Penn State University

Penn State University
500 University Drive Mail Code H152
Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033

We rely on the information provided to us by programs. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the program's website.

Program Website

*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 2024

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 Hawaiin 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)

Biochemistry: 3 Credit(s)

Microbiology: 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)