California Baptist University Physician Assistant Program
Riverside, California · Masters
Fees not published
Estimated costs for Fall 2026 through Summer 2027
A closer look
Faith-based PA program where Christ-led instructors prepare students to serve patients, with an emphasis on supporting underserved communities worldwide.
Mission & approach
CBU's physician assistant program will prepare graduates who are globally minded and academically prepared to provide quality health care in their communities and to underserved populations. In support of the university's mission, the program will fulfill the "Core 4" outcomes by producing students that are academically prepared, biblically rooted, globally minded and equipped to serve.
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Check three basics
Enter any GPA or patient care hours you know. We’ll compare them with this school’s published numbers. This is a starting point, not an eligibility decision.
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Admissions insights
What this program looks for in applicants
Holistic, most-qualified selection: completeness, transcript/academic performance, letters, 250-word personal statement, interview, and on-site local screening exams in basic math & English composition (70% to pass). Preference for veterans, CBU graduates, applicants interested in serving the Inland Empire/California shortage areas, US citizens/permanent residents, community-service volunteers,…
Summarized from the program’s admissions information. Confirm current selection criteria with the program.
Program admissions informationHow this program interviews
Interview day runs all day and includes face-to-face interviews with the admissions committee plus local screening exams in math and English composition — you must score at least 70% on those to pass. Admission is rolling, with seats offered at several points in the cycle.
Source checked Jul 26, 2026. Interview formats and dates can change between cycles.
Program interview informationAdmissions & prerequisites
Admission requirements
Prerequisite coursework
Units (semester or quarter not specified)Review each course, its lab, and the program’s policies. Your links are planning records; the program decides equivalency.
Courses shown as alternatives in the table are not all required. Confirm the accepted route with the program.
- Chemistry route: General chemistry I and II with lab OR Organic + inorganic + biochemistry sequence
| Course | Credits | Lab | Min grade |
|---|---|---|---|
Human anatomy & physiology I and II with lab2 course(s)Course notes & alternativesOne year, or an equivalent combination covering all human systems. | 8Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Required | B- |
| General chemistry I and II with lab2 course(s) One-year route. Alternative: three separate organic, inorganic and biochemistry courses totaling 12 units. | 8Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Required | B- |
| Organic + inorganic + biochemistry sequence3 course(s) Three separate courses; alternative to general chemistry I/II. Confirm lab equivalencies. | 12Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Not specified | B- |
| Microbiology | 3–4Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Required | B- |
| Genetics | 2–3Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Not specified | B- |
General / developmental / abnormal psychology1 course(s)Course notes & alternativesOne course; choose one subject. | 3–4Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Not specified | B- |
College algebra / calculus / precalculus / statistics1 course(s)Course notes & alternativesOne course; choose one subject. | 3Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Not specified | B- |
English / writingCourse notes & alternativesOne year; confirm course sequence and units. | 6–8Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Not specified | B- |
Social sciences / humanities3 course(s)Course notes & alternativesThree courses; literature cannot double count toward English. | 9Units (semester or quarter not specified) | Not specified | B- |
Policies that can change your plan
- Minimum grade
- B-minus or better in all prerequisites.
- Course age
- Science within five years recommended, not mandatory.
- Delivery
- Online courses at U.S. regionally accredited institutions are accepted, and in-person science labs are strongly recommended. Coursework must transfer to California Baptist University (CBU).
- Exam credit
- Documented AP may cover only math and English.
- Units
- The program does not say whether its units are semester or quarter units. Ask the program before comparing transcripts.
Review the notes and alternative routes before choosing classes. Having completed a course does not guarantee it will be accepted as equivalent.
When courses must be complete: All prerequisites must be completed and posted by the January 15 application deadline.
Dates & application steps
Your application must be verified by the deadline.
Know what the total includes
Published cost estimate
Estimated costs for Fall 2026 through Summer 2027Confirm rates for your entering cohort
Tuition is $120,438; with fees the total is $133,128 (2026–27 rates).
Curriculum & clinical training
Didactic study
Basic and clinical sciences, examination skills, professional practice, ethics and research support patient care.
Clinical education
Nine clerkships provide patient encounters and teamwork in clinical settings.
The program has one didactic year followed by one clinical year in Riverside. Total units are published as both 116 and 120, so confirm the total with the program.
The admitted class
Incoming Class 2025
Published class statisticsThese are averages for the incoming Class of 2025. Average prerequisite GPA is 3.86; the earlier 3.71 and 3.66 figures are from the Class of 2023.
Compare published cohorts
| Class | Published GPA | Published science-related GPA | Published experience hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming Class 2025 | 3.74Mean Overall/cumulative GPA | 3.68Mean Science GPA | 3,652Mean Patient care hours |
Published class statistics describe the named cohort or population. They are not admission minimums or acceptance probabilities.
The program’s track record
Graduate outcomes
PANCE pass rates
See first-time program performance with clearly dated national context.
- First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%
- Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate: 96%
Accreditation history
ContinuedSources you can open
Links to the program’s own pages and the official directories we use.
- California Baptist University curriculum
- California Baptist University program page-qualified class profile
- California Baptist University program page
- PA School Finder contact record
- PA School Finder deadline record
- ARC-PA currently accredited programs — sponsoring-institution directory
- California Baptist University program page
- Program contact page
About the U.S. News rank
The U.S. News PA rank uses the 2025 PA edition, matched to the listed program and campus. It reflects peer-assessed reputation, not admissions odds or a personal fit score. Programs without a separate entry are labeled “Unranked.”
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