Loading…

Address & Contact

Our Address

Charles R. Drew University 1731 E. 120th Street Los Angeles, CA 90059

GPS

33.925932399807124, -118.24273668551525

Telephone

(323) 563-5882

Email

[email protected]

Web

Email PA Program
← Find PA SchoolsProgram profile
PROGRAM PROFILE

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Physician Assistant Program

Los Angeles, California · Master of Health Science

Continued accreditation ↗On Campus ↗27 months ↗
Save schoolCheck my fitSee where you're competitive — Match AIProgram website
Application deadline Sep 1, 2026Passed · Must be CASPA-verified by this date — submit weeks earlier
Tuition Resident $133,000Nonresident Not published
Fees not published
CDU's 2026–27 budgets for two 12-month periods; the national PAEA directory reports a total separately
Class size 26 studentsBoth ARC-PA's maximum class size and the program's estimated incoming class size are 26. The Class of 2025 entered with 28 students; ARC-PA accepted the program's January 2026 report on exceeding class size and requested no further information.
Program length 27 monthsFull program
GRE requirement Not required
Patient-care minimum No required minimumNo minimum; over 2,000 hours preferred. No required direct-patient-care-hour minimum; more than 2,000 direct patient care hours is preferred. Paid or volunteer experience may count if it is hands-on and exposes you to patients, the healthcare team and clinical environments. Shadowing is not required but is recommended.
Overall GPA minimum 3.00Published minimum.
Science GPA minimum 3.00Published minimum.
PANCE pass rate 100%First-time pass rateFive-year first-time: 89%
U.S. News PA rank #75 (tie)2025 PA edition · Peer-assessed reputation
YOUR PROFILE & THIS PROGRAM

Check my fit with this school

START HERE · FREE CHECK

Check three basics

Enter any GPA or patient care hours you know. We’ll compare them with this school’s published numbers. This is a starting point, not an eligibility decision.

The quick check needs JavaScript.

THE PROGRAM

A closer look

A 27-month, 110-credit Master of Health Science PA program centered on compassionate care, social medicine, health disparities and clinical service in medically underserved communities. The program's FAQ describes it as primarily in person.

110 credits over 27 monthsSocial medicine throughout the curriculumAt least one rotation in a medically underserved or shortage areaStudents do not solicit their own clinical sites

Mission & approach

Prepare a diverse group of uniquely qualified physician assistants who provide excellent medical care with compassion while addressing health disparities, seeking social justice and improving the health of medically underserved communities.

W. M. Keck Foundation Allied Health Building at Charles R. Drew University, home of Physician Assistant classrooms and labs
Aerial view of Charles R. Drew University’s W. M. Keck Foundation Allied Health Building, home of PA classrooms, laboratories and simulation training.
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Admissions insights

What this program looks for in applicants

Review is mission-focused and values social justice, community wellness, underserved populations, first-generation applicants, reapplicants and CDU students and alumni. More than 2,000 hours of direct patient care, organic chemistry or biochemistry with lab, and Spanish are preferred, not required. Three distinct recommendation roles are mandatory. Interviews are required and held August–December, and the format is an MMI (multiple mini interview).

Summarized from the program’s admissions information. Confirm current selection criteria with the program.

Program admissions information

How this program interviews

On-campusMMI

Personal interviews are required and held August–December. The format is an on-site multiple mini interview (MMI).

Interview formats and dates can change between cycles.

