistant Department at Samuel Merritt University strives to serve the University and the medical community by preparing graduates who are interdependent medical providers, demonstrate commitment to the community and the profession through active leadership, manifest critical and creative thinking, utilize effective communication skills, and who possess the educational foundation for continued growth and development in a changing world of diverse cultures.

Unique Program Features: The faculty of the Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant (PA) program places significant importance on the admission process. We believe that recruiting high-quality candidates who will actively engage in graduate medical education and honor the responsibility placed on a healthcare provider is imperative to the success of our graduates and our institution. To this end, the PA faculty has identified core values that will be evaluated in all candidates for admission to our program.

Curriculum Focus: Asynchronous Learning; Case-Based Learning; Collaborative or Team-Based Learning; Hybrid of Traditional or Case-Based Learning; Organ-Based/Systems-Based Learning; Problem-Based Learning

Credentials Offered: Master's degree (not Master's of Public Health)

Type of Masters Degree: MPA: Master of Physician Assistant

Undergrad to Masters Bridge or Dual Degree: No

Doctorate Degree Offered: No

Masters to Doctorate Bridge or Dual Degree: No

Program Length: 27 Months

Start Month: July 2027

Estimated Incoming Class Size: 44

Part-time Option: No

Distance Learning: No

On-Campus Housing: No

Required Onsite Interview: No

Types of Interviews: Traditional Interview; Panel Interview; Group Interview; Multiple Mini Interview (MMI); Scenario Room

Admission Type: Regular - All applications are reviewed once the set deadline has passed

Deadlines, Fees, & Eligibility

Application Deadline: 09/01/2026

Deadline Requirement: Orange-Complete only: the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters must be received by CASPA by the posted deadline.

Out of State Students Accepted: Yes

Transfer Students Accepted: Yes

DACA Status Applicants Considered: Yes, with exceptions. Please visit the program's website.

International Applicants Accepted: Yes, with exceptions. Please visit the program's website.

Support for Veterans: Veteran scholarships: Scholarship or financial assistance like reduced or in-state tuition offered).;Clinical partnerships: Partnerships with veteran organizations for rotations.;Yellow Ribbon program: Institutional participation in the a university-funded scholarship program for veterans.;Yellow Ribbon Schools program

Separate Tuition Rates: No

Tuition: $172,211

Seat Deposit: Yes

Seat Deposit Cost: $1,500

Refundable Seat Deposit: No

Supplemental Application: No

Supplemental Deadline: No information provided

Supplemental Application Fee: No information provided

Supplemental Application Fee Waiver: No information provided

Requirements

Special Considerations: Holistic Admissions Review

Minimum Number of Reference Letters Required: 3

Types of References Required: PA; Physician; Other health care provider

Standardized Test(s) Required: PA-CAT; CASPer

Minimum Overall GPA Required: 3.00

Minimum Prereq GPA Required: N/A

Minimum Science GPA Required: 3.00

Experience

Healthcare Experience: Yes, required

Paid Health Care: Recommended but not required

Volunteer/Community Service Health Care: Recommended but not required

Hours Needed: 1000

Time Limit in Which To Complete Experience: No Requirement

Paid Direct Patient Care: Required

Volunteer Direct Patient Care: Required

Direct Patient Care Hours Needed: 2000

Direct Patient Care Time Limit: 3 Years

Other Paid Health Care: Not Required

Other Volunteer Health Care: No information provided

Shadowing a PA: Recommended but not required

Shadowing a Physician: Recommended but not required

Shadowing other health care provider: Recommended but not required

Clinical and/or non-clinical research: Recommended but not required

Virtual Health Care Accepted: No

Virtual Shadowing Accepted: No

Prerequisites

Human Anatomy: 4 Credit(s)

Biology (general): 4 Credit(s)

Microbiology: 4 Credit(s)

Chemistry (general): 4 Credit(s)

Organic Chemistry: 4 Credit(s)

Human Physiology: 4 Credit(s)

Statistics: 3 Credit(s)

Inorganic Chemistry: 4 Credit(s)

Prereq time limit: 5 Years

Outstanding pre-requisites must be completed in the following time frame: No information provided

Maximum number of outstanding prerequisites allowed: No information provided

Matriculants

Matriculant GPAs

Matriculant Overall GPA: 3.57

Matriculant Science GPA: 3.55

GRE Average Scores

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Score: No information provided

Average Analytical Writing GRE Score: No information provided

Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Score: No information provided

GRE Average Percentiles

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Percentile: No information provided

Average Analytical Writing GRE Percentile: No information provided

Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Percentile: No information provided

Program Matriculants by Gender

Female: 36

Male: 8

Non-Binary: -

Gender Unknown: -

Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number

American Indian or Alaskan Native: -

Asian: 9

Black or African American: 3

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish: 8

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 2

White: 18

Multiracial: 4

Other: -