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School of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences

Physician Assistant Studies (MS)

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

2 years
(6 terms, including 2 summer terms)

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

2 years
(6 terms, including 2 summer terms)

Request Info

Have Questions?

Contact this program's enrollment specialist(s):

Haley Geisler
Haley Geisler
hne3@pitt.edu

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

Full-time

Credits

82

Degree

Type of Degree

Master of Science

This program prepares graduates to become physician assistants/associates.

Format(s)

On-campus

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 http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-pittsburgh/.

Student
Handbooks

2026 Physician Assistant Studies – On-Campus Handbook
View/Download
2024-2025 Graduate Student Handbook
View/Download
Learn more about the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Related Programs:

Physician Assistant Studies, Post-Professional (DMSc)
Three students working around a skeletal torso model.

Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid (MS)

Have Questions?

Contact this program's enrollment specialist(s):

Haley Geisler
Haley Geisler
hne3@pitt.edu
Learn more about the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Related Programs:

Physician Assistant Studies, Post-Professional (DMSc)
Three students working around a skeletal torso model.

Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid (MS)

Get More Information

Get More Information









































































Field Descriptions
Field of Study (Intended Major)

  1. Certificate
  2. Certificate - Hybrid/Online

Concentration
  1. Doctorate - Rehabilitation Science
  2. Doctorate - Physical Therapy - Entry-level DPT
  3. Master's Degree - Physical Therapy - Post-professional Master of Science
  4. Master's Degree - Health Informatics
  5. Master - Hybrid/Online - Health Informatics - Online
  6. Master's Degree - Dietitian Nutritionist Program
Term
  1. Fall - Spring - Summer
  2. Fall - Spring
  3. Fall
  4. Spring
  5. Summer
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