Physician Assistant Studies (MS)

Format(s)
On-campus
Degree Type
Master of Science (MS)
Duration

2 years
(6 terms, including 2 summer terms)

Request Info
Format(s)
On-campus
Degree Type
Master of Science (MS)
Duration

2 years
(6 terms, including 2 summer terms)

Request Info

Admissions

Application

Application Opens

April 30, 2026

Application Closes

August 1, 2026

Application System

Apply through the Centralized Application System for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

The application fee is set by CASPA.

Academic Standards and Prerequisites

  • Qualified applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Applicants should have an overall GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0) in all college level coursework and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0) in the prerequisite science courses designated below with an asterisk (*).
    • See the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) site for definitions of these GPAs.
    • Exceptions may be made (but are not guaranteed) for applicants who present compelling evidence of success in graduate coursework. This means that if an applicant has an overall GPA of <3.0, their application may still be reviewed/considered if they have completed an entire master’s or doctorate level program.
    • Completion of graduate level courses without a diploma from said programs will not be considered, nor will graduate-level certificate programs.

All admissions requirements must be completed by the application deadline to start classes in the following spring term (January).

Prerequisite Coursework

A ‘C’ grade or higher in all required prerequisite coursework listed below:

  • Biology with lab designed for science majors, two semesters*
  • Chemistry with lab designed for science majors, two semesters*
  • Microbiology with lab, one semester*
  • Anatomy with lab and Physiology*
    • This requirement may be met by taking either one semester of Anatomy with lab and one semester of Physiology or two semesters of Anatomy with lab and Physiology combined.
  • Statistics, one semester
  • Medical Terminology, one semester for at least 1 college credit
  • English Composition/writing, two semesters
  • Psychology, one semester

There is no expiration date for prerequisite courses. Please review this detailed prerequisite rubric to ensure your courses satisfy our prerequisite requirements. If applicants still have questions after the self-assessment, they may request an unofficial prerequisite evaluation. To request an unofficial evaluation, please complete and email the following items:

  1. Completed PAS Prerequisite Rubric
  2. Refer to page 3 to provide detailed course description for the course in question
  3. Send the completed rubric to: PittPA@shrs.pitt.edu

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended will be required.

NOTE: The GRE General Test is not required for admission to the program.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended are required at the time of application.

Experience

A minimum of 500 hours of direct, hands-on patient care experience is required by the admissions requirement deadline. Direct patient care involves active participation in the care, evaluation or treatment of patients.

Examples of eligible experiences include:

  • registered nurse (RN)
  • licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  • paramedic
  • emergency medical technician (EMT)
  • emergency room technician, military medical roles (e.g., medic or corpsman)
  • athletic trainer
  • dietitian
  • medical assistant
  • nursing assistant
  • patient care technician
  • surgical technician
  • pharmacy technician
  • dental assistant
  • physical or occupational therapy assistant
  • phlebotomist

Contact the PA enrollment specialist if you are unsure if your experience will satisfy this requirement.

Personal Statement

Applicants must provide one (1) personal statement in CASPA focusing on why they want to become a physician assistant/associate (PA).

We encourage applicants to reflect on how their experiences, values and career goals align with the mission and goals of the University of Pittsburgh PAS program.

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required, including:

  • One (1) Patient Care Experience (PCE) Supervisor – A supervisor the applicant has worked with or currently works with in a patient care role.
    • Examples: manager, assistant manager, department director, or military supervisor.
  • One (1) Character Reference – Someone who can speak to the applicant’s personal qualities, reliability, and professionalism.
    • Examples: peer, coworker, mentor, volunteer group leader, or religious and/or spiritual leader.
  • One (1) Prior Instructor – An individual who has taught or formally trained the applicant.
    • Examples: college or university instructor/professor, certification or skills instructor, a supervisor who provided on-the-job skills training, or a military instructor.

Recommendations should not be provided by friends or family members. This information will be collected with the CASPA application.

Technical Standards and Skills

Students admitted to the program must review the Technical Standards for admission and graduation and submit a signed form at the time of matriculation verifying satisfactory performance of the essential skills.

Application Review Process

Application Review

The entire application (including prerequisite courses, letters of recommendations and personal statement) must be received and verified by CASPA no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the deadline. Applications not verified, or any required application materials not submitted by the deadline, will not be considered and will disqualify the application.

The admissions committee will then rate, and review all completed applications. The most qualified applicants will be invited for a virtual interview in September.

Interview Process

Applicants invited for a virtual interview will participate in several individual mini-interviews and one group interview exercise with other applicants. Each interview will be conducted by one faculty or community member and one current Pitt PA student. Following completion of all interviews, a class of up to 67 students will be selected. The number of seats available through the regular admissions cycle may vary based on the number of students accepted through the Guaranteed Admission Program. Applicants will be notified of a decision (offer of admission, waitlist, or denial) in October after all interviews are completed.

How We Evaluate and Select Applicants

The University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant program uses a holistic admissions process. We evaluate academic preparation, clinical experience, service, leadership and the context in which achievements occurred. Our review is applied consistently to all applicants. The most competitive applicants strongly align with our program mission and goals, as well as our core values of reliability, accountability, humility, integrity, curiosity and generosity.

We evaluate the following objective measures:

  • Overall GPA
  • Prerequisite science GPA
  • Completion of prerequisite coursework
  • Duration and level of patient care experience
  • Graduate degree attainment, if applicable

We give preference to those who demonstrate a strong match to our mission, and to applicants with the following non-academic attributes and/or experiences:

  • Significant service in community organizations and/or free medical clinics
  • Experience serving systematically disadvantaged communities or populations
  • Firsthand upbringing in resource-limited environments, including a health professional shortage area or an economically/educationally disadvantaged setting
  • Perseverance through adverse life events
  • Serving a key role in providing care and support to another person, including non-traditional roles (e.g., sibling, parent, or extended family caregiving)
  • First generation college student
  • Active military service or Veteran status
  • Multilingual or English not primary language

Understanding of the health care system and the PA role within it, along with demonstrated leadership, teamwork, ethical reasoning, personal insight and maturity, motivation, conflict resolution and active listening, will also weigh strongly in the admissions decision.

Other Requirements

Admissions Notifications

  • Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply.
  • Advanced placement is not offered in this program. Required PA curriculum courses and components cannot be waived or transferred, and all students must complete the full curriculum at the University of Pittsburgh.
  • Background checks and screening are required for admission and enrollment. This includes a criminal background check, health assessment, and drug screen. Admission and continued enrollment are contingent upon satisfactory results and timely completion of required documentation. Additional screenings may be required for clinical rotation placements.

International Student Information

The following requirements are necessary for applicants from outside of the U.S.

For questions about the international student requirements, please reach out to the SHRS Admissions Office.

Verification of English Language Proficiency

The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency.

Verification is required unless the following apply:

  • The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
  • The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
  • The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.

How to Submit Scores

  • Duolingo English Test: Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code “2927”.

Academic Credential Evaluations

Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application.

  • A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.
  • Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States. If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.
  • Individual SHRS programs may have their own specific Academic Credential Evaluation requirements.