YOUR STARTING POINT

Admissions & prerequisites

Admission requirements

GRE requirementGRE and MCAT are not required; no other admissions tests are published.Confirmed in the program's current published materials.
Patient careNo minimum; over 2,000 hours preferredNo required direct-patient-care-hour minimum; more than 2,000 direct patient care hours is preferred. Paid or volunteer experience may count if it is hands-on and exposes you to patients, the healthcare team and clinical environments. Shadowing is not required but is recommended.
Overall GPA (preferred)A 3.0 overall GPA is the published preferred minimum for consideration.The admissions page lists 3.0 under "Preferred Prerequisites," and the FAQ calls it a "preferred minimum." Treat it as a preference, not a firm cutoff.
Science GPA (preferred)A 3.0 science GPA is the published preferred minimum for consideration.This is a science GPA, not a BCP (biology, chemistry, physics) or prerequisite GPA, and the program describes it as preferred rather than a firm minimum.
RecommendationsThree to five references: one MD, DO, PA or NP who observed you; one professor or academic advisor; and one supervisor who observed you in volunteer or employment work.Your application is incomplete if you have fewer than three references by the September 1 verified-CASPA deadline.
International eligibilityYes. The PA program accepts international applicants and directs those who need I-20 (student visa document), F-1 or SEVIS (student visa tracking) support to the Office of International Affairs.Foreign coursework requires an approved course-by-course U.S.-equivalency evaluation. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, valid-visa holders, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients and undocumented applicants are named as eligible. The program offers no advanced standing for foreign-trained physicians, but that does not mean international students are not accepted.
English proficiencyIf your first language is not English, you need the TOEFL iBT with at least 100 total and 26 speaking. The test may be waived if you have a post-secondary degree from an accredited U.S. institution.Official scores must be sent directly from ETS (the TOEFL testing organization) to the Office of Admissions. Only the iBT is accepted. No alternative exam or score-age limit is published.
CycleAugust 2027 entryFor August 2027 entry, the application deadline is September 1, 2026, with Green/Verified status. CDU says all materials must be received and verified by CASPA by September 1, and that verification may take six weeks.
TestingGRE and MCAT not requiredThe TOEFL is required only if English is not your first language: iBT 100 total and 26 speaking. A U.S. post-secondary degree may waive it.
ShadowingRecommended; no hours published.Not required; the program recommends exposure to confirm you are ready for the career.
InterviewOn-site MMI (multiple mini interview) required.An on-site MMI (multiple mini interview) is listed. The program says interviews run August–December.
InternationalAccepted with exceptionsForeign coursework needs an approved course-by-course evaluation. A contact for visa support is published.

Prerequisite coursework

Semester credits

Review each course, its lab, and the program’s policies. Your links are planning records; the program decides equivalency.

CourseCreditsLabMin grade
General Biology
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

8Semester creditsRequiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
Microbiology
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

4Semester creditsRequiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
Human Anatomy
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

4Semester creditsRequiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
Human Physiology
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

4Semester creditsRequiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
General Chemistry
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

8Semester creditsRequiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
Statistics or Biostatistics
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

3Semester creditsNot requiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
College Algebra or higher
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

3Semester creditsNot requiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
English Composition
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

6Semester creditsNot requiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
Behavioral Sciences
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

6Semester creditsNot requiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.
Medical Terminology
Course notes & alternatives

Semester units. Prerequisites still in progress must earn a B or higher. The program does not say whether B is the minimum for completed courses.

2Semester creditsNot requiredThe program does not publish an English-proficiency rule. Check with the program.

Policies that can change your plan

Transfer and advanced placement
Prior experience or medical training does not grant advanced placement. Limited transfer from a U.S. PA program may be considered after completing its full preclinical phase. Supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) from other programs does not transfer.
Course delivery
Equivalent online courses and online labs from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.
Outside work
The program is full-time and rigorous, and outside employment is strongly discouraged.

Prerequisites do not strictly expire, but science courses within seven years are strongly preferred. No more than two may be in progress, all are due May 30 of the year you start, and in-progress courses must earn a B or higher. Online or remote courses and labs are accepted when equivalent and from a regionally accredited institution. Combined A&P with labs must total eight semester units. Organic chemistry or biochemistry with lab, and Spanish, are preferred but not required. AP/CLEP treatment is not published.

When courses must be complete: A bachelor's degree is required before you start. At most two prerequisites may be in progress when you apply, and all must be complete by May 30, 2027 for August 2027 entry.

CDU PA admission requirements Checked 2026-09-13
BUILD YOUR TIMELINE

Dates & application steps

CASPA verification deadlineSep 1, 2026 · Passed

For August 2027 entry, the application deadline is September 1, 2026, with Green/Verified status. CDU says all materials must be received and verified by CASPA by September 1, and that verification may take six weeks.

Published date
Outstanding prerequisites dueMay 30, 2027

No more than two may be in progress at application, and in-progress courses must earn a B or higher.

Published date
Next entering classAugust 2027

The exact start day is not published.

Interview seasonAugust–December

Interviews are rolling and by invitation only.

