Penn State University Physician Assistant Program

Penn State University PA Program Mission Statement

The Penn State College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program’s mission is to prepare graduates to be academically, clinically, professionally and culturally competent physician assistants who are devoted to serving patients in their communities through the application of clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice to deliver compassionate and comprehensive care.

PA PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

• Accredited Status:  Continuing Accreditation
• Campus Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
• Degrees Offered: Masters
• Class Start Month:  May
• Class Duration: 24 months
• Class Capacity: 30 (enrolls 30 students each May)
• Seat Deposit: $1,000
• International Students: Not Accepted
• TOEFL: Required

TUITION

• Resident tuition: $90,384
• Nonresident tuition: $93,284

PANCE PASS RATE

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 100%
• Five year first-time PANCE pass rate: 99%

APPLICATION INFORMATION

• Caspa Participant: Yes
• Application Deadline: December
• Supplemental Application: Supplemental Application Required
• CASPA Deadline Type: Verified by deadline
• Fee: None

GPA

• Overall GPA: 3.0
• Science GPA: 3.0
• Prereq GPA: 3.0
• Average Applicant GPA Accepted:
  • Overall: 3.72
  • Science: 3.63
• Prerequisite GPA: See Program Website
• Prerequisite completion: must be completed within 5 year(s)

EXPERIENCE

• Required Experience Hours (PCE/HCE): 500 Hours   

SHADOWING

• PA Shadowing Recommended

EVALUATIONS

• Three recommendation letters required (view program website for evaluator requirements)

GRE

• Required (GRE general exam, no minimum score, school code 0900). MCAT 505/29, PCAT 75th %ile, or DAT 18 accepted in lieu of GRE. PA-CAT NOT accepted as a substitute.

CASPer

• CASPer Not Required
• For more information on CASPer click here

PA-CAT

• Check program website
• For more information on PA-CAT click here

PAEA Program Directory

• PAEA PA Program Directory Link