Penn State University

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*Last updated February 16th, 2023

General Information

Mission Statement
The Penn State Physician Assistant Program's mission is to prepare graduates to be academically, clinically, professionally and culturally competent in the delivery of health care services. With a primary care focus, graduates promote preventive services and utilize evidence based medicine for comprehensive, cost effective care.
Unique Program Features
The Penn State PA Program offers a small class size for a more personal learning experience and team-based learning coupled with phenomenal student resources and support within the medical school; high student retention rate and exceptional outcomes; state of the art simulation center and cadaver lab.
Curriculum Focus
Case-Based Learning; Collaborative or Team-Based Learning; Organ-Based/Systems-Based Learning
Credentials Offered
Master's degree (not Master's of Public Health)
Doctorate Degree Offered
No information provided
Type of Masters Degree
MPAS: Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Program Length
24 Months
Start Month
May 2025
Estimated Incoming Class Size
30
Part-time Option
No
Distance Learning
No
On-Campus Housing
Yes
Required Onsite Interview
No
Types of Interviews
Traditional Interview
Admission Type
Rolling - Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis

CASPA & Deadlines

CASPA Member
Yes
Upcoming CASPA Cycle
Yes
Application Deadline
01/15/2024
Deadline Requirement
Green-Verified: the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters must be received by CASPA by the posted deadline, and the application has a verified status, meaning all GPAs have been calculated by CASPA.
Supplemental Application
Yes
Supplemental Deadline
01/29/2024
Supplemental Application Fee
No information provided
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver
No

Tuition & Deposits

Separate Tuition Rates
Yes
Tuition
No information provided
Resident Tuition
$87,884
Non-Resident Tuition
$90,784
Seat Deposit
Yes
Seat Deposit Cost
$1,000
Refundable Seat Deposit
No

Matriculants

Out of State Students Accepted
Yes
Transfer Students Accepted
No
DACA Status Applicants Considered
Yes
International Applicants Accepted
Yes, with exceptions. Please visit the program's website.
International Application Link
Support for Veterans
No information provided

Program Matriculants by Gender

Female
19
Male
11
Non-Binary
-
Gender Unknown
-

Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number

American Indian or Alaskan Native
2
Asian
4
Black or African American
2
Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish
1
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0
White
21
Other
-

GRE Average Scores

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Score
158
Average Analytical Writing GRE Score
4.3
Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Score
157

GRE Average Percentiles

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Percentile
77
Average Analytical Writing GRE Percentile
68
Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Percentile
61

Requirements

Minimum Number of Reference Letters Required
3
Types of References Required
No restrictions
Minimum Overall GPA Required
3.00
Minimum Prereq GPA Required
No GPA minimum required
Standardized Test(s) Required
GRE (will accept MCAT); Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for international students
Healthcare Experience
Yes, required
Hours Needed
500
Time Limit in Which To Complete Experience
No Requirement
Paid Health Care
Recommended but not required
Volunteer/Community Service Health Care
Recommended but not required
Paid Direct Patient Care
Recommended but not required
Volunteer Direct Patient Care
Recommended but not required
Direct Patient Care Hours Needed
No information provided
Direct Patient Care Time Limit
No information provided
Other Paid Health Care
Recommended but not required
Other Volunteer Health Care
No information provided
Shadowing a PA
Recommended but not required
Shadowing a Physician
Not Required
Shadowing other health care provider
Not Required
Clinical and/or non-clinical research
Not Required
Virtual Health Care Accepted
Yes
Virtual Shadowing Accepted
Yes

Prerequisites

Prereq time limit
5 Years
Human Anatomy
3 Credit(s)
Biology (general)
3 Credit(s)
Biochemistry
3 Credit(s)
Microbiology
3 Credit(s)
Chemistry (general)
3 Credit(s)
Organic Chemistry
3 Credit(s)
Human Physiology
3 Credit(s)
Statistics
3 Credit(s)
English
6 Credit(s)
Psychology
3 Credit(s)