Physician Assistant Program

Overview

Graduates of our Physician Assistant (PA) Program will be equipped with the academic, clinical, professional and cultural skills necessary to deliver effective health care services. They will develop critical thinking abilities and be prepared to offer compassionate, comprehensive care to improve the health of their patients and communities in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Consistent with the goals of the entire College of Medicine, the Physician Assistant Program emphasizes humanism in medicine, which takes into account the dedication required for individualized and personalized medicine.

Mission

The Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program’s mission is to prepare graduates to be academically, clinically, professionally and culturally competent physician assistants who are devoted to serving patients in their communities through the application of clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to deliver compassionate and comprehensive care.

Vision

The vision of the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is to prepare motivated and academically qualified students with various lived experiences for certification and licensure as competent PAs that will improve healthcare delivery through education, direct patient care, and community outreach.

Goals of the PA Program

• Goal 1: Matriculate students who are academically qualified to complete the Penn State College of Medicine PA Program
• Goal 2: Graduate students who demonstrate core medical knowledge necessary for entry to clinical practice
• Goal 3: Develop professional clinicians who effectively function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams

More Information About the Goals of the PA Program and How Success Is Measured

Admissions

How to Apply

Penn State College of Medicine's Physician Assistant Program uses Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and adheres to CASPA's Admissions Code of Conduct.

Before beginning your CASPA application, please review the program admissions requirements, which can be found below. All CASPA-verified applicants will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

The verified CASPA application deadline is Dec. 1.

LionPATH Registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) Dec. 15.

Start or Continue Your Application Through CASPA

Penn State LionPATH Registration

Penn State College of Medicine requires all applicants who are invited to interview to register in LionPATH, Penn State's internal admissions system, to be eligible to receive an offer of admission.

All applicants selected for an interview will receive personalized LionPATH registration instructions via email prior to their interview date.

• Registration is free of charge
• The process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete
• No action is required unless you are invited to interview

Key Dates

• Oct 1: Date by which you are strongly encouraged to complete your CASPA application, which allows sufficient time for CASPA processing
• Dec 1: Firm deadline by which your primary application must be CASPA-verified to be considered for a June start in the program.
• Dec 15: Firm deadline by which your secondary application must be completed.
• June: Start of the program for new students.

2026-2027 Interview Cycle

The 2026-2027 admissions interview cycle will be conducted virtually.

We are confident that what has been developed for this year's interview experience will enable candidates to experience the Penn State PA Program virtually to the best extent possible while also providing candidates ample opportunity to share who they are.

Our admissions committee will learn a great deal before a request to interview is offered based on all aspects of the CASPA and secondary applications. Our committee takes great pride in reading and reviewing each candidate's file prior to interviewing.

It is the goal of the PA admissions committee to provide a seamless, safe and informative experience from the candidate's current location.

Interview sessions provide a personalized experience with the program and involve the following activities:

• Program director interview
• Faculty/staff/alumni panel
• Program presentation
• Current student session

Advanced Placement Policy

The Penn State College of Medicine PA Program is a full-time academic program administered in a sequential fashion that builds from courses completed in the prior term. The program does not award credit for experiential learning or advanced placement, nor does the program accept transfer credits.

Preference Factors

Penn State's holistic admissions process considers multiple factors beyond academic performance. While meeting the minimum GPA requirements is an essential component of the review process, academic metrics alone do not determine interview selection or admission decisions.

The Penn State PA Program gives interview preference to applicants who demonstrate one or more of the following attributes:

• Residence in a rural or federally designated underserved community
• Origin from an educationally or economically disadvantaged background
• First-generation college student status
• Veteran or active-duty military service
• Pennsylvania residency
• Graduation from Penn State University
• Employment within Penn State Health
• Completion of an advanced degree

Meeting one or more preference factors does not guarantee an interview invitation or admission to the Program.

All applications are reviewed holistically. Interview invitations are extended following a comprehensive application review of preference factors, cumulative GPA, science GPA, patient care experience (type and hours), extent of leadership experience, volume of research involvement, and extent of volunteer and community engagement.

Application Requirements

General Application Requirements ^A3.12b

Applicants to Penn State College of Medicine must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have official DACA status. International candidates are not eligible.

For applications to be screened by the admissions committee, applicants must have a verified CASPA application that includes:

• Personal/biographic information, experiences, achievements, and certifications
• Academic history with official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• CASPA-calculated overall cumulative GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0
• CASPA-calculated overall science GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0
• Completion of the GRE (no minimum score requirement): GRE school code 0900
  • In lieu of the GRE, applicants may provide MCAT, PCAT, or DAT scores. The program has not adopted using the PA-CAT test results as a substitution for the GRE.
    • MCAT (old version) 29 or MCAT (new version) 505 required
    • PCAT total score 75^th percentile rank or higher
    • DAT total score of 18 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation
• Completion of the release statement
• Submission of personal essay

All applicants must agree to abide by the CASPA Professional Code of Conduct and the CASPA Admissions Code of Cooperation.

