MPAS Admission Requirements

The CASPA application process for each of Trine MPAS admissions cycle opens March/April and closes March/April of the next year. Please check the CASPA portal for exact dates. Applications may close before the cycle closes. One should apply early so all materials are entered and verified by CASPA by the closing date. Rolling Admissions means competitive, completed and verified applications will be considered as they are received. Applicants are invited for an interview based on the competitive pool for that year. Qualified candidates will be invited for a personal interview with MPAS Program faculty and staff. Candidates can expect to participate in individual and panel interviews, along with critical thinking exercises. Additional information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Graduate admission requirements for the Trine University Master of Physician Assistant Studies include:

• All applicants must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited United States institution prior to entry into the PA program
  The degree does not have to be in a science major, but the applicant must have successfully completed all required prerequisite coursework
• Each prerequisite course must be taken at an institutionally accredited US college or university or equivalent
  See FAQ 28 and 29 for equivalency
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or above
• Hard science GPA of 3.0 or above (See FAQ #10 for list)
• Prerequisite courses must have no grade lower than C or must be successfully repeated at the same or higher level and credit hours
• Prerequisite hard science courses are required to be of a rigorous nature designed for science majors as opposed to lower-level survey courses
  See FAQ 8 for program description of rigor
• Completion of the GRE General Test within the last 5 years
  The CASPA GRE Designated Institution Code for Trine University is 7343
• All matriculating applicants must meet the Technical Standards
  Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
  
• No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code
• At least two academic or professional letters of recommendation
• Discernment into the profession, including but not limited to, health care experience, patient contact, shadowing
  See FAQ 21 and 24 for definition and examples

Coursework specifically designated for healthcare providers or premedical classes is preferable (when available) as these will better prepare you for the level of study in the MPAS Program. If you have completed a course designed for non-science majors or designated as 100 level or survey, we require you upload a copy of the syllabi to the Documents section of CASPA for Admissions Committee review. We will contact you with a determination and recommendation, if deemed non-rigorous, to take a different course that meets requirements.
Prerequisite courses must have no course grade lower than C or else they must be successfully repeated at the same or higher level and credit hours. Advanced Placement (AP) or dual enrollment credit courses can be used toward the undergraduate degree and statistics and psychology but not for hard sciences prerequisites.

• One semester of human anatomy with required lab (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours). Individual or combined A&P (with lab) courses will be accepted.
• One semester of human physiology (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours). Individual or combined A&P (with lab) courses will be accepted.
• One semester of microbiology (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
• One semester of biochemistry (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
• One semester of organic chemistry (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
• One semester of statistics (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
• One semester of psychology (minimum 3 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours)
• One semester of medical terminology (minimum 1 semester hour or equivalent quarter hours) or valid certificate of completion

Competitive applicants demonstrate the qualities essential to successful completion of the program and entry into the profession:

• Well-qualified, exceeding standard requirements for admission
  See Admission Requirements and Competitive Guidelines
• Well-prepared, academically equipped to successfully handle the demands of the program’s curriculum
  See Admission Requirements and Competitive Guidelines
• Well-versed, demonstrating strong performance in coursework relevant to the program
  See Relevant Coursework (FAQ 7)
• Well-matched, with academic and career goals aligned with program curriculum, teaching and learning goals and other “FIT” factors
  Assessing Program Fit (FAQ 22)
• Well-suited, demonstrating an interest in and affinity for the planned field of study
  See Professional Discernment (FAQ 21)

Competitive applicants to the Trine University MPAS program have:

• The following grade point averages (GPAs)
  • 3.5 or above cumulative
  • 3.5 or above hard science
• Relevant and rigorous hard science coursework earning a B or better
• The following scores on the GRE General Test
  • 305 or above overall
  • 153 or above quantitative reasoning
  • 152 or above verbal reasoning
  • 4.0 or above analytical writing
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills during the invited interview

"Favored specified individuals or groups" utilize a particular entry pathway into the Trine University MPAS program for which other candidates are not eligible.
There are five groups who follow altered admission and enrollment practices:

1. Direct Entry (high school students matriculated into Trine University)
   For qualifying high school students who choose to attend Trine for both undergraduate and graduate school 
   • Requirements can be found here
2. Trine University Undergraduate Direct Admission Pathway
   For current, qualified Trine University undergraduate students accepted into this pathway
   • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.5
   • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard science GPA ≥ 3.50 (see FAQ #10 for list)
   • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
   • Completion of the GRE General Test within the last 5 years
   • Complete application through CASPA
   • Must have completed ≥ 200 hours of health care experience including, but not limited to, health care experience, patient contact, shadowing
     • Waived during 2021-2022 CASPA cycle due to COVID restrictions
   • Successfully complete a Trine University Bachelor's degree
     • The degree does not have to be in a science major, but the applicant must have successfully completed all required prerequisite coursework
   • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
     • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
     • Must meet the Technical Standards
       Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
       
     • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code
3. MPAS Direct Admission Pathway
   For qualified students from institutions with which we have active articulation agreements
   • Maintain an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.5
   • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard science GPA ≥ 3.00 (see FAQ #10 for list)
   • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
   • Completion of the GRE within the last 5 years
   • Complete application through CASPA
   • Must have completed ≥ 200 hours of health care experience including, but not limited to, health care experience, patient contact, shadowing
   • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
     • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
     • Must meet the Technical Standards
       Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
       
     • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code
4. Guaranteed Interview 
   For students who apply via CASPA and meet specific criteria
   • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.50
   • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard science GPA ≥ 3.50 (see FAQ #10 for list)
   • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
   • Completion of the GRE within the last 5 years
   • Complete application through CASPA
   • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
     • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
     • Must meet the Technical Standards
       Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
       
     • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code
5. Memorandum of Understanding
   For students from institutions with an active Memorandum of Understanding
   • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.2
   • Each final course grade earned is a C or better 
   • Complete the GRE General Test within the last 5 years
   • Apply for admission via CASPA by November 1
   • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
     • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
     • Must meet the Technical Standards
       Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
       
     • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code

The Program allows: 

1. up to 10 seats per cohort reserved for the Direct Entry and Trine University Undergraduate Direct Admission Pathways
   1. includes both high school and Trine University undergraduate direct entry
2. up to 2 seats per cohort reserved for each institution with an active articulation agreement
3. the Program will limit the number of institutions with an active articulation agreement to eight (8)
4. the total number of students potentially entering the program through the Direct Entry, Trine University Undergraduate Direct Admissions Pathway, and MPAS Admission Pathway will be twenty-six (26)

Current institutions with an active articulation agreement: 

• • Huntington University (Huntington, IN)
  • Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL)
  • Ripon College (Ripon, WI)
  • Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, IN)

Current institutions with an active Memorandum of Understanding: 

• • Benedictine University (Lisle, IL)

Trine University has a Direct Entry pathway to admission to the Trine University MPAS program for those meeting the necessary requirements. For more information on the Direct Entry path as a future or current Trine University student, see the following link or talk to your academic advisor. Up to 10 seats per cohort are reserved for the Trine University direct entry pathways (high school and Trine University undergraduate direct entry).

Requirements for selection to enter the Trine University Undergraduate Direct Admission Pathway: 

• • Successful completion of undergraduate requirements allowing entry into the Junior year
  • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.5
  • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard sciences GPA ≥ 3.50 (see FAQ #10 for list)
  • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
  • Complete a request to the Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences and the MPAS Program
  • Attend an information-only session with the MPAS Program representative

Entry into the Trine University Undergraduate Direct Admission Pathway is not guaranteed.

Trine University undergraduate students accepted into this pathway must:

• • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.5
  • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard sciences GPA ≥ 3.50 (see FAQ #10 for list)
  • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
  • Completion of the GRE General Test within the last 5 years
  • Complete application through CASPA
  • Must have completed ≥ 200 hours of health care experience including, but not limited to, health care experience, patient contact, shadowing
    • Waived during 2021-2022 CASPA cycle due to COVID restrictions
  • Successfully complete a Trine University Bachelor's degree
    • The degree does not have to be in a science major, but the applicant must have successfully completed all required prerequisite coursework
  • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
    • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
    • Must meet the Technical Standards
      Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
      
    • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code

Students from institutions holding an active articulation agreement with Trine University may also follow the direct entry pathway. These students must meet the same requirements as Trine's Direct Admission students. Up to 2 seats are reserved for each institution with an active articulation agreement. For institutions wishing to pursue an articulation agreement, please contact pa@trine.edu . 

The requirements of all undergraduate students (high school or undergraduate entry) in a direct entry admission pathway are:

• • Maintain an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.5
  • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard science GPA ≥ 3.50 (see FAQ #10 for list)
  • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
  • Completion of the GRE within the last 5 years
  • Complete application through CASPA
  • Must have completed ≥ 200 hours of health care experience including, but not limited to, health care experience, patient contact, shadowing
  • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
    • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
    • Must meet the Technical Standards
      Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
      
    • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code

Current institutions with an active articulation agreement: 

• Huntington University (Huntington, IN)
• Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL)
• Ripon College (Ripon, WI)
• Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, IN)

The Trine University MPAS Program offers a “Guaranteed Interview” option to all qualified students as defined by:

• • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.5
  • Achieve an undergraduate overall hard science GPA ≥ 3.50 (see FAQ #10 for list)
  • Each prerequisite course grade earned is a C or better
  • Completion of the GRE within the last 5 years
  • Complete application through CASPA
  • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
    • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
    • Must meet the Technical Standards
      Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
      
    • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code

The MPAS Program offers a “Guaranteed Interview” option to all qualified students from outside institutions that have an active Memorandum of Understanding.  Qualified students:

• • Achieve an undergraduate overall GPA ≥ 3.2
  • Each final course grade earned is a C or better 
  • Complete the GRE General Test within the last 5 years
  • Apply for admission via CASPA by November 1
  • Must meet all other applicable admissions standards
    • Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Canada (with proper qualifications to study in the US)
    • Must meet the Technical Standards
      Included in enrollment checklist and documentation
      
    • No history of felony conviction, as defined by U.S. Code

Current institutions with an active Memorandum of Understanding: 

• Benedictine University (Lisle, IL)