Month-only dates stay month-only.
THE FINANCIAL PICTURE

Know what the total includes

Published cost estimate

CDU's 2026–27 budgets for two 12-month periods; the national PAEA directory reports a total separately
Resident tuition$133,000 published full-program tuition
Nonresident tuitionConfirm with program
Required program feesConfirm with program
Tuition + required feesFull attendance estimate not recorded
Confirm with program

For 2026–2027, CDU lists $57,000 for the first 12 months and $52,800 for a continuing 12-month period, $109,800 for 24 months. The program lasts 27 months and tuition changes each year, so this is not the full-program tuition. The PAEA directory separately reports $133,000 without a breakdown. Complete resident and nonresident tuition totals are unconfirmed.

See additional expenses & assumptions
Tuition for new students, first 12 months$57,000
Tuition for continuing students, 12 months$52,800
Tuition subtotal for 24 months$109,800
Total tuition reported by the PAEA directory (not matched to the program's own figures)$133,000
Total budget, first year, living with parents or relatives$102,224
Total budget, first year, living off campus$122,324
Total budget, continuing year, living with parents or relatives$98,024
Total budget, continuing year, living off campus$118,124

Do not extend either annual figure to cover the final three months of the program. Budget totals include living and other allowances; loan fees apply only if you accept a loan.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN

Curriculum & clinical training

0127 months

MHS curriculum

110 credits, with social medicine woven through classroom and clinical education.

02Clinical education

Rotations are assigned by the program

At least one rotation is in a medically underserved or health-profession-shortage area. Students do not find their own preceptors.

The program overview says hybrid, while the FAQ says the program is primarily in person and not structured as hybrid. The catalog and national directory also describe on-campus delivery.

CDU MHS PA overview Checked 2026-09-13
WHO STUDIES HERE

The admitted class

Admitted Class of 2025

Published class statistics
Overall GPA3.40
Science GPANot recorded
Patient-care hoursNot recorded
Compare published cohorts
ClassPublished GPAPublished science-related GPAPublished experience hours
Admitted Class of 20253.40Not recordedNot recorded

The admitted Class of 2025 had an approximate cumulative GPA of 3.40. No science GPA or patient-care average is published.

Published class statistics describe the named cohort or population. They are not admission minimums or acceptance probabilities.

OUTCOMES & OVERSIGHT

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: 100%

Current program table: 2025 25/25=100%; 2024 22/24=92%; 2023 22/24=92%; 2022 18/25=72%; 2021 23/25=92%. The five cohorts total 110/123=89.43%, shown as 89.4% derived weighted performance, not a separately published five-year average.

  • Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate: 89%

Graduation & attrition

2025 graduating cohort

Published attrition7.1%
Entering students28
Graduates26

Class of 2025: 28 entered and 26 graduated (7.1% attrition, 92.9% graduation). Class of 2024: 26 entered and 24 graduated (7.7% attrition, 92.3% graduation). Class of 2023: 26 entered and 24 graduated (7.4% attrition, 92.6% graduation). The program counts attrition against the entering class plus any students who joined the cohort, so its rates can differ slightly from entered-versus-graduated math.

CDU cohort attrition table Checked 2026-09-13

Accreditation history

Continued
First accreditedMarch 12, 2016
Next reviewJanuary 2031
  1. March 2016Accreditation-Provisional

    The master's program received provisional accreditation with a maximum class size of 26.

  2. March 2021Accreditation-Continued

    In 2021 the next review was first set for March 2031. ARC-PA now lists the next review as January 2031.

  3. January 2026Report on exceeding approved class size accepted

    ARC-PA accepted the required report and requested no further information.

ARC-PA status: Accreditation-Continued. First accredited March 2016; next review January 2031; maximum class size 26. ARC-PA accepted the January 2026 report on exceeding class size and requested no further information.

ARC-PA currently accredited programs — sponsoring-institution directory Checked 2026-09-26
CDU current NCCPA outcome table Checked 2026-09-13
CHECK THE EVIDENCE

Sources you can open

Links to the program’s own pages and the official directories we use.

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.”

YOUR NEXT STEP

How competitive are you for this program?

Match AI compares your full profile with this program and every other one, then sorts your list into Reach, Target and Safety.

See where I’m competitive →Plan deadlines, budget and essays in your free planner →
PA School Finder × My PA School PlannerOne program record. One application plan.