Incomplete applications will not be considered or screened by the admissions committee.

Following completion of the CASPA application for admission, each applicant will have to register in LionPATH, the college's internal admissions system, prior to interview participation. There is no application fee associated with LionPath registration.

Prior Education

All applicants must have a bachelor's degree with completion of all academic requirements from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college/university. Health science majors are preferred; however, this is not a mandatory requirement for application or admission.

Candidates should have a CASPA-calculated overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a CASPA-calculated overall science GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicants may apply to the program while prerequisite coursework and degree completion are still in progress. However, all prerequisite courses and degree requirements must be successfully completed and verified prior to matriculation into the program in May.

Pre-Requisite Course Requirements

Applicants must complete the following courses with a C or better:

• General Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters or one semester each)
• Microbiology
• General or Principles of Chemistry
• Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry
• General Psychology
• Statistics or Biostatistics
• English Composition (two semesters, or two writing intensive courses)

Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.

Three pre-requisite courses have a seven-year currency:

• Anatomy / A&P I
• Physiology / A&P II
• Microbiology

This currency requirement will be waived for any applicant who has been working full-time and continuously in the healthcare field since completion of coursework.

AP credits accepted by the undergraduate institution can be used to satisfy general biology, general chemistry, psychology, statistics, and English composition courses.

Medical Terminology

Completion of a designated Medical Terminology course is not required as a pre-requisite course. However, all students who matriculate into the program will be required to pass a medical terminology exam during PAS 736 (Introductory Concepts in medicine). A list of terms that may be used as a guide for studying will be provided to accepted students by April 1^st of their matriculating year through the online pre-matriculation forum. Incoming students may self-study or take a formal medical terminology course prior to matriculation.

Healthcare and Patient Care Experience Hours ^A3.12d

Applicants must have a minimum of 500 healthcare experience hours (paid or volunteer) prior to matriculation into the PA program. These hours can be in progress or planned during the application and interview cycle. While the program is flexible in accepting a wide variety of hours to help satisfy the 500-hour requirement, hours as a personal trainer or lifeguard are not accepted.

For admissions related questions, please contact 717-531-0003, ext 285595, or PSUPAProgram@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Early Assurance Pathway ^A3.12a

In support of Penn State’s commitment as Pennsylvania’s land-grant university to recruiting and educating students from across the Commonwealth, the Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program maintains Early Assurance Pathway (EAP) agreements with select partner institutions.

The Early Assurance pathway provides highly qualified students from participating institutions an opportunity to be considered for conditional admission to the Penn State PA Program approximately one year earlier than through the traditional admissions process. This pathway is not an accelerated degree program and does not alter the length or requirements of the PA curriculum.

Current Early Assurance partner institutions include:

• Lebanon Valley College
• Gettysburg College

Eligible students from these institutions may apply directly to the Penn State PA Program through the established Early Assurance process and are not required to apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for consideration through this pathway.

Early Assurance applicants must meet the academic, experiential, and other eligibility requirements established by the Penn State PA Program and the applicable institutional agreement. Students interested in Early Assurance should contact their institution’s pre-med, pre-health, or pre-PA advisor for specific eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

Participation in the Early Assurance pathway does not guarantee admission to the Penn State PA Program. Applicants must successfully complete the Early Assurance application and selection process and satisfy all requirements associated with conditional admission and subsequent matriculation.

Applicants who are not eligible for an Early Assurance pathway must apply through CASPA and follow the Penn State PA Program’s published requirements, procedures, and deadlines for the regular admissions process.

Number of Seats filled by EAP applicants in the 26-27 Admissions Cycle: 0

Prerequisites

Prior Education

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with completion of all academic requirements from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college/university. Health science majors are preferred; however, this is not a mandatory requirement for application or admission.

Candidates should have a CASPA-calculated overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a CASPA-calculated overall science GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicants may apply to the program while prerequisite coursework and degree completion are still in progress. However, all prerequisite courses and degree requirements must be successfully completed and verified prior to matriculation into the program in May.

Pre-Requisite Course Requirements

Applicants must complete the following courses with a C or better:

• General Biology
• Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters or one semester each)
• Microbiology
• General or Principles of Chemistry
• Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry
• General Psychology
• Statistics or Biostatistics
• English Composition (two semesters, or two writing intensive courses)

Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.

Three pre-requisite courses have a seven-year currency:

• Anatomy / A&P I
• Physiology / A&P II
• Microbiology

This currency requirement will be waived for any applicant who has been working full-time and continuously in the healthcare field since completion of coursework.

AP credits accepted by the undergraduate institution can be used to satisfy general biology, general chemistry, psychology, statistics, and English composition courses.

