Program Menu
At a Glance
The Pitt PA Studies difference is our commitment to a multi-pronged approach to support student success throughout the program’s two-year curriculum—in both the didactic and clinical years—with resources to support all learner styles. Our program meshes traditional didactic lectures with out-of-the-classroom learning opportunities, case-based individual and group activities and hands-on skills labs.
Application
Start Term
Spring term (January)
Application Opens
April 25, 2025
Application Closes
July 31, 2025
Commitment
and Credits
Duration
2 years
(6 terms, including 2 summer terms)
Commitment
Credits
82
Degree
Type of Degree
This program prepares graduates to become physician assistants/associates.
Format(s)
Applied Skills
Students will participate in eight (8) clinical rotations during their time in the program to experience a variety of settings including internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, behavioral health, obstetrical and gynecological medicine and an elective rotation in a preferred discipline.
Estimated
Program
Costs
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Average Class Size
Max of 60
Certification
and Licensure
In order to practice, physician assistants/associates must graduate from an accredited educational program and become certified through an examination by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PAs are employed in educational, health care, administrative and research settings.
Acceptance into and successful completion of the University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies program does not imply or guarantee National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Certification or that the student will be able to obtain state licensure upon graduation.
Students should review all requirements for licensure specific to the state where they will practice. Non-curricular licensure requirements vary by state and are updated by each state’s licensing board.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant Studies program sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be in 2028. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/entry-level-program/currently-accredited-programs/ and by searching for “University of Pittsburgh”.
