About the program
The Berry College 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 Berry PA Program is committed to preparing, educating, and empowering the next generation of physician associates to deliver quality comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered care to their communities."
27,000 acre campus, New 55,000 SQFT Health Sciences building, Berry Simulation Lab, 3500 SQFT PA lab, OR suite, Ladd Health & Counseling Center, Memorial Library, Cage Center & Aquatics, Office of Belonging & Community Engagement, Intercultural Center
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: no. DACA status applicants are not 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 · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Berry College offers a 24-month Master of Medical Science degree in physician assistant studies, set to welcome its inaugural class in August 2027. The program currently holds provisional ARC-PA accreditation status, which applicants should weigh carefully when evaluating long-term credentialing implications. Located in Georgia, the program accepts out-of-state students but does not admit international applicants, and there is no distance learning or part-time enrollment option.
The admissions bar sits at a 3.00 minimum for both overall and prerequisite GPA, with matriculants typically arriving with a 3.6, suggesting meaningful competition despite the accessible floor. Healthcare experience is required, though paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandatory - a practical opening for applicants whose hands-on hours come from volunteer or unpaid roles. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past ten years, and applicants may enter with up to two outstanding prerequisites. Required science courses include eight credits of general chemistry with lab, four credits each of human anatomy and human physiology both with lab, three credits of microbiology, and three credits of statistics.
Curriculum delivery emphasizes case-based and organ-systems learning, which tends to mirror clinical reasoning workflows and suits applicants who prefer integrated, problem-oriented instruction over isolated lecture formats. The program's mission centers on preparing graduates to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care within their communities - language that signals an interest in primary care-oriented, service-minded candidates.
The physical infrastructure is a genuine asset: a new 55,000-square-foot health sciences building houses a dedicated 3,500-square-foot PA lab and an OR suite, alongside a simulation lab designed to support procedural skill development before students enter clinical rotations. The 27,000-acre campus also provides access to health and counseling services, fitness and aquatics facilities, and intercultural and community engagement offices, which collectively support student wellbeing and belonging across a diverse cohort.
Total tuition runs $118,260 with no differential rate for in-state versus out-of-state students, and a $1,000 seat deposit is required upon acceptance. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis through an April 1, 2027 deadline, making early submission strategically important. Three letters of reference are required. The interview process is notably multifaceted, incorporating a traditional interview, group interview, multiple mini interview, and a scenario room - candidates should prepare for a range of evaluative formats that assess communication, clinical reasoning, and interpersonal skills simultaneously.
Estimated class size is 40 students, creating a relatively small cohort environment that typically supports closer faculty-student interaction. Applicants should assess fit by honestly comparing their healthcare experience profile and prerequisite completion timeline against the program's requirements, then considering whether they are prepared for a rigorous multi-format interview process at a program still in its provisional accreditation phase.