Medical Terminology

Completion of a designated Medical Terminology course is not required as a pre-requisite course. However, all students who matriculate into the program will be required to pass a medical terminology exam during PAS 736 (Introductory Concepts in medicine). A list of terms that may be used as a guide for studying will be provided to accepted students by April 1^st of their matriculating year through the online pre-matriculation forum. Incoming students may self-study or take a formal medical terminology course prior to matriculation.

Course Timeline

Program duration: 24 months; 12 months didactic and 12 months clinical

Program completion: 101 credits; 55 in the didactic year and 46 in clinical year

Didactic Year: Summer

Instructional Delivery Methods (A3.11d): PAS 701 will include both lab and lecture-based instruction. PAS 700 and 783 will be lecture-based courses with small group interdisciplinary learning incorporated. PAS 736, 763, 784 and 723 will include team-based learning, lab and lecture-based instruction, as well as standardized patient experiences. PAS 785 will include team-based learning, lecture-based instruction, and standardized patient experiences.

Didactic Year: Fall

Instructional Delivery Methods (A3.11d): PAS 702 will include both lab and lecture-based instruction. PAS 721 will be a lecture-based course with small group interdisciplinary learning incorporated. PAS 786, 788, 789, 790 and 791 will include team-based learning, lab and lecture-based instruction, as well as standardized patient experiences.

Didactic Year: Spring

Instructional Delivery Methods (A3.11d): PAS 719 will be lecture-based with small group and standardized patient experiences. PAS 725 will be a lecture-based course with small group interdisciplinary learning incorporated. PAS 794 will include both lab and lecture-based instruction as well as team-based learning. PAS 722, 787, 729, 792 and 793 will include team-based learning, lab and lecture-based instruction, as well as standardized patient experiences.

During the clinical year of the program, students will complete a series of 5-week rotations in a variety of clinical settings. These rotations will be supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in which students are paired with clinicians while actively engaging in direct patient care.

Instructional Delivery Methods (A3.11d): PAS 756 will be delivered in a hybrid fashion. All remaining coursework for the clinical year will incorporate direct patient care in a supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE).

Mandatory Clinical Year Courses (1 credit)

Core Clinical Rotations (35 Credits)

Elective and Selective Clinical Rotations (10 Credits)

Students enrolled in the PA program will have the opportunity to complete an elective rotation in either a medical or surgical specialty.

Students in good academic standing may select from a variety of specialties; including but not limited to additional time in a mandatory rotation listed above or experience another specialty such as burn, cardiology, critical care, dermatology, endocrinology, ENT, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, infectious disease, interventional radiology, nephrology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, palliative care, prison medicine, radiation oncology, trauma, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic & reconstructive surgery, physical medicine & rehabilitation, or vascular surgery.

Students with identified deficiencies during clinical year may have their elective rotation assigned to them by the clinical year team to ensure minimum program requirements for graduation have been met.

Student Travel to Required Rotation Sites

Students are expected to have reliable transportation for clinical year, and are responsible for the cost of travel to and from clinical rotation sites.

Students who are required by the program to travel to a clinical rotation site greater than sixty (60) miles from the Hershey Medical Center campus, or the location in which the student resides, will be provided an option for housing. Students are not required to utilize program provided housing, however, students choosing to utilize different accommodations than what is provided by the program will be responsible for all associated costs.

Students are responsible for costs associated with housing and travel to and from clinical rotation sites that are developed at the request of the student, or in a location requested by the student but not required by the program.

Summative Experience

Upon completion of the clinical training, students will participate in a one-credit Summative Experience. In addition to taking the PACKRAT examination (which does not impact student placement in the PA Program), students will be evaluated on their professionalism and participate in assessments for knowledge, technical skills, interpretation, and performance of diagnostic evaluations. The Summative Experience must be successfully completed as one of the final requirements for program completion.

Total credits: 46

Student Work Policy

It is expected that the PA Program is the student’s primary responsibility from matriculation to graduation.

Employment while enrolled in the PA program is not prohibited and students are not required to disclose to the program whether paid employment is taking place. However, students are strongly discouraged from working while enrolled in the PA program.

Concessions for missed classes, late assignments, scheduled assessments, and clinical rotation obligations due to work outside of the program will not be made.

Students are not permitted to work for the PA program in any capacity while enrolled as a student at the Penn State College of Medicine.

Students may not substitute for, or function as, instructional faculty, clinical staff, or administrative staff while enrolled as a student at the Penn State College of Medicine.

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation - Continued status to the Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program sponsored by The Pennsylvania State University.

Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by ARC-PA will be October 2027. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Contact

Physician Assistant Program
Penn State College of Medicine
500 University Drive
Hershey, PA 17033

717-531-0003, ext. 285595

PSUPAProgram@pennstatehealth.psu.edu