Physician Assistant Studies Residential Program, MS

Program Requirements

Application

Application Opens

April 25, 2025

Application Closes

July 31, 2025

Application System

Apply through the Centralized Application System for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

The application fee is set by CASPA.

Academic Standards and Prerequisites

• Qualified applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Applicants should have an overall GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0) in all college level coursework and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0) in the prerequisite science courses designated below with an asterisk (*).
  • See the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) site for definitions of these GPAs.
  • Exceptions may be made (but are not guaranteed) for applicants who present compelling evidence of success in graduate coursework. This means that if an applicant has an overall GPA of <3.0, their application may still be reviewed/considered if they have completed an entire master’s or doctorate level program.
  • Completion of graduate level courses without a diploma from said programs will not be considered, nor will graduate-level certificate programs.

All admissions requirements must be completed by the application deadline to start classes in the following spring term (January).

Prerequisite Coursework

• Biology with lab designed for science majors, two semesters*
• Chemistry with lab designed for science majors, two semesters*
• Microbiology with lab, one semester*
• Anatomy with lab and Physiology*
  • This requirement may be met by taking either one semester of Anatomy with lab and one semester of Physiology or two semesters of Anatomy with lab and Physiology combined.
• Statistics, one semester
• Medical Terminology, one semester for at least 1 college credit
• English Composition/writing, two semesters
• Psychology, one semester

There is no expiration date for prerequisite courses. Please review this detailed prerequisite rubric to ensure your courses satisfy our prerequisite requirements. If applicants still have questions after the self-assessment, they may request an unofficial prerequisite evaluation. To request an unofficial evaluation, please complete and email the following items:

1. Completed PAS Prerequisite Rubric
2. Refer to page 3 to provide detailed course description for the course in question
3. Send the completed rubric to: PittPA@shrs.pitt.edu

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended will be required.

NOTE: The GRE General Test is not required for admission to the program.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to provide transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended.

Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.

Experience

A minimum of 500 hours of direct, hands-on, patient care experience is required by the admissions requirement deadline. Eligible experiences include work as registered nurse (RN), emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, medical assistant and physical or occupational therapy assistant.

Contact the PA enrollment specialist if you are unsure if your experience will satisfy this requirement.

Current Pitt Students: View this SharePoint Site for more information about local Pittsburgh shadowing, volunteering and other hands-on opportunities. Pitt Passport required.

Personal Statement

Applicants must provide two (2) personal statements in CASPA.

1. The first essay should be a personal statement focusing on why the applicant wants to become a physician assistant/associate.
2. The second essay should reflect the mission of the Pitt PA Studies program and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required for the application.

Please see examples of who can and should write these letters and content below:

1. One (1) to Character Reference
   1. Evidence of leadership, integrity and humility, values honesty and equity among all person. Examples could be but are not limited to:
      1. peer
      2. coworker
      3. mentor
      4. volunteer group
      5. and/or religious/spiritual leader
2. One (1) from a PCE Supervisor
   1. Evidence of positive interactions of applicant within with in patient care setting, respectful of best practices/protocols, takes ownership of actions, has strong work ethic, and values wellness of patient and teamwork
   2. Superior who directly oversees your patient care hours who can specifically speak to your skills and patient interactions. Examples could be but are not limited to:
      1. current/past manager or assistant manager
      2. department director
      3. mentor
      4. and/or military superior
3. One (1) from a prior instructor
   1. Evidence of a dedication to learning, is driven and disciplined to achieve good outcomes, sets high standards and willing to ask questions when unsure of materials
   2. A person who has been directly involved in teaching the applicant in some capacity and can specifically speak to the applicant’s ability to learn/be taught. Examples include but are not limited to:
      1. College of university instructor/professor
      2. a certification or skills teacher
      3. a superior who provided the applicant on the job skills training
      4. and/or a military instructor.

Technical Standards and Skills

Students admitted to the program must review the Technical Standards for admission and graduation and submit a signed form at the time of matriculation verifying satisfactory performance of the essential skills.

Application Review Process

Application Review

The entire application (including prerequisites courses, letters of recommendations and statements) must be received and verified by CASPA no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the deadline. Applications not verified or any required application materials not submitted by the deadline will not be considered and will disqualify the application.

The admissions committee will then rate and review all completed applications. The highest-rated applicants will receive invitations to online interviews in September. Applicants will be notified of a decision (offer of admission, waitlist, or denial) in October after all applicants have completed their interviews.

The application and admissions processes for the program does not favor specific groups or individuals based on their personal or social identities.

