Samuel Merritt University
Accreditation notice
This program has had 1 accreditation action in the past 5 years, including Administrative Probation. See the accreditation history section for details.
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Program starts
Jul 1, 2027 · 255 days
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About the program
Overview
Mission statement
The Master Physician Assistant Department at Samuel Merritt University strives to serve the University and the medical community by preparing graduates who are interdependent medical providers, demonstrate commitment to the community and the profession through active leadership, manifest critical and creative thinking, utilize effective communication skills, and who possess the educational foundation for continued growth and development in a changing world of diverse cultures.
Program features
The faculty of the Samuel Merritt University Physician Assistant (PA) program places significant importance on the admission process. We believe that recruiting high-quality candidates who will actively engage in graduate medical education and honor the responsibility placed on a healthcare provider is imperative to the success of our graduates and our institution. To this end, the PA faculty has identified core values that will be evaluated in all candidates for admission to our program.
Clinical rotations
The program includes ten clerkships during the 12‑month clinical phase: eight required rotations (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Women’s Health, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Behavioral Medicine) and two electives, each lasting approximately five weeks.
- Credentials offered
- Master's degree (not Master's of Public Health)
- Doctorate offered
- No
- On-campus housing
- No
- CASPA participant
- Yes
The numbers
At a glance
PANCE 2-yr avg
77.5%
First-time pass rate
Class size
44
Cohort
Tuition
$172,211
Total program
Min GPA
3.00
Required
Plan ahead
Critical dates
- Checked against the PAEA Program Directory on Apr 4, 2026Sep 1, 2026Application deadlinePassed
- Jul 1, 2027Program starts255 days
- Not publishedCASPA verification due
The process
Admissions
Updated Apr 4, 2026
Program requirements
- Min overall GPA
- 3.00
- Min science GPA
- 3.00
- Min PCE hours
- 1,000
- Min direct patient care
- 1,000 hrs
- Healthcare experience
- Required
- Shadowing
- Recommended but not required
Interview format
Traditional Interview; Panel Interview; Group Interview; Multiple Mini Interview (MMI); Scenario Room
Virtual permitted · Traditional Interview; Panel Interview; Group Interview; Multiple Mini Interview (MMI); Scenario Room
Application style
Single decision date
No supplemental application
Required tests
Letters of recommendation — minimum 3
PA; Physician; Other health care provider
Acceptance policies
with exceptions. Please visit the program's website.
with exceptions. Please visit the program's website.
Veteran support
CASPer
The bill
Costs
Updated Apr 4, 2026
Supplemental fee waiver: Not available
Total cost of attendance
1 recorded cost estimate
See the recorded total cost-of-attendance estimate. Published tuition and fees remain above. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: www.samuelmerritt.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Coursework
Prerequisites
Coursework policies
7 recorded policy fields
Read the recorded coursework policies and any available source excerpts or unresolved policy questions. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: www.samuelmerritt.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Math
1 required course.
- Statistics
Science
6 required courses.
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Microbiology
- Biology Elective
- Inorganic/General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Course requirement details
7 prerequisite records
Read the recorded course requirements, including available credits, grades, lab rules, time limits and source excerpts. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: www.samuelmerritt.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Admitted students
Class profile
- Avg overall GPA
- 3.57
- Avg science GPA
- 3.55
Gender
- female 82%
- male 18%
Ethnicity
- white 41%
- asian 20%
- hispanic 18%
- multiracial 9%
- black 7%
- nativeHawaiian 5%
Admissions and outcomes
8 recorded admissions, faculty and outcome fields across this program page
See the recorded admissions funnel, faculty and outcome data throughout this page. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: www.samuelmerritt.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Outcomes
PANCE pass rates
Latest first-time pass rate (2024): 77.0%
Two-year average: 77.5%
Program PANCE pass rates checked against the program's published figures on Mar 26, 2026View the program's PANCE sourcePANCE history and comparison
10 years of PANCE results
See the available year-by-year results, trend and national comparison. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: www.samuelmerritt.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Track record
Accreditation history
- First accredited
- 1999/04/01
- Last continued
- June 2021
- Next review
- July 2029
- January 2026Progress Report
The program's PANCE pass rate percentage was 85% or less for its 2024 cohort. The program submitted the required analysis of PANCE performance. The commission accepted the report.
- September 2025Progress Report
The commission accepted the report addressing observations for 5th edition Standards A3.11, A3.12d, A3.12e, and E1.09b and noted 0 areas of noncompliance with the Standards. The program also submitted an Exceeding Class Size report which the commission accepted.
- March 2025Program Change
Program Change: Change in Graduation Requirements. The commission did not approve the program's proposed change in credits from 88 to 93 and noted 4 new observations from the commission.
- June 2024Program Change
Program Change: One-time temporary increase in class size to 46 in order to accommodate two incoming students from a closing program. The commission approved the program's proposed change.
- June 2023Progress Report
The program exceeded the maximum entering class size. The program submitted the required Exceeding Class Size report. The commission accepted the report.
Trust
Where this data comes from
- paschoolfinder.com/item/midwestern-university-downers-groveUpdated Apr 17, 2026
Last updated: Apr 17, 2026
Directory facts are sourced from the PAEA directory.