Apply Now!
Applications for the Fall 2025 intake is now open. A non-refundable application fee of $120 is required to process your application unless you qualify for an application fee waiver.
Watch the recording of the MPAS Information Session here.
Welcome to the MPAS Program
Program Overview
Welcome to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. As the inaugural program in our province, we are committed to fostering excellence in training, research, and clinical practice. We aim to prepare Physician Assistants who will become key contributors to collaborative health-care teams, significantly improving service efficiency and patient care.
Physician Assistants are health care professionals that work under the supervision of licensed physicians, but have autonomy to perform a wide range of clinical tasks and procedures. By nature, Physician Assistants work in teams with many other health professionals in clinics, hospitals and communities. Learning alongside and from other health sciences students will strengthen interprofessional relationships that can support stronger, more team-based health care in the workplace.
Quick Facts
Program Type |
Course-based with a research capstone project |
Program length |
24-month, full-time program (96 Weeks, 6 semesters in total) |
Start Date |
Fall 2025 |
Application Timelines |
Applications to be accepted in Sept 2024 - Nov 2024 for Fall 2025 start |
Residency eligibility |
Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligibly to apply for the MPAS program. |
Prerequisites and Admissions Information |
Please review all admissions requirements, including prerequisites courses and deadlines to submit them, on our Admissions Page. |
Tuition |
The estimated tuition rate for each academic year is approximately $15,000 to $16,500. In addition to tuition, students are required to pay Graduate Student Fees. For more information about these fees, please visit our Graduate Tuition and Fees page. Please note that there may be additional costs, including expenses related to rotation travel, textbooks, professional registration, and criminal record checks. These figures are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year will be reviewed and potentially updated in March - April 2025. Please check our website regularly for the most current information. |
MPAS Scholarship Funding |
Available, but not guaranteed. For more information, visit Scholarships and Awards. |
CASPer Requirement |
No |
English Language Requirement |
Proof of language proficiency is required. More details at USask Graduate Admissions |
Location |
Year 1: Saskatoon Year 2: At least 50% of second-year clinical placements are being planned to be located outside Saskatchewan’s major urban centres (Saskatoon and Regina) |
Potential Career Paths |
Numerous diverse career paths in all areas of medicine are possible after completing MPAS and the national PA licencing examination. No additional formal training is required after completing MPAS program to enter the health care workforce. |
Accreditation |
The program will seek accreditation through Accreditation Canada’s EQual program, adhering to standards for Canadian PA programs |
About the Profession
Physician Assistants (PAs) are clinicians who practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. They are highly skilled and can work in any clinical setting, including on multidisciplinary health teams. They can extend the reach of a physician, and their scope of practice is determined by supervising physicians.
Under the supervision of a physician, PAs key functions can include:
PAs are trained as generalists and can seamlessly fit into many areas within the health system.
Canadian Physician Assistant Profiles:
To better acquaint our community with the Physician Assistant (PA) profession, newly introduced in our province, we are featuring profiles of Canadian PAs and PA students. These profiles, courtesy of Canadian PA Blog, offer a glimpse into the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of PAs, illustrating their vital contributions to health care. We thank Canadian PA Blog for allowing us to link to these inspiring stories. To explore the varied and impactful careers of these health-care professionals, please click on the profiles below.
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| Aurthi, Emergency Medicine PA | Andrew, Orthopaedic Trauma PA | Maureen, Infectious Disease PA |
Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA)
The Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) is a professional association dedicated to advocating for the introduction and expansion of the Physician Assistant (PA) profession in Canada. Serving as the national voice for PAs, CAPA promotes the role of PAs within the national health care framework and champions the profession's growth. While membership in CAPA is optional, it supports the establishment and maintenance of quality standards and competencies for PAs. New graduates may be eligible for reduced membership rates.
CAPA Code of Ethics
The CAPA Code of Ethics, adapted from the Canadian Medical Association’s guidelines, sets the ethical standards for PAs, ensuring they prioritize patient well-being, maintain professional integrity, and practice medicine competently. It emphasizes lifelong learning, confidentiality, equity in health care, and accountability in various professional scenarios.
For more information, visit Code of Ethics
Physician Assistant Certification Council of Canada (PACCC)
The PACCC certifies Canadian PAs, ensuring that they maintain the necessary competencies throughout their careers, which are essential across all areas of practice.
For additional resources and community engagement, CAPA recommends visiting the following:
- CAPA Facebook Page: Visit here for inquiries about PAs available for shadowing in your area.
- Canadian Pre-PA Student Network: Join the community here.
- Canadian PA Blog: Explore detailed insights and information here.
- Physician Assistant Podcast: Listen to discussions and updates here.
- ‘PA Dani’ YouTube Channel: Watch informative videos here.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS)
The CPSS is the regulatory body that licenses and oversees medical professionals in Saskatchewan, including Physician Assistants (PA). Their responsibilities include:
⦁ Ensuring safe and competent care by setting standards for practice and conduct.
⦁ Facilitating information exchange on regulatory matters among members.
⦁ Protecting public interest through rigorous licensure processes.
⦁ Administering assessments and certifications for practice eligibility.
For more detailed information about the regulations and standards, visit the CPSS website.
Admissions Process
Thank you for your interest in our MPAS program. As the province's only Physician Assistant training program, we are deeply committed to supplying the health care workforce with well-trained, highly competent professionals. Our program emphasizes strong connections to Saskatchewan, including our rural roots.
The MPAS admission requirements at the University of Saskatchewan are defined by the rigorous standards set by both the College of Medicine and the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Emphasizing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenous (EDIAI) values, our program is dedicated to providing equitable access to education for all, mirroring the University's commitment to creating a varied and inclusive academic environment.
Aligned with the College of Medicine’s commitment to social accountability, our program aims to significantly increase the representation of Saskatchewan residents, especially those from underserved communities. This initiative underlines our strategic goal to address local health care needs and promote a diverse range of perspectives within our academic community. We actively invite applicants from varied geographical and educational backgrounds to enhance our program and deepen our collective understanding of global and community health challenges.
Prospective students are advised that the MPAS curriculum is intensive, fast paced, full-time, and designed to prepare graduates for the complexities of the health care field with rigor and depth.
Admissions requirements for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program include:
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- A four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in any discipline from a recognized college or university, awarded prior to entry into the program.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last 60 credit units of study (i.e. equivalent to 20 courses).
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for applicants to graduate programs. Proof of English proficiency may be demonstrated through:
- A minimum of three consecutive years of full-time study or completion of a graduate degree at a recognized post-secondary institution, where the exclusive language of instruction and examination of the program and/or institution is English; or
- Provision of evidence of English language proficiency, using one of the approved tests listed in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
- Demonstration of full course load (30 credit units in a year) in at least two years of the undergraduate degree, one of these two years needs to be included in the last sixty credit units. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis after reviewing a written explanation by the applicant.
- Completion of 3 credit units in each of the following areas, with a minimum grade of 75% in each course:
- Indigenous Studies (List of approved courses or Indigenous Canada MOOC)
- Human Anatomy &
- Human Physiology (List of course equivalencies)
Additional coursework in the following areas is highly recommended: biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, psychology, statistics.
For more information on language proficiency requirements, see the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies for more information.
If you haven't yet completed the required courses, you can enroll in them during the 2024-25 academic year, but they must be completed by the end of Winter Term (T2). For more details on this and how to submit syllabi for course approval, click the link above.
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Contact Us
Office of Physician Assistant Studies
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Room 4A20, Health Sciences Building
107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5
: mpas@usask.ca
: 306-966-8365