Admissions Decisions

Admissions decisions are made in accordance with these practices:

1. Screening of Applications: Upon receipt of a verified application from the CASPA service, the Director of Admissions and the rest of the Admissions Committee (which includes the Program Director, all full-time faculty, select current students and program staff), along with program staff, award points for certain applicant criteria and characteristics and the total points are used to decide who is invited to interview for a seat in the program. These criteria and characteristics include:
   1. Health care experience and level of experience - Higher scores are awarded for longer service and at higher levels of patient care
   2. Diploma and degree - While a bachelor’s degree is required, a graduate degree is scored higher
   3. Grade Point Averages (GPAs) - Higher undergraduate and specific prerequisite science GPAs receive higher scores
   4. Scoring of personal statements - Higher scores are awarded based on the strength of evidence of desire to be a PA, understanding of the role of a PA, demonstration of understanding of the program mission, evidence of how one’s background, qualifications, and/or identities match and/or support the mission, language and writing skills, and editorial care
   5. Letters of Recommendation: Scores are compiled from the quality of the letter and score provided by the recommender in CASPA
2. Interview: Interviews for seats are performed and scored by the Program Director, faculty and practicing PAs. They include the following parts and scoring:
   1. Essay - Higher scores are awarded based on apparent appreciation for the state of the PA profession, passion for pursuing PA school to positively impact the profession, language and writing skills and editorial care.
   2. Individual interview - Higher scores are awarded based on the strength of demonstration of the following qualities:
      1. adaptability/stress management
      2. conflict resolution
      3. technical and professional knowledge
      4. ability to learn
   3. Group interview - Higher scores are awarded based on the strength of demonstration of the following qualities:
      1. active listening
      2. conflict management
      3. probing the group to maximize performance
      4. leadership skills
      5. clarification of group responses
      6. encouraging and harmonizing with fellow group members
      7. articulation
      8. drawing others into the conversation
      9. offering ideas
      10. summarizing
3. Total Scoring and Final Review by Admissions Committee: After completion of the above, the committee reviews candidate scores, reviewer comments and application information to decide who is accepted, waitlisted and denied admission.

Other Requirements

• Individuals from Health Professions Shortage areas, underrepresented minorities in medicine and other minoritized communities are encouraged to apply. Applicants of all abilities/disabilities, religions, marital statuses, familial statuses, sexes, ages, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, national origins, all ethnic and racial backgrounds, genetic information, and gender identities and expressions are welcome to apply.
• Advanced placement, defined as a waiver of required coursework included in the PA curriculum for applicants to the program and/or a waiver of required coursework included in the PA curriculum for currently enrolled students in the program which results in the student advancing in the curriculum without completing required curricular components at the University of Pittsburgh, is not an option in this program.
• Admitted students will need to complete a background check.
  • This includes a criminal background check, health assessment and drug screen.
  • Matriculation as a student in the program is conditional upon these results.
  • Failure to complete this process and submission of documents on or before the deadline given will result in forfeiture the admitted student’s seat.
  • If a student declines to undergo this process, or if findings of a grievous nature are revealed, the offer of admission will be revoked. During enrollment, repeat background checks, health and drug screens will be required. If a student declines to undergo a background check, health assessment or drug screen while enrolled in the program or if findings of a grievous nature are revealed, this will be grounds for dismissal from the program.
  • This program requires the student to complete portions of their education (e.g. clinical preceptorship, practicum) at facilities external to the University to meet requirements for graduation. Many of these external facilities require screening measures such as, but not limited to, background check, child abuse clearance, health appraisal, fingerprint-based background check and/or drug test prior to placement at the facility. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student which can, in turn, result in an inability to meet graduation requirements.
  • Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony or felonious or illegal act may prevent the student from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice in the field.Q

Questions? 

If you have questions, reach out to pittpa@shrs.pitt.edu at any time. 

Plan of Study

The Physician Assistant curriculum is comprised of a rigorous 24 month Master of Science Program. The goals and objectives of our program are guided by the criteria set forth in the Standards and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Physician Assistant as established by ARC-PA. The first three semesters (12 months) are made up of primarily classroom instruction. Course content is presented through traditional lecture, integrated instruction, case based and hands on skills labs. The clinical year is comprised of rotations in inpatient medicine, primary care, emergency medicine, general surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and behavioral health. The curriculum is presented by practicing physician assistants, medical and surgical physicians, and other health care providers who have expertise in their respective specialties.

Each course in the program is offered only once during the academic year, therefore, any departure from completing a course in its planned sequence (e.g. failure to receive a passing grade of ‘C’ or better; leave of absence from program) will result in the delay of completion of program requirements and graduation from the program.

Program Credits Total: 82

Certification

Graduates of the professional program are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of the Physician Assistant (NCCPA). All States and the District of Columbia have legislation governing the qualifications or practice of physician assistants. All jurisdictions require physician assistants to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. Only those successfully completing the examination may use the credential “Physician Assistant-Certified.” To remain certified, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every 2 years. Every 10 years, they must pass a recertification examination.