Direct Entry Physician Assistant (PA) Programs
There are 43 direct entry, dual-degree BS/MS Physician Assistant (PA) programs in the United States.
These programs offer the opportunity for early provisional acceptance to exceptional high school students wishing to accelerate their academic and career paths to become physician assistants.
Application for the program is usually made during the senior year of high school.
Most often accepted applicants go on to complete a five-year (3+2) Bachelor of Science program in biological sciences/Master of Science program in physician assistant studies.
There are multiple variations on this theme which are reflected on the pre-physician assistant program websites which I have linked to below.
The BSHS/MSPA Programs are rigorous, and admission is highly competitive. Successful applicants are typically strong students academically, especially in the sciences. Often, to be considered for admission, the applicant should be a high school senior in the top 10% of their class with an SAT score (Critical Reading and Math) of 1220 or higher with a math score of 570, or a Combined ACT score of 24 or higher.
Healthcare experience is not required but is of benefit. An understanding of the role of the physician assistant is expected.
This direct entry admission option to most PA programs is often (although not always) available only to first-year students.
42 (and growing) Direct Entry and Dual Degree BS/MS Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Programs
The following table and legend were last updated on 08/2020. If you are aware of additional programs offering pre-professional, dual degree, or direct entry BS/MS programs please let me know in the comments section below.
Programs labeled “competitive” may require that the student reapplies for entry into the professional or graduate phase of the PA program or interview or obtain the recommendation of their program. Generally, it means that acceptance into the professional phase is not guaranteed upon successful completion of the pre-professional phase.
Name of Program and MS/BS Weblink | State | Pre-Professional Phase (years/degree) | Competitive Process for Advancement (yes/no) | Professional Phase (years/degree) |
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | NY | Three years | No | Offering a 28-month Physician Assistant program leading to a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. |
Arcadia University | PA | Four years/ bachelor’s degree in majors such as biology, chemistry, or psychology | No | Two years/ Master of Medical Science |
Butler University | Closed to new applicants | |||
Chatham University | PA | Highly qualified first-year applicants to Chatham University are eligible for guaranteed or preferred admission to Chatham's integrated undergraduate and graduate degree programs | Yes | 24 months / Masters of Physician Assistant Studies |
College of Saint Mary | NE | 3 + 2 program
Three years/ Bachelor of Science in human biology |
Yes | Two years/ Master of Medical Science |
D’Youville College | NY | 4.5 years, combined pre-professional and professional phase/Bachelor of Science | No | Master of Science |
Daemen College | NY | Four to five years, combined pre-professional and professional phase/ no single degree conferred | No | 33 months/ Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Science in PA Studies upon completion of all requirements |
DeSales University | PA | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Medical Studies | No | Two years/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Drexel University | PA | Three years/ bachelor’s degree | Yes | 27 months/ Master of Health Science |
Duquesne University | PA |
Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (5-year complete program) |
No | 27 months/ Master of PA Studies |
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | LA |
Early admission will be considered after completion of 3.5 years of biology-human medicine curriculum / Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology-Human Medicine Track |
Yes | 26 months /Master of Medical Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies |
Gannon University | PA | 3 + 2 combined pre-professional and professional phase
(5-year complete program) |
No | Master of PA Science |
Jefferson University | PA | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Health Science | No | 25 months/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Hofstra University | NY | Three years | No | 28 months/dual degree: Bachelor of Science in PA Studies/Master of Science in PA Studies |
Kettering College | OH | 3 + 2 program
Three years/ Bachelor of Science in human biology |
Yes | Two years/ Master of PA Studies |
King’s College | PA | 3 + 2 program
Three years/Bachelor of Science in Medical Studies |
No | Two years/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Le Moyne College | NY | Three years/ Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts | Yes | Two years/ Master of Science |
Lock Haven University | PA | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Health Science; prepares students for application to a number of PA programs across the country and to the LHU PA program | Yes | Two years/ Master of Health Science |
Marquette University | WI | Two years/ Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences | Yes | Three years/ Master of PA Studies |
