The following document outlines the core competencies and essential skills and abilities required for learners in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. These standards ensure that all candidates possess the necessary attributes to successfully complete the program and excel in their roles as competent and compassionate Physician Assistants. To learn more about these essential requirements, please click below to view the document.

The MPAS program at the University of Saskatchewan is open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents only. Proof of documents is required to meet the eligibility requirement.

Applying to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program involves several important steps. To ensure your application is considered, please follow these procedures:

1. Review Requirements: Thoroughly review the Admissions Requirements to ensure you meet all academic requirements and demonstrate the necessary personal qualities. 
2. Prepare Your Documents: Gather all necessary documents, including transcripts and any other required materials.
3. Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form and submit it along with your documents through the USask admissions portal. A non-refundable application fee of $120 is required unless you qualify for an application fee waiver. You must apply separately for the application fee waiver, and the portal to apply for the waiver will open at the same time as the application window.
4. Provide References: Include contact information for your three references (ideally in a supervisory or in a employer role) in your application. We will send a link via email to your referees to complete their letters of recommendation online.
5. Communication: All inquiries regarding your application must be emailed to mpas.admissions@usask.ca. Please note that we do not handle questions via phone or in-person visits. While you are welcome to stop by our office for a visit, we will not be able to answer any admission related questions during your visit.
6. Respectful Communication: Remember, our application review process begins with your first communication with the MPAS program office. Maintaining respectful and professional behavior throughout the admissions process is crucial.

We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the best of luck!

Applicants must review all requirements thoroughly to prepare their application and enhance their chances of acceptance. To learn more about the academic requirements for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, please visit our Admissions Requirements page.

Please note that the review of your application file begins with your first communication with the MPAS program office. We emphasize the importance of maintaining respectful and professional behavior throughout the admissions process to ensure a positive and constructive interaction.

• Admission Requirements

The MPAS program at the University of Saskatchewan is committed to promoting diversity and ensuring educational equity throughout the admissions process. Although there will be no transfer students or reserved seats for specific groups of applicants, the admissions process will consider factors such as Saskatchewan and rural connectedness, Indigenous background, and various intersections of diversity. These considerations are applied at every stage of the admissions process to ensure representation of these important groups and to foster an inclusive learning environment.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to complete the verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship through the University of Saskatchewan deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy. Indigenous applicants will have their applications reviewed by Indigenous reviewers through a holistic lens and will have the option to have their interview conducted by members of the Indigenous community.

Please visit the Indigenous Membership/Citizenship Verification channel in PAWS and proceed through the verification system.

If you have any questions or require additional information about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin please contact: indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca.

All applicants must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents at the time of application and must submit a notarized/certified photocopy of one of the following documents:

• Canadian Birth Certificate
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship (passport must be current)
• Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of the card)
• Permanent Resident Card (both sides of the card)
• Canadian Citizenship Certificate (both pages)

The language of instruction and examination at the University of Saskatchewan is English. To ensure students can understand, communicate, and succeed in their programs, an acceptable level of academic English proficiency is required, encompassing written, spoken, reading, and listening components.

Proof of English proficiency is required for applicants to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Proof of English proficiency may be demonstrated through:

• Previous Education in English: 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 is English.
• Approved English Language Tests: Provision of evidence of English language proficiency, using one of the approved tests listed in the English Language Proficiency Policy.

For detailed information on specific language proficiency requirements and acceptable tests, please refer to the Graduate Studies English Language Proficiency Requirements page.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score before the application deadline.

Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.

Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.

If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

• Uploading documents

Preliminary Statement of Marks

• Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
• The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college, and must include a grading key/legend.
• All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
• Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

• Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
• Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.

Provide three references, ideally in a supervisory or employer role, who can speak to your personal qualities in an academic, volunteer, employment, or research environment. These references should be able to provide insights into your professional abilities, interpersonal skills, and suitability for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program.

When you enter your referees' contact information in the "Recommendation requests" section under the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab, they will receive an automatic email prompting them to submit their recommendations. Your application will not be considered complete until all references have responded. Within this section, you can monitor the status of your recommendation letters, send reminders to your referees, or cancel and replace a request if necessary.

After all required supplemental items are submitted and your referees have responded, the application status on your "My Account" page will update to "Complete."

Note: It is your responsibility to follow up with your references to ensure they submit their letters promptly. The MPAS program office will not contact your references on your behalf.

• Written Personal Statement: Respond to a specific question prompt to illustrate your motivations and suitability for the program.
• Supplemental Assessment: This includes video and written responses to assess various personal and professional qualities.
• Interview: Selected applicants will be invited for an interview to further evaluate their fit for the program.

Successful applicants will be notified of their admission status via email in early June for the fall intake. Applicants can also check their admission status in the application portal.

Offers of admission are pending the successful completion of the 4-year Baccalaureate degree and any prerequisite courses being completed during the year of application.

The University Council Policy on Admission to Degree Programs provides an opportunity for applicants to appeal negative decisions based on specific grounds. The grounds for an admission appeal are limited to the following:

• Unit Procedural Errors: If there were any errors in the procedures followed during the admission process.
• Incorrect or Incomplete Information: If evidence suggests that the information used in the assessment of the decision was wrong or incomplete.
• Assessment Not According to Published Criteria: If there is evidence that the assessment was not made according to the published admission qualifications and selection criteria.

A failure by the applicant to provide accurate and complete information in accordance with the established admission qualifications and selection criteria shall not be grounds for an appeal.

To initiate an appeal, the request should be sent via email to mpas.admissions@usask.ca within 5 business days of the notification of admission status. All appeals must be submitted with detailed documentation supporting the claim.

• You must accept the admission offer by the deadline mentioned in your offer letter. Missing this deadline may result in losing your spot in the program.

Submit an acknowledgement confirming that you have read and understood the Essential Skills and Abilities for MPAS learners. This is a crucial step to ensure you are aware of the requirements and expectations of the program.

To secure your place in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, we require a non-refundable acceptance deposit.

• Deposit Amount: 10% of the total tuition fee.
• Payment Deadline: The deposit must be paid by the specified deadline provided in your offer letter.
• Non-refundable Policy: Please note that the acceptance deposit is non-refundable. If you choose to withdraw your admission acceptance after paying the deposit, you will not receive a refund of this amount.

This deposit will be applied toward your tuition fees and confirms your commitment to join the MPAS program. If the deposit is not received by the deadline, your admission offer will be revoked.

Additional documentation may be required, such as a criminal record check, immunization records, respiratory fit testing, and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

More information and other requirements will be sent to accepted candidates via a pre-arrival guide. This guide will be communicated through your PAWS email, so it is important to check your USask emails regularly for updates from the MPAS program.