About the program
The Assumption University PA program is described in PAEA's published program data; full curriculum details, faculty, and admissions cycle specifics are maintained on the program's own website.
From the program's mission statement: "The mission of the PA Program at Assumption University emphasizes the value and dignity of human life, compassion, and empathy, embodying the principles of Catholic social teaching, preparing our graduates to provide exceptional, ethical, patient-centered care with a focus on life-long learning, leadership, and service to individuals, families, and diverse communities. Our educational environment fosters the development of confident, competent graduates who practice medical care in a collaborative environment."
Dedicated PA classrooms, study spaces, physical examination lab, and medical simulation center. Human Gross Anatomy at the UMass Chan Medical School with full cadaver dissection. Clinical Decision Making: A course dedicated to applying concepts learned in didactic classes supervised by currently practicing providers. Sixteen months of clinical rotations, overseas clinical rotations in American Samoa, Principles of Practice Management & Leadership course, Pre-Clinical Patient Care Experiences.
Matriculant data
Actual stats for students who enrolled in the most recently reported cohort, sourced from PAEA's published program data.
Admission policies
Out-of-state applicants are accepted. International applicants: yes, with exceptions. please visit the program's website. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement
Program overview
Assumption University in Massachusetts offers a 28-month MSPAS program currently holding Provisional ARC-PA accreditation, with its inaugural cohort beginning in January 2027. Because accreditation is provisional, applicants should understand what that status means for their own licensing and credentialing timelines before committing. The program accepts out-of-state students and international applicants with certain exceptions, and it uses rolling admissions, meaning early submission before the October 1, 2026 deadline is a meaningful strategic advantage.
The program's mission is grounded in Catholic social teaching, with an explicit emphasis on the dignity of human life, compassion, patient-centered care, and service to diverse communities. This institutional identity will resonate most with applicants who are drawn to ethics-centered, mission-driven training environments and an expectation of ongoing leadership and service beyond clinical competence.
Matriculants have carried overall and science GPAs of 3.56 and 3.54, respectively, against a stated minimum of 3.00 in both categories, suggesting the competitive midpoint sits meaningfully above the floor. The program requires 2,000 paid direct patient care hours, and healthcare experience is mandatory - this is a program that expects applicants to have been substantively embedded in clinical work, not simply observing. Prerequisite coursework covers general chemistry and biology with labs at eight credits each, human anatomy and physiology with labs at four credits each, microbiology at three credits, and statistics at three credits, with no stated time limit on when those courses were completed.
Curriculum delivery blends traditional and case-based instruction with organ-systems organization, team-based learning, and early clinical exposure. Sixteen months of clinical rotations is a notable feature, and the program offers overseas placements in American Samoa for those seeking international experience. Gross anatomy is conducted at UMass Chan Medical School using full cadaver dissection, which is a hands-on resource not all programs can offer. A dedicated Clinical Decision Making course, supervised by actively practicing clinicians, bridges didactic knowledge and clinical application before rotations begin. Students also complete Pre-Clinical Patient Care Experiences and a Principles of Practice Management and Leadership course, signaling an intention to develop graduates who can operate within and eventually lead healthcare systems.
Facilities include dedicated PA classrooms, study spaces, a physical examination lab, and a medical simulation center - purpose-built infrastructure that matters for a new program building its identity.
Total tuition is $129,500 with a $1,000 seat deposit, and there is no separate tuition rate structure. The class size of 50 keeps cohorts large enough for collaborative learning while remaining manageable. The interview process involves both a traditional interview and a group interview component, and attendance in person is required.
Applicants should honestly weigh whether the program's provisional accreditation timeline, Catholic mission, and mandatory paid patient care requirement align with their professional background and values before applying.