About the program
The Chatham 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 Chatham University MPAS Program is dedicated to producing knowledgeable, compassionate, ethical, and clinically skillful graduates who are ready to provide health care services to all persons without exclusion and who are willing to become the future leaders and educators of the profession. (Full mission is on the website)"
Problem-based learning curriculum, cadaver lab, Interprofessional Education opportunities
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. On-campus housing is available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Chatham University offers a 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree in Pennsylvania, delivered through a problem-based learning curriculum that emphasizes active, case-driven education rather than traditional lecture-heavy instruction. The program holds continued ARC-PA accreditation and admits an incoming class of approximately 60 students each August, with the next cohort beginning in August 2027. Applications are reviewed on a post-deadline basis, with a cutoff of October 1, 2026.
The program's mission centers on producing graduates who are knowledgeable, compassionate, and clinically capable of serving all patients without exclusion, with an explicit emphasis on developing future leaders and educators within the profession. Beyond problem-based learning, the curriculum incorporates cadaver lab work and interprofessional education opportunities, giving students structured exposure to collaborative clinical practice before entering rotations.
Academically, Chatham sets a minimum overall and science GPA of 3.30, though matriculants typically arrive with a 3.8 in both categories, signaling that competitive applicants should aim well above the floor. Notably, the program does not require paid direct patient care or any healthcare experience for admission, which distinguishes it from many peer programs and may make it more accessible to career changers or recent graduates who have accumulated patient contact through volunteer or unpaid settings. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last ten years, and up to three outstanding prerequisites are permitted at the time of application. Required science prerequisites include eight credits each of general chemistry and general biology with labs, four credits of human anatomy with lab, three credits of human physiology with lab, and three credits of microbiology.
Total tuition runs approximately $127,000 with no differentiated rate for in-state versus out-of-state students, and a seat deposit of $800 is required upon acceptance. Out-of-state and international applicants are welcome, though international candidates should review program-specific conditions on the website. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning options. Applicants must submit at least