Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (24 Month Program), Master's

Admission into our MSPAS program is highly competitive.

We conduct a completely holistic review of all applications on a rolling admissions basis. We strive to select a diverse student body who demonstrates maturity, professionalism, academic potential, knowledge of the healthcare industry and the PA profession, and service, particularly with vulnerable or traditionally underserved populations.

We encourage applicants from all socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, and religious backgrounds to apply.

Admission Requirements:

• Submission of a verified application in CASPA no later than December 1.  We do not require a supplemental application.  
• A minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum science cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale), to be completed prior to matriculation if accepted into the program.  Applicants with a degree or coursework outside of the U.S. should review the CASPA requirements for evaluated transcripts.  
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation, maximum of five. Some examples of appropriate references include instructors/professors; academic advisors; and supervisors, especially those supervising you during your direct patient care experiences. We highly recommend you do not submit a reference from someone you have shadowed for only a brief time, or a family member or friend.
• All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation into the program. You may submit your application while completing prerequisite courses, however only two outstanding courses can be completed after the deadline. There are three courses that must have been taken within five years of applying:  Microbiology and Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Exceptions may be made if you have been active in the medical field since taking the courses or graduating.
• Complete the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores should be reported using the DeSales University Program Code: 0540. We do not require a minimum score, however competitive PA-CAT and GRE scores are generally considered to be in the top 50^th percentile. The MCAT exam will be accepted with an overall score of 500 or higher. Please note that scores must be received by the December 1 deadline.
• A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience (paid, volunteer, or shadowing). The experience must be completed within the United States due to the wide variety of global health care delivery systems. The most useful health care hours relate to direct patient contact, including but not limited to EMT, CNA, MA, surgical technician, patient care technician/associate, dietician, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, campus health center volunteer. We will also accept up to 50 hours of virtual shadowing, provided there is contact information in CASPA.  
• Applicants from a country where English is not the primary language must submit TOEFL scores with a minimum overall score of 90.

Additional information

• Potentially qualified applicants will be granted a personal interview by invitation only, attempting to ascertain your awareness of the physician assistant role, willingness to work under the supervision of a physician, motivation for pursuing a physician assistant career, interpersonal and oral communication skills, compassion, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to serving individuals in vulnerable populations.
• The Physician Assistant Program at DeSales University is a full-time academic program. Advanced placement is not possible. There is no credit awarded for experiential learning. The didactic courses are completed in sequence as listed in the curriculum.
• Applicants who are alumni of DeSales University will be granted interviews for admission if they meet the minimum requirements for admission, as outlined above.
• The Admissions Committee takes into consideration an individual's experience working with and/or serving vulnerable or traditionally under-served populations when evaluating his or her application for admission. This is in keeping with DeSales University's mission of Christian Humanism and service to diverse populations.
• Because DeSales University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Admissions Committee gives special consideration to applicants who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military.
• The Program also reserves two seats for graduates of DeSales University science programs. 

The MSPAS is a 24-month, 99-credit program, with a cohort beginning every August.

Year One:  Didactic (54 credits)

Students are in class full-time for 12 months and begin participating in early clinical experiences shortly after the start of the program:

Fall

• PA501 – Clinical Anatomy and Physiology (2 credits)
• PA501L – Clinical Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
• PA502 – History and Physical Examination (3 credits)
• PA504 – Clinical Medicine I (4 credits)
• PA506 – Clinical Reasoning I (2 credits)
• PA510 – Pharmacology I (2 credits)
• PA 515 – Pathophysiology I (2 credits)
• PA 517 – Research Seminar (1 credit)
• PA 619 – Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (1 credit)

Spring

• PA501L – Clinical Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
• PA503 – History and Physical Examination II (3 credits)
• PA505 – Clinical Medicine II (4 credits)
• PA507 – Clinical Reasoning II (2 credits)
• PA511 – Pharmacology II (2 credits)
• PA 513 – Diagnostic Methods I (1 credit)
• PA516 – Pathophysiology II (2 credits)
• PA575 – Ethics of Healthcare (Values Seminar) (3 credits)

Summer

• PA 508 - Physician Assistant History and Role (1 credit)
• PA 606 - Clinical Medicine III (4 credits)
• PA 607 - Behavioral Aspects of Medicine (3 credits)
• PA 608 - Clinical Reasoning III (2 credits)
• PA 612 - Pharmacology III (2 credits)
• PA 614 - Diagnostic Methods II (1 credit)
• PA 617 - Pathophysiology III (2 credits)
• PA 618 - Clinical Skills Development (2 credits)
• PA 620 - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (1 credit)

Year Two - Clinical Rotations (45 credits)

In the second year, students complete nine 5-week clinical rotations:

• PA 630 - Emergency Medicine (5 credits)
• PA 631 - Family Medicine I (5 credits)
• PA 632 - Family Medicine II (5 credits)
• PA 633 - Internal Medicine (5 credits)
• PA 634 - Women's Health (5 credits)
• PA 635 - Pediatrics (5 credits)
• PA 636 - Psychiatry (5 credits)
• PA 637 - General Surgery (5 credits)
• PA 799 - Elective Rotation (5 credits)

Students must successfully complete a summative evaluation within the last four months of the program.

Director's Message

Welcome to the DeSales University Physician Assistant Program.  We take great pride in the success of our students, graduates, and in the great outcomes of the program.

I am honored to serve as the Program Director of the DeSales Physician Assistant Program. I have had the pleasure of being part of the PA program faculty since 1997. The PA program has grown and evolved since then, and what has continued is the stellar education our PA students receive. Our passionate and highly knowledgeable faculty are dedicated to providing the finest didactic education in the classroom as well as exceptional clinical experiences during the nine 5-week rotations that comprise the clinical year. Our program outcomes include stellar first-time PANCE pass rates since the inception of the program. 

I invite you to explore our program and learn more about the many unique benefits and advantages we offer our students. 

Kathleen Ehrhardt, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA
Program Director

The Area's Only Gross Anatomy Lab

Healthcare Simulation Lab

Standardized Patient Area

Program Costs 2023-2024

• Tuition per semester: $15,150* for a total of six semesters = $90,900
• Professional fee each semester: $750 for a total of six semesters = $4,500
• Applications only accepted through CASPA: $0 for DeSales, CASPA fees as required
• Approximate additional fees for background checks: $500
• Graduation fee: $120
• Total cost of MSPAS program: $96,020

Returned check service: $30

*Tuition rates are subject to change with notice. Final rates for these terms will be approved by Board of Trustees.

View a comprehensive list of important MSPAS Financial Aid/Cost Documents by Class Start