Program Overview

Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Slippery Rock University is a 24-month program that combines rigorous academic training with hands-on clinical experience to prepare compassionate, adaptable healthcare professionals. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, direct patient care, and wellness services across the lifespan, with a unique focus on special populations integrated throughout both academic and clinical phases.

About the Program

The program is delivered through on-campus instruction and collaborative outreach, with students guided by expert faculty and practicing clinicians. Graduates are well-equipped to serve as ethical, competent Advanced Practice Providers ready to meet the evolving healthcare needs of their communities.

Why Get a Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree?

• Graduate with high value and low debt, as SRU's PA program is one of the most affordable in western Pennsylvania, with starting salaries that often exceed the total cost of the degree.
• Step into a growing field, ranked among the top health care careers by U.S. News & World Report, with 31% projected job growth by 2029 (BLS).
• Learn from experienced faculty who bring years of clinical expertise, research, and PA-specific teaching training to every course.
• Gain hands-on skills in real-world settings through simulation labs, cadaver labs, standardized patient exams, and live case-based learning in a facility built for PA education.
• Rotate through diverse clinical settings with ten required clinical rotations, including family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, women's health, and behavioral/mental health.
• Customize your path with elective and special population rotations that let you explore specialized areas of interest in the PA field.

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Slippery Rock University Physician Assistant Program. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Career Outcomes

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 27 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,200 openings for physician assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Admission Requirements

• A minimum of a baccalaureate degree or completion of the first three years of the Pre-Physician Assistant SRU 3+2.
• A minimum CASPA calculated GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application and (if admitted) a final program calculated GPA to matriculate into the program for the following areas:
  • Cumulative GPA - 3.25
  • Prerequisite GPA - 3.25
  • Science GPA - 3.25
• Official transcripts from any college/university where credits have been earned at the time of application and (if admitted) prior to matriculation into the program.
• Successful completion of the following prerequisites (a grade of "C" or better is required for all prerequisite courses):
  • Biology:
    • General Biology with lab (3-4 credits)
    • A&P I with lab (3-4 credits)
    • A&P II with lab (3-4 credits)
    • Medical Microbiology or Microbiology with lab (3 credits)
    • Genetics (3-4 credits, lab recommended, but not required)
  • Chemistry:
    • General Chemistry I with lab (3-4 credits)
    • General Chemistry II with lab (3-4 credits)
    • Organic Chemistry I (3-4 credits, lab recommended but not required)
  • Math:
    • Inferential statistics course (3 credits, any statistics course with inferential statistics embedded)
  • Psychology:
    • Psychology course (3 credits, introductory, developmental, or abnormal psychology)
  • Medical Terminology (at least 1 credit)
• AP/IB courses are not accepted for any of the above requirements.
• All Anatomy and Physiology courses and the Medical Terminology course must be taken within the past 5 years.
• The program does not make exceptions for any prerequisite course or admission requirement based upon experience.
• Case-by-case consideration by the program of a P/F or S grade in a course will be based upon receipt of communication from the course instructor stating the students earned a letter grade of C or above.
• Regardless of citizenship, degree, or experience, if you are a non-native English speaker, you are required to submit scores that show proficiency in the English language.
• Completion of 100 hours or more of community service and/or service learning satisfied through any type of purposeful volunteer activity or event that benefits the community within the last five years.
• Completion of 16 hours or more of clinical shadowing within the last five years with two (2) different PA-Cs in two (2) different areas of medicine.
• Completion of 600 hours or more of health care experience or patient care experience hours within the last five years.
• Letters of Recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation; it is recommended that the letters include: one (1) from a former college/university instructor, one (1) from a supervisor of a required healthcare experience or patient care experience, and one (1) character reference that can directly attest to the applicant's character.
• An essay on why applicant wants to become a Physician Assistant (5000 character limit = approx. 625 words).
• Completion of a successful interview.

Technical Standards

A candidate for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree at SRU must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to complete the core educational requirements, defined in the Slippery Rock University Physician Assistant Program Technical Standards. All students must meet the SRU PA Program Technical Standards with or without accommodation.

Additional Information

• Offers of Admission & Required Deposit: Applicants who are offered and accept a seat in the program will be required to submit a deposit within 2 weeks of acceptance to hold a seat in the upcoming class. The deposit is $500 and will be applied toward tuition.
• Enrolled Students Immunization & Health Insurance: Matriculated students must provide serologic immunity verification (titers) and maintain health insurance throughout the program. Clinical sites may require additional vaccinations.
• Enrolled Students Criminal Background Checks & Screening: Criminal background checks, fingerprinting, child abuse clearance, and drug screening are required to matriculate and participate in clinical sites. Adverse results can prevent a student from progressing through the program.