Combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Freshman Admission Option

This option is designed for students who have no, or few college credits (less than 16 credit hours). It is designed as a five-year course of study and includes complete undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The first six semesters (three years) make up the Pre-Professional Phase and are designed to academically prepare students for PA training, and provide a comprehensive general education. The Pre-Professional Phase consists of medically related science and psychology prerequisite courses, along with all of the components of the College Studies Program (General Education courses).

After successful completion of the Pre-Professional Phase (which includes: maintaining the required grade point averages of 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 science, acquiring the required letters of reference, completing a personal essay, and obtaining approval of the PA Program Admissions Committee) students are automatically admitted to the Professional Phase. Students must complete all required courses in the Pre-Professional Phase to enter the Professional Phase.

The Professional Phase is 25 months of continuous study and includes: the Didactic Level that consists of three semesters of classroom and laboratory work in basic and applied medical science, and limited clinical experiences; and the Clinical Level which consists of six rotations and three preceptorships at a variety of clinical sites such as hospitals and medical offices. Students must complete all Didactic Level courses before they can enter the Clinical Level. The first semester of the Professional Phase is comprised of mandatory undergraduate foundation courses. The remainder of the courses in the Professional Phase are graduate courses.

After successful completion of the Fall semester of Year-4 (the first Professional Phase semester) students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and be eligible to participate in the May graduation commencement ceremony. Upon completion of the full five-year program, graduates will receive a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, be eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination and be able to participate in the Physician Assistant Program Completion Ceremony in August/September and the graduation commencement ceremony in May.

Do you offer an option for transfer students?

No. Students who have completed college credits but do not have a Bachelor's degree must complete an undergraduate program at Philadelphia University or another regionally accredited institution prior to applying to the M.S. Program. Philadelphia University has two programs, BS in Health Sciences & BS in Public Health that contain all the needed prerequisite courses.