George Washington University Physician Assistant Program
Washington, District of Columbia · Masters
A closer look
PA program near Congress and the White House that builds strong foundations in primary care and public health.
Mission & approach
The George Washington University Physician Assistant Program's mission is to prepare physician assistants who demonstrate clinical excellence; embrace diversity, equity and inclusion; advocate for their patients; lead and advance the profession; and serve their communities.
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Admissions insights
What this program looks for in applicants
Holistic review (~2,500 apps/yr) assessing: science preparation/academic achievement, direct patient and healthcare experience, community service, leadership, and other unique characteristics (e.g., second-language proficiency). Prioritizes first-generation students, economically/educationally disadvantaged applicants, military veterans, and those from health professions shortage areas.…
Summarized from the program’s admissions information. Confirm current selection criteria with the program.
Program admissions informationAdmissions & prerequisites
Admission requirements
Prerequisite coursework
Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course)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.
- Anatomy and Physiology pathway: Anatomy + Physiology OR Combined Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence
| Course | Credits | Lab | Min grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy1 course(s) 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits; minimum B-. Must be taken within 10 years of application. The alternative is a two-semester combined A&P sequence; whether labs are required is not stated. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
| Physiology1 course(s) 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits; minimum B-. Must be taken within 10 years of application. The alternative is a two-semester combined A&P sequence; whether labs are required is not stated. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
| Combined Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence2 course(s) The alternative route is two semesters of combined Anatomy & Physiology, each worth 3 semester credits (4.5 quarter credits). The program does not state whether labs are required for this route. | 6Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
Organic ChemistryCourse notes & alternativesOne semester, 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits. The program does not state whether a lab is required. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
BiochemistryCourse notes & alternativesOne semester, 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits. The program does not state whether a lab is required. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
PsychologyCourse notes & alternativesOne semester, 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits. Abnormal or Developmental Psychology recommended, not required. AP credit accepted only for Psychology when score is 4 or higher and credit is posted by an accredited institution. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
StatisticsCourse notes & alternativesOne semester, 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits. The program does not state whether a lab is required. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
MicrobiologyCourse notes & alternativesOne semester, 3 semester credits or 4.5 quarter credits. The program does not state whether a lab is required. | 3Semester credits (quarter equivalent 4.5 per course) | Not specified | B- |
Policies that can change your plan
- A&P route
- You may take separate Anatomy and Physiology courses, or a full two-semester combined A&P sequence. Mixing parts of the two options is not accepted.
- Course recency
- Complete within 10 years of your application date.
- Labs
- The program does not specify lab requirements for prerequisites; check with the program.
- International applicants
- International coursework cannot fulfill prerequisites; prerequisites must be completed in U.S. or English-instruction Canadian institution. TOEFL/PTE/IELTS requirements have listed exemptions.
- Course grade
- B- or better is required in each prerequisite. Minimum credits are listed in both semester and quarter hours.
At most two prerequisites may be outstanding when you apply; all must be finished before the program starts. Minimum cumulative and science GPA are both 3.2. At least 1,000 direct patient-care hours must be completed by application. Three CASPA recommendation letters are required. International applicants generally submit TOEFL (100 internet/250 computer), PTE 68, or IELTS 7.0 with each band at least 6.0; specific exemptions apply.
When courses must be complete: No more than two prerequisites may be outstanding at application; all prerequisites must be complete before the program begins.
Dates & application steps
CASPA must verify your application by Oct 1. The supplemental application is due by the end of Oct 2.
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Published cost estimate
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Curriculum & clinical training
Didactic phase
Summer, fall and spring medical coursework includes assessment, clinical medicine, skills, pharmacology and evidence-based practice.
Clinical phase
Seven core specialty practicums and an elective accompany clinical education and professional practice coursework.
The traditional two-year MSHS route is 104 credits, or 102 with advanced placement in evidence-based practice. The program arranges clinical sites; expect at least two away clerkships. The three-year joint PA/MPH route is separate.
The admitted class
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: 98%
Class of 2025: 98% of first-time takers passed (61 takers). Earlier classes: 2024 97% (63), 2023 97% (60), 2022 98% (57), 2021 97% (67). The program reports a five-year first-time average of 97% for 2021-2025.
- Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate: 97%
Accreditation history
Accredited-ContinuedSources you can open
Links to the program’s own pages and the official directories we use.
- George Washington University PA Program Admission Requirements
- PA School Finder deadline record
- George Washington University program page
- George Washington University program page
- George Washington University curriculum and clinical training
- PA School Finder contact record
- ARC-PA currently accredited programs — sponsoring-institution directory
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.”
How competitive are you for this program?
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