Admissions
How to apply training video:
What are the requirements for the MPAS Program:
- In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must:
- Permanent resident or Canadian citizen
- 4-year bachelors degree from a college or university recognized by the University of Manitoba.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two full years (60 credit hours) of study. Applicants should be aware that a competitive GPA for the program is 3.5.
- Undergraduate courses in human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry are required (a minimum three credit hours of each), Microbiology and psychology are asset courses.
- Applicants must complete or register to take the TakeAltus (CASPer) required Situational Judgement Test prior to the January 15 application deadline. For more information, please visit the TakeAltus website
- Unlike many other graduate studies programs, applicants do not require advisors or supervisors to apply to the program.
- The College of Physician and Surgeons of Manitoba (the Manitoba Physician Assistant regulatory agency) and the Max Rady College of Medicine requires an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 across all bands for Registration on the Educational Registry. As MPAS students must be eligible for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba on the Education Registry, the 7.0 scores are required for program acceptance and the Physician Assistant Registry.
- Additional faculty of graduate studies requirements:
https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/graduate-student-admissions/requirements
Can you apply in your 4th year of study?
- 4th year students in their last year of study may apply, however, their degree must be completed by the start of the program in August.
What is required in the application:
- $125 application fee (non-refundable)
- CV/resumé
- Statement of intent
- Self-declaration statement (found in the application portal)
- TakeAltus (CASPer) test completed by application deadline
- Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates
- Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
What is the Application deadline
- The application deadline every year is January 15, all required documents and information must be submitted in the portal before that day.
When does the application portal open each year?
- The application portal opens in spring each year.
When are the offers of admission released?
- Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 22, 2026 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.
Can the program assess my courses for eligibility?
- We do not provide recommendations of courses however, generally, if the course is from an accredited university, meets the minimum requirements, and has "Biochemistry/Anatomy/Physiology" in the course title, it is generally accepted.
Can the program assess my GPA prior to the application closing?
- No, we do not assess GPAs, or calculate GPAs prior to the application portal closing, to evaluate your GPA, you can use the following link:
https://umanitoba.ca/sites/default/files/2021-04/gpa_calculator.pdf
How is your GPA calculated?
- Your GPA is calculated using your most recent 60 credit hours of study, full or part time.
- For more information, visit https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/admissions/requirements#how-to-calculate-canadian-and-us-gpas
If you have previous medical education, can you fast-track the degree?
- No, you must complete the full 2 years of the program.
Can you complete the program remotely?
- No, the program is an in-person, full-time program.
How do I apply?
- You will apply through the application portal found here: https://applygrad.umanitoba.ca/apply/
For the self-declaration, can the program tell you what to declare?
- No, this is a self-declaration, the program can not provide input as to what you declare.
International Students
Can international students apply to the program?
- You must be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen to apply to the program.
Can the program evaluate my international degree?
- No, the program does not evaluate your degree until after the application portal has closed. For international degree equivalencies, please use the following link:
Can the program evaluate my international GPA?
- No, the program does not evaluate your GPA until after the application portal has closed. For international GPA information, please find the following link:
Does my degree need to be evaluated by WES?
- For information regarding WES please contact graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Do I need an English Language Testing System (IELTS) score?
- English is the language of instruction and communication at the University of Manitoba. To meet the English language proficiency requirements, applicants must have either:
Received a high school diploma or university degree from Canada or one of the countries listed on the English Language Proficiency Test Exemption List OR Submitted a passing, English language test score.
For applicants requiring an English language test, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 across all bands is required for both program acceptance and registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. No other English language tests will be accepted.
In all cases, test scores older than two years are invalid.
For more information, please find the following link:
PA Shadowing
Can I shadow a Physician Assistant?
- Unfortunately, shadowing is no longer available through the WRHA.
Tuition and Fees
What is the tuition for the MPAS Program?
- The program consists of 2 years that each include 3 terms.
- As of September 2026, the cost of term 1 and 2 is $11,641.40 per term, term 3 is a continuing fee of $800, for a total of $24,082.80 per year ($48,165.60 for the full two years).
- Tuition fees are subject to change each year.
More information about tuition rates can be found here:
https://umanitoba.ca/registrar/tuition-fees/graduate#masters-program-tuition-rates
What are the student fees for the MPAS Program?
- As of September 2026, additional student fees for MPAS students totaled approximately $1,660 per year
- Student fees are subject to change each year.
- Student fees for the MPAS program can be found here:
https://umanitoba.ca/registrar/tuition-fees/graduate#masters-program-tuition-rates
Financial Aid and Award
Are there awards and bursaries available?
- Awards and bursaries are available to the PA students, we encourage all students to apply for all awards, including for general bursaries: http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/gradawards/
Program Questions
What are the technology requirements?
- Students are responsible for ensuring their devices are compatible with the following required software systems*:
-
- Examplify
- Minimum System Requirements can be found here: https://examsoft.com/resources/examplify-minimum-system-requirements/
- UM Learn
- Minimum System Requirements can be found here: https://umanitoba.ca/centre-advancement-teaching-learning/technologies/umlearn
- Entrada
- No minimum system requirements, however it is recommended that students use Chrome or Safari when accessing the website.
- Multi Factor Authenticator
- Minimum System Requirements can be found here: https://umanitoba.ca/information-services-technology/information-security-compliance/um-multi-factor-authentication
- Zoom
- Minimum System Requirements can be found here: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060748
*Platforms may change at the discretion of the Department of Family Medicine.
Do I need a car?
- The student is required to have their own transportation to and from school and to and from clinical sites. Clinical sites can be within city limits or in rural settings, where public transportation is not an option.
Do I need to move to Manitoba?
- Yes, you are required to attend the 2 year program in-person, and will be required to move to Manitoba by the start of the program.
Will I be required to be on-call and work nights?
- Students have scheduled night and call shifts within reason, within the MPAS policies and procedures.
Does the program reimburse for rural rotation costs?
- The program does reimburse for mileage and cover accommodation costs in accordance with university policy. For rural areas core rotations MPAS covers housing costs for the student at a location arranged by the Program. Some housing arrangements may be shared rooms in a house. If accommodations are unsuitable for any reason, students can make separate arrangements, but they cover any expense beyond the cost of the MPAS-sponsored accommodation. The program also arranges air travel within Manitoba.
Am I required to complete rural rotations?
- Students are expected to complete any assigned rural rotations. Rural rotations are the standard for all students. Placements can be outside of city limits for up to 8 weeks at a time.
Can I choose my clinical rotation placements?
- No, the program schedules your clinical placements and do not consult with students.
What other requirements are there for MPAS students?
- If accepted into the program, students will be required to complete a criminal record check, adult and child abuse checks, and be up to date with current immunizations.
- Students will need to be eligible for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and must maintain their provisional student license while participating in the program. More information about CPSM requirements can be here on the CPSM website: https://cpsm.mb.ca/registration/applying-for-registration/students-and-graduates#anchor_physician-assistant-students
- More information about program requirements can be found in the MPAS Supplementary Regulations: https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/administration/supplementary-regulations