About the program
The Barry University – St. Petersburg 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: "Barry University’s Mission includes the core commitments of knowledge and truth; inclusive community; social justice; and collaborative service which are reinforced in the program curriculum."
Team collaborative environment with students and faculty, Medical Spanish, technological advancement (IAV technology,3D Anatomy, ultrasound incorporation).
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: 10 Years
Program overview
Barry University's St. Petersburg campus offers a 28-month Master of Health Science degree in physician assistant studies, accredited by ARC-PA with Continued status. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants (with exceptions noted on the program's website), and with an incoming class size of approximately 100 students, it operates on a meaningful scale that still maintains a team-collaborative environment between students and faculty.
The admissions bar is accessible relative to many programs. Both the minimum overall and science GPA sit at 3.00, and matriculants have typically arrived with a 3.4 in both categories. Paid direct patient care and healthcare experience are recommended but not required, which makes this program worth considering for applicants who have meaningful healthcare exposure but may not meet the stricter paid-hours thresholds common elsewhere. The PA-CAT is required, and applicants should plan accordingly since this standardized exam is a firm prerequisite for the application.
The curriculum blends case-based, team-based, organ/systems-based, and traditional learning approaches, reflecting the university's broader institutional commitments to knowledge, inclusive community, social justice, and collaborative service - all of which are woven into the program's coursework. Practical technology integration is a distinguishing feature: the program incorporates IAV technology, 3D anatomy tools, and ultrasound training. Medical Spanish instruction is also embedded, which is particularly relevant given the program's Florida location and the patient populations graduates are likely to serve.
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past ten years and includes general chemistry (6 credits), general biology (3 credits), and lab-required courses in human anatomy (4 credits), human physiology (4 credits), and microbiology (4 credits). Three letters of reference are required. Interviews include both traditional and group formats and are not required to be completed onsite. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of December 1, 2026 for an August 2027 start, so submitting early carries real strategic value.
Total tuition runs approximately $91,000 with no separate tuition rates for in-state versus out-of-state students, and a seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning options.
An applicant should judge fit here primarily by whether they are drawn to a collaborative, mission-driven environment that integrates social justice values, technological tools, and bilingual clinical preparation - and whether their timeline allows for early submission given the rolling review process.