Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Program Director: Rebecca Mueller
Campus Address/General Office: 260 Brodie - 727 McDermot Avenue
Telephone: 204-272-3094
Fax: 204-480-1372
Email Address: mpas@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/medicine/medicine/master-of-physician-assistant-studies
Academic Staff: Please see the M.P.A.S. website for Academic staff information

Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program Information

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.) degree is a nationally accredited coursework-based graduate program, designed to educate generalist medical providers who are eligible for the national certification exam and qualify for PA licensure in Manitoba.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.

M.P.A.S. Admission Requirements

This program is open to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada who are graduates of four-year bachelor's degrees from recognized colleges and universities, with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in the most recent 60-credit hours of study (full time or part-time study). Note that a GPA of 3.5 or better is competitive.

Completion of the required courses, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Biochemistry, from an accredited university or college, is required. Undergraduate level asset courses include Microbiology and Psychology. All courses require at least three credit hours each for consideration.

MPAS uses the Multiple-Mini Interview (MMI) Panel Interview and a Written Essay as part of the selection process for candidates. The program also requires Situational Judgement Testing (e.g., Canadian Professional Health Sciences CASPer test).

On enrolment, accepted students must be eligible for the Educational Register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the M.P.A.S. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

The MPAS is a two year program. The first year consists of 56 credit hours of coursework, delivered in three semesters from September - July as a combi­nation of lecture, clinical skills training, and seminars. The second year includes 30 credit hours (48 weeks) of core clinical rotations. All courses are required major courses, and students must maintain full-time registration throughout the Program.

Expected Time to Graduate: 26 months inclusive of the National Certification Examination

Progression Chart

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Dates applicable to Physician Assistant Studies

Orientation

Start and End Dates

Term Breaks

The academic and administrative offices will be open during this period, but there will be no classes/examinations held for students.

eXAMINATION AND tEST dATES

Convocation Ceremony

Academic Schedule Fall/Winter Term 2025-2026

Dates Applicable to all UM Students 

University Closure

When the University is closed no classes/examinations will be held

Dates Applicable to most UM Students

Some additional or differing date information is included in separate sections for: Agriculture Diploma, Art (School of), Dental Hygiene, Dentistry (includes IDDP), Education (B.Ed. only), Management, Medicine (excludes Family Social Sciences), Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant Studies, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule. 

Orientation

Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Dental Hygiene, Education (B.Ed. only), Management, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Start and End Dates

Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Education, Management, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician’s Assistant Studies, Respiratory Therapy, and Social Work. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Registration and Withdrawal Dates

Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and other faculties, colleges and/or schools offering irregularly scheduled courses. Agriculture Diploma, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy students should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule; all others should also refer to the Class Schedule.

Regular Registration Period

Registration Revision Period

Students may use this period of time to make changes to their selected courses or class schedule. Last day to drop is 1 business day prior to the end of the Registration Revision Period.

Last Date to Drop without Penalty

Last date to drop and have course excluded from transcripts; VWs will be recorded on transcripts for courses dropped after this date. There will be no refunds for courses dropped after this date. Additional or differing dates exist for Agriculture Diploma; students in this program should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Last Date to Register/Registration Revision Deadline

Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) Deadline

Last date to withdraw and not receive a final grade; students cannot withdraw from courses after this date

Fee Payment Deadlines

A financial penalty will be assessed on accounts with an outstanding balance after this date.*

*

Please see the Last Day to Drop without Penalty

Term Breaks

Academic and administrative offices will be open during this period; no classes, tests or assignment due dates occur during this time. Additional or differing dates exist for: Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Education (B.Ed. only), Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Respiratory Therapy. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule.

Examination and Test Dates

Students are reminded that they must remain available until all examination and test obligations have been fulfilled. Additional or differing dates exist for: Agriculture Diploma, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Pharmacy. Students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule. Students in faculties, colleges, schools or programs offering irregularly scheduled courses should also see the exam timetable available through their program office.

Challenge for Credit Application Deadline

Final Grade Appeal Deadlines

Graduation and University Convocation

Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates will be awarded at Convocation. Graduation date may differ from Convocation Ceremony date. Additional or differing dates exist for Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Respiratory Therapy; students in these programs should also see their respective section of the Academic Schedule. 

For students graduating Fall 2025

For students graduating February 2026

For students graduating Spring 2026

*

Last date for receipt by Graduate Studies of Theses/Practica and reports on Theses/Practica, comprehensive examinations, and project reports from students, and lists of potential graduands from departments.

Summer Dates applicable to Physician Assistant Studies (Mandatory Term)

Dates for Summer Term

Start and End Dates (Generally Monday to Thursday classes)

Classes on Monday, May 18^th will be made up on Friday, May 22^nd

Classes on Wednesday, July 1^st will be made up on Friday, July 3^rd

Classes on Monday, August 3^rd will be made up on Friday, August 7^th

May - August courses will have no classes scheduled Monday, June 15^th to Friday, June 26^th

Registration and Withdrawal Dates

Regular Registration Period

Registration start dates are to be determined by the Registrar’s Office.

Late Registration/Registration Revision Period

Students may use this period of time to make changes to their selected courses or class schedule.

Last Date to Drop without Penalty

Last date to drop and have course excluded from transcripts; VWs will be recorded on transcripts for courses dropped after this date. There will be no refunds for courses dropped after this date. 

Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) deadline

Last date to withdraw and not receive a final grade; students cannot withdraw from courses after this date.

Fee Payment Deadlines

*

A financial penalty will be assessed on accounts with an outstanding balance after this date. (determined by Financial Services)

Examination and Test Dates

Students are reminded that they must remain available until all examination and test obligations have been fulfilled.

Challenge for Credit