Marywood University | PA | Three years (sometimes two)/bachelor's degree | Yes | 27 months/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston | MA | 30 months/ Bachelor of Science in Premedical and Health Studies | Yes | Two years/ Master of PA Studies |
Mercy College of Ohio | OH | Four-year Pre-PA Biology major | Yes | 28-month Master of PA Studies |
New York Institute of Technology | NY | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences | Yes | Three years/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Nova Southeastern University | FL | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences | Yes | 27 months/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT) | PA | One year of pre-professional preparation recommended at Penn College (one of PCT’s academic schools)/Bachelor of Science | Yes | 27 months at PCT/Option for a Master’s in Health Science available through Nova Southeastern University in Florida |
Quinnipiac University | CT | Four years/ Bachelor of Science in Health and Science Studies | No | 27 months/ Master of Health Science |
Rochester Institute of Technology | NY | Two years | Yes | Three years/ Combined Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Rutgers | NJ | 3 + 3 program
Three years/ Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts |
Yes | Three Years Master of Science |
Salus University (pre-professional phase completed at Brigham Young University in Idaho and Western New England University) | PA | Three years/bachelor’s degree from BYUI | Yes | Two years/Master's of Medical Science in PA Studies |
Seton Hall University | PA | 3 years / Bachelor of Sciences in Biology | Yes | 3 year Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies |
Seton Hill University | PA | 2.5 years | No | 27 or 29 months/ Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science upon completion of the program |
Shenandoah University | VA | 3 years Bachelor of sciences | Yes | Direct admit 5 high school seniors to their PA program every year. They also reserve a PA Program slot for 5 undergrads from their PrePa program of study each year. |
Slippery Rock University | PS | 3 years Bachelor of sciences | Yes | 2 year Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies |
Springfield College | MA | 33 months/ Bachelor of Science in Health Science | Yes | 27 months/ Master of Science |
St. Francis University | PA | Physician Assistant Science Program, B.S. in Health Science + Master of Physician Assistant Science (5-year) | Yes | Master of Physician Assistant Science (2-year) |
Stockton University | NJ | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) | No | Master of Physician Assistant Studies (2-year) |
Union College (UC) | NE | Three years/ Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in biology, chemistry, or psychology; or Bachelor of Science in international rescue and relief; prepares students for application to a number of PA programs across the country and to the UC PA program | Yes | 33 months/ Master of PA Studies |
University of Detroit Mercy
|
MI | Three years/ Bachelor of Science in Biology | Yes | Two years/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
University of the Cumberlands | KY | Three years as pre-PA biology major/ Bachelor of Health Science | Yes | Two years/ Master of Physician Assistant Studies |
University of Evansville | IN | Three years as pre-PA biology major/ Bachelor of Health Science | Yes | Two years/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
University of the Sciences (USP) | PA | Three years | Yes | Three Years Master of Science - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Graduate PA Program |
University of St. Francis–Ft. Wayne | IN | After completing a bachelor's degree, students move directly into PA master's degree curriculum with no additional application process | No | 27 months/ Master of Science in PA Studies |
Valparaiso University | IN | Three years / Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree | Yes | Two years / Master of Science in Physician Assistant |
Wagner College | NY | Three years | Yes | Three years/ Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science in Advanced PA Studies and a PA Certificate of Completion |
Legend and Notes:
- Programs labeled “competitive” may require that the student reapplies for entry into the professional or graduate phase of the PA program or interview or obtain the recommendation of their program. Generally, it means that acceptance into the professional phase is not guaranteed upon successful completion of the pre-professional phase.
- Degrees earned for completion of the pre-professional phase are frequently not awarded by the programs until students successfully complete the first year of the professional phase or upon graduation from the program’s professional.
Do you have an opinion about direct entry PA programs or a PA program update you would like to share? If so, just let me know down below in the comments section below.
N says
I think Stockton University in NJ has a 5 year.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thank’s so much I have added it to the list!
Lina says
Hello,
I graduated with a Cognitive Science BS degree from a 4 yr university. I am currently working on my phlebotomy certification as I look for medical assisting jobs that do not require certification. I have experience scribing and working as a chiropractic aide.
