MS Physician Assistant Studies at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The on-campus Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies prepares graduates to practise as physician assistants/associates. It combines a year of didactic instruction with a year of supervised clinical practice and is accredited by ARC-PA. Graduates are eligible to sit the NCCPA national certification exam.

Faculty: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Department: Department of Physician Assistant Studies | Duration: 2 years full-time (6 terms, including 2 summer terms); 82 credits | Intake: Spring term (January) | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

The first three terms (12 months) are didactic, with lectures, case-based activities and hands-on skills labs, including point-of-care ultrasound, telemedicine and anatomy with cadaver lab. The last three terms are supervised clinical practice experiences in internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, behavioral health, obstetrical and gynecological medicine and an elective rotation.

Career pathways

Graduates work as physician assistants/associates in educational, health care, administrative and research settings.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Overall GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) and a 3.0 GPA in the prerequisite science courses; exceptions may be considered for applicants who completed an entire master's or doctoral programme. Prerequisites (grade C or higher): two semesters of biology with lab, two semesters of chemistry with lab, one semester of microbiology with lab, anatomy and physiology, one semester each of statistics, medical terminology and psychology, and two semesters of English composition. At least 500 hours of direct hands-on patient care experience. One personal statement and three professional letters of recommendation (a patient care experience supervisor, a character reference and a prior instructor), submitted through CASPA. GRE not required. Selected applicants are interviewed virtually in September. International applicants need TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.5 or Duolingo 140 unless exempt (citizen of an English-speaking country or degree from a US or English-instructed institution). Spring 2027 cycle application opens Spring 2027; the deadline is to be announced.

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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