FAQs

Please visit the DPAS Admissions Page for more information about the application process, important dates and deadlines.

Current admissions criteria can be found on our Admissions Page.

The Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS) program enrolls a new class each spring (January start) and summer (May start). Important dates and deadlines for each cohort are as follows:

• Summer (May) Start:
  • Application Opens: September 14
  • Application Deadline: April 15
• Spring (January) Start:
  • Application Opens: April 17
  • Application Deadline: December 1

Entrance exams, including the GRE General Test, are not required for admission into the DPAS program.

All admission requirements must be completed by April 15 for students starting in May and December 1 for students starting in January.

International applicants follow the same deadlines as domestics applicants, which are April 15 for May (summer term) start and December 1 for January (spring term) start.

Deferral requests will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Yes, we accept degrees completed at online institutions if they are from an accredited institution.

You can contact admissions@shrs.pitt.edu or 412-383-6558 with questions about your application.

Please visit the DPAS Admissions Page for information about tuition costs and financial resources.

There are many choices for higher education, but few offer the range of opportunities available at Pitt for a comparable price point. In fact, the University of Pittsburgh is regularly included in The Princeton Review’s annual “Best Value Colleges” list. Pitt also ranks #1 in value among all public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. In short, the University of Pittsburgh offers exemplary value: Pitt puts so much within reach—and in ways that feel truly individualized (Source: financialaid.pitt.edu/).

University of Pittsburgh Resources

Office of Financial Aid
412-624-7488 (option 2) 

PittFund$Me (personalized scholarship opportunities)
Current students and new students have access to Pitt’s searchable scholarship database, PittFund$Me. Discover what you’re eligible to apply for and unlock your scholarship matches! 

Grad Ready (financial literacy/wellness software)

Financial Wellness Program 

Office of the Provost Awards and Funding

Students transfer credits from their master’s degree, which are applied towards the doctoral program. We do not accept doctoral transfer credits.

Yes, the program is designed so that working PAs can earn their doctoral degree in as little as 12 months.

The DPAS program is designed for students to work full-time while earning their degree. Most students choose to complete the program in one year. Decelerated program options are also offered to fit the financial, personal or professional need of students.  

The module content is self-paced throughout each week with weekly deadlines. Modules are released on a weekly basis to mimic the progression of coursework you would find in any university. 

Students receive a Doctor of PA Studies.

Practicing PAs will benefit from this post-professional program designed for students to remain in the clinic full-time while earning their degree, so that they can apply their classroom learning to their clinical practice in a meaningful and impactful way. Pitt’s DPAS curriculum is designed to help learners be informed by, and to inform, their current practice as they learn. This design allows for a balanced curriculum that helps working professionals stay on track. DPAS coursework can often be applied toward career advancement projects, promotion processes or career ladders in PAs' places of practice. 

The DPAS program provided by the University of Pittsburgh is approved to award 42 AAPA Category 1 CME Credit.

(This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 42 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 5/9/2022 to 8/31/2023. AAPA reference number: CME-206091.)

For detailed information about the DPAS curriculum, please visit our Curriculum page.

Most students choose to take all courses sequentially, as a cohort, through the program. Courses are offered consecutively in the summer, fall and spring terms. We do offer decelerated program options to fit the financial, personal, or professional needs of students. These options can be discussed on an individual basis, after enrollment. 

Internship experiences may be completed in the learner’s current place of practice and may be job-embedded, aspirant or service-oriented in nature.  

The integrated internship opportunity allows you to use what you're learning in the DPAS program to directly impact and align with your current workplace needs and goals. Students will not need to search for an internship opportunity on top of their current workplace, unless desired. 

Although each internship consists of a set of fundamental learning objectives, students will have the opportunity to personalize the objectives of each internship experience to provide the most benefit to their scholarly work and future goals.

Details about the internship requirement can be found on our website.

No, the program is 100% online and there is no on-campus requirement.  

Nearly all textbook and course materials are available online or through the Pitt library system.   

The DPAS program uses Canvas for course delivery.  

As a DPAS student you will need the following technology resources:

1. A computer equipped with a functional webcam and microphone
2. A high-speed internet connection for accessing instructional materials
3. Access to the Pitt software download service and many other resources which are available through the University of Pittsburgh.

Once students are registered for classes, they will receive their first tuition bill. Payment plans are available through the student payment center.

Students are assigned an academic advisor in their first term. Academic advisors provide guidance to students related to their capstone project and other academic matters.  

Yes, DPAS program orientation sessions are hosted over Zoom prior to the start of the program. In addition to the program orientation, students are also required to complete Pitt’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences online orientation. We also host an admitted student meeting during which, students will have the opportunity to network with their cohort and start discussing the general concept of their potential quality improvement project. 

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267-284-5000.

Please contact pittDPAS@shrs.pitt.edu with any questions.  

“Dedicate time each week to school - (depends on your personal work schedule) and try to separate your home life from school and maybe go to a library.”

“Collaborate with colleague(s) on a project - You will have a big advantage sharing the workload.”

“Try to advance in the program modules if you have a lighter week.”

“Talk to your peers about their paper and timeline, you may learn something.”

“My office closes at noon on Fridays so that helps me to complete assignments.”

“So far this semester I have not done any work on a weekend. I have two little ones at home and made a promise to myself to dedicate my weekends to them.”

More insights from DPAS students and faculty can be found on the SHRS blog: https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/blog.