I have only completed inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry, stats and psychology.
I have a 2.6 GPA for undergrad, whereas PA programs require at minimum 3.0.
I know for a fact I want to go the PA route, so I want to move onto a dual-degree PA program, instead of doing my pre-reqs at a community college and then trying to apply. It would just give me more of a piece of mind, knowing I am in a program working towards what I want to eventually obtain. Also, I will be around people who are on the same career track as me.
Are there any accelerated PA programs for people who obtain a BS degree in something that doesn’t meet the PA program pre-reqs?
(I see a lot of these dual-degree programs are for High Schoolers only. I am looking for fast track programs for people who hold their BS degree in something else).
Thanks!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi, Lina, I am actually meeting with Joon Kim, director of the Keck Graduate Institute School of Applied Life Sciences who is creating a post-baccalaureate pre-PA program in February. This would likely be right down your ally as you already have your BS and are looking for a more “direct” route surrounded by other pre-PA or pre-med professionals. You can email him at [email protected] and he will be able to tell you more about their post-bac program and maybe provide you with some other options as well. This may be a good place to start your search. Their website is http://www.kgi.edu. They just have a premedical track now but will be implementing the pre-PA program shortly. I am not sure if there are other post-bac pre-PA programs out there, but I have a feeling there may be or certainly there are others in the development phase.
Stephen
Yeng Shao says
Hi, I am a current freshman in high school and have been researching the PA position for several months. I have made my decision that after highschool I would like to attend a direct entry dual degree program in a college 5-5 1/2 year program. So far there are 38 programs, and most of them don’t suit my personality/location. I wanted to ask for your opinion if you think the number of direct entry or dual degree programs will increase by the time I’m a senior and have to make a decision to plan of what college to go to. Just asking ! Please answer asap. Preferably if there is going to be non competitive direct entry pa programs. My locations that are most important are: (whole state of NJ, or somewhere really close to the big Apple/NYC or that is in NYC). Will there be Direct entry pa programs in these particular areas that won’t require me to apply during my junior year because it is a direct entry, by the time I am a senior?
Yeng Shao says
When I say junior year, I mean of college. Because for competitive programs they require you apply as a junior
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Yeng, unfortunately, I do not have the answer to your question. I would assume with the growth of PA programs nationwide we will continue to see more direct entry programs “popping up.” Here are all the programs in NJ, you may want to contact the programs directly, they may be able to give you a more concrete answer. https://www.paschoolfinder.com/?s=&category=&location=416&a=true
I wish you the best of luck!
Stephen
Morgan says
Butler no longer offers this direct admit program
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thank you so much, Morgan, I have removed it from the list. I really appreciate you taking the time to post this update!
Stephen
Tess says
Hi- I am currently taking my pre-reqs at a Community College and I work full time at a hospital. I am very interested in becoming a PA but my downside is that I still need to be able to work as I completely support myself. That being said, do you know of any accredited PA programs that can be done online? So far I have only seen Yale offering one which is much more expensive than going to a local university that offers one but doesn’t allow for me to work.
Thanks!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Tess, currently Yale is the only online offering. I know there are more in the pipeline. This is the future of education in general and as the details get ironed out I am sure they will be popping up all over the country. But until then…
Stephen
Jane Flood says
HI, it seems as if direct entry isn’t the same as freshman entry. We have visited a few schools and actually won’t be visiting a couple others because they don’t have freshman entry.
Thank you for this great resource.
Jane
will says
U of Pitt has a guaranteed admission program
Chris says
I don’t know all the details but Alderson Broaddus University also has an accredited PA program
Rachel says
I’d like to say Westminster College also offers a 3-3 program with Duquesne University. It’s three years of biology sciences at Westminster and then three years at Duquesne.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thank you so much, Rachel, I have added this to the list!
Stephen
Heidi Bizon says
Westminster’s website states the incoming class of Fall 2017 is the last to be offered the opportunity to matriculate to Duquesne.
