Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Faculty of Medicine

Admissions


MPAS admission requirements are aligned with admissions standards in the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Graduate Studies, and are consistent with Dalhousie’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.  

​As per the agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness, the program aims to maximize the number of Nova Scotians entering the program. Dalhousie Medical School has existing criteria to define NS residents for the purposes of admissions, a definition which the PA program will also use.  

​The Dalhousie MPAS Admissions Committee recognizes that the appropriate academic preparation for the study of medicine as a PA can be acquired through varied educational backgrounds. Applicants will be made aware that the MPAS curriculum is a rigorous, condensed, full-time curriculum.  

Admissions deadlines for the MPAS program for January 2027 start

Date

Section

Details
November 10, 2025 Section 1
Online application opens

An application fee of $115 must be received before Section 1 application is processed. Section 1 must be completed and submitted to access Section 2.

When applying, please select 2026/2027 Winter Term 
Begin application here
December 1, 2025 Section 2
Online application opens		 Following completion of Section 1, applicants will receive access to Section 2 within 5-10 business days
December 14, 2025 Section 1
Online application closes		 All components of Section 1 of the online application must be finalized and submitted on or before this date at 11:59 PM AST.
January 11, 2026 Section 2
Online application closes		 All components of Section 2 of the online application, with exception to reference letters, must be finalized and submitted on or before this date at 11:59 PM AST.
July 2025 - Feb 2026 CASPer Dates

CASPer test dates for the 2026 application cycle:

• Jul 20, 2025 - 5:00 PM ADT
• Aug 12, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Aug 28, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Sep 11, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Sep 23, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Oct 4, 2025 - 8:00 PM ADT
• Oct 9, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Oct 15, 2025 - 7:00 PM ADT
• Oct 15, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Oct 16, 2025 - 9:00 PM ADT
• Nov 6, 2025 - 9:00 PM AST
• Nov 30, 2025 - 5:00 PM AST
• Dec 2, 2025 - 9:00 PM AST
• Jan 8, 2026 - 9:00 PM AST
• Jan 22, 2026 - 9:00 PM AST
• Feb 19, 2026 - 9:00 PM AST

Visit the CASPer website to sign up and reserve a test using your Dalhousie Banner ID and a piece of government-issued photo ID. Your Banner ID is assigned once you have completed and submitted Section 1 of the online application.
March 2026 Interview Invites Interview invitations will be distributed via email in early March.
April 1, 2026 Section 2
Deadline for reference letters		 Deadline to receive applicant reference letters via E-Ref submission or Confidential Reference Form
Early April 2026 (exact day TBD) Interview Day Admissions interviews will be conducted on a dedicated virtual platform.
May 2026 Decision Letters Decision letters are distributed via email by the Registrar’s Office.