About the program
The Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine 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 Boston University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program is to provide a thorough and innovative education to future physician assistants so that they may go on to provide exceptional care to a diverse population of patients. We are committed to designing a successful model for patient-centered, interprofessional education and practice. We promote professionalism, leadership, and service in our students."
The didactic portion of our program has our students in classes with the medical students in a curriculum which emphasizes the practice of evidence-based medicine, patient-centered care within an interprofessional team
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. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement
Program overview
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine offers an ARC-PA accredited, 34-month program awarding a Master of Science degree, with the next cohort beginning August 2027. The program admits a relatively small class of 30 students, which suggests meaningful faculty contact and a close-knit learning environment. Applications are reviewed on a regular cycle after the September 1, 2026 deadline passes, so there is no advantage to submitting early beyond ensuring completeness.
The matriculant GPA profile sits at 3.76 overall and 3.69 in the sciences, with a minimum science GPA requirement of 3.20. These figures signal that while the program sets a clear academic floor, it does attract a competitive applicant pool, and candidates near the minimum should present strong supporting materials. Notably, paid direct patient care and healthcare experience are both recommended rather than required, making this a viable option for applicants who have pursued meaningful clinical exposure through volunteer or observation roles rather than formal employment, though competitive applicants should still demonstrate substantive patient interaction.
The curriculum integrates PA students alongside medical students in the didactic phase, with an explicit emphasis on evidence-based medicine and interprofessional practice. This is a meaningful structural feature rather than a stated aspiration, as students are embedded in coursework shared with MD candidates. The curriculum itself uses a hybrid approach combining traditional instruction with case-based and organ-systems organization, along with early clinical exposure. The program's mission centers on preparing PAs to serve diverse patient populations and emphasizes professionalism, leadership, and service throughout training.
Prerequisite requirements include general chemistry with lab, general biology with lab, and human physiology, and there is no time limit on when these courses must have been completed. The program accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, with TOEFL required for those for whom English is not a primary language. CASPer is also required as part of the application. Candidates must submit at least three letters of reference and, if invited, must complete an onsite Multiple Mini Interview, which assesses interpersonal skills, ethical reasoning, and situational judgment across a series of short structured stations.
Total tuition is $164,874 with a seat deposit of $1,000, and there is no separate tuition rate for in-state or out-of-state students. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning options, meaning full commitment to an on-campus, full-time schedule is required for the duration.
An applicant should evaluate fit here primarily around academic preparation at or above the science GPA threshold, genuine interest in interprofessional medical education, and readiness to engage with a rigorous curriculum shared with medical students in a Boston academic medical center setting.