Dom says
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that Slippery Rock University offers a 3+2 bs/ms PA program
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thank you so much, Dom, I have added it to the table. Do you know if they have a competitive process for advancement?
Connie says
What is a 3+2 program? Does it guarentee placement in a PA program after receiving a bachelor’s?
Thanks!
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Connie, there are several iterations of this such as the 3 +3 programs. But generally, it is a program you must apply “into” and is composed of 3 years of undergrad with preparation and placement into a PA program upon completion of the required coursework and prerequisites. Followed by 2-3 years of graduate school work to get your MSPA degree. If you click on the school links in the above table you can read about the program offerings along with each school’s requirements.
Stephen
Jane Flood says
Hi, great resource, thank you.
Should the Seton Hall listing be Seton Hill as it lists the university is in PA?
Can you confirm that both Seton HALL and Seton HILL are accredited PA programs for freshman entry.
Jane
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Jane, you are absolutely correct. There are two separate BS/MS programs: Seton Hall and Seton Hill. I have updated the table to reflect these changes. Seton Hall is a 3 + 3 program with a competitive Junior year application while Seton Hill is a 2 + 3 program which you apply to and interview as a freshman. Thanks so much for the heads up!
Stephen
Laura Blanche says
University of the Sciences (USP) in Philadelphia offers a 5-yr. (3+2) accelerated Pre-PA with PCOM.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thanks so much Laura, I have added it to the list.
Stephen
Anne says
I looked USP and it said that they voluntarily gave up their accreditation and will not accept any new students.
Harriett Dever says
My son is looking into a 3-2 dual enrollment program at St. Francis University in Loretto, PA. I was wondering why it is not on the list. Thanks for your information and help.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi, Harriett, it is there now! Thanks so much for alerting me to this.
Stephen
Will says
ACPHS also offers a direct entry PA program
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thanks, Will I have added it to the list.
Stephen
Victoria Rosario says
Is there any direct entry PA programs that are in the south like the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, etc.?
Barbra says
Nova Southeastern in Ft Lauderdale
charles Misori says
Any online programs for the BA and MS onto PA school
Let me know please
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Charles, not that I know of but I will keep you posted if I hear of anything.
Stephen
rAJ says
mY dAUGHTER GOT aCCEPTED AT seTON hALL uNIVERSITY FOR bs/ms pa pROGRAM. it IS NOT ON THIS LIST.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Thanks Raj,
It was on there I actually just had it spelled as Seton “Hill”.. Thanks for letting me know, I have updated the table with the correct changes.
Stephen
Jane Flood says
Seton Hill in PA also has a program
angela says
Hi My daughter is interested in the seton hall pa program. Do you know the requirements from high school?
Tamara White says
Can you give some examples on what are good HCE and patient contact hours? THank you in Advanced.
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
Hi Tamera, here is a post a wrote on the topic. Let me know if you still have some questions! https://www.thepalife.com/hce-paschool/
Stephen
julie says
Hello – My daughter is a junior in college in a Pre-pa Kinesiology program. She is an emt and works on the emt team at her college and also at home with a firehouse. she has had some internships, shadowing and a mission trip. She also volunteered at a spanish-speaking health clinic, getting people signed up for a diabetes study group. All this to say that she is trying very hard to get enough health care experience hours but they’re not adding up very quickly. Any tips on finding volunteer assignments to get both experience and HCE hours? Also, do you think the variety of volunteering she has done will help her when it comes to the admissions decisions? (sorry about the all caps – can’t figure out why this is happening!)
Stephen Pasquini PA-C says
HI Julie,
As a junior in college she is doing great! Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders and has some wonderful experience. Some schools do accept volunteer hours as healthcare experience so the answer to your last question is yes. And beyond that, the kind of experience your daughter has completed is wonderful. She may consider taking a job in a clinic, ER or student health center. If she can complete all her experience hours while in school there is nothing wrong with using a gap year to work. The idea of starting PA school right out of undergrad is kind of a new one as it is. It is not impossible but the clinic where I work we have several new grads who are using a year to gain experience then moving onto PA school.
Stephen