Program Overview

Introduction to the Physician Assistant Studies Program

The Physician Assistant Studies program at the University of Pittsburgh is designed to prepare graduates for a career as physician assistants. The program is committed to a multi-pronged approach to support student success throughout the two-year curriculum.

Program Overview

Format and Degree Type

• The program is offered in an on-campus format.
• The degree type is a Master of Science.

Duration and Commitment

• The program duration is 2 years, consisting of 6 terms, including 2 summer terms.
• The commitment is full-time, with 82 credits required for completion.

Application and Admission

Start Term and Application Period

• The start term for the program is Spring (January).
• The application opens on April 25, 2025, and closes on July 31, 2025.

Program Details

Applied Skills and Clinical Rotations

• Students participate in eight clinical rotations to experience various 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

• Resident and non-resident cost fact sheets are available for review.

Program Outcomes and Accreditation

Certification and Licensure

• Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• To practice, physician assistants must graduate from an accredited educational program and become certified through an examination by the NCCPA.

Accreditation Status

• The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant Studies program.

Student Resources and Support

Student Handbooks

• The 2026 Physician Assistant Studies On-Campus Handbook and the SHRS Graduate Student Handbook are available for viewing and download.

Related Programs

• Physician Assistant Studies, Post-Professional (DMSc)
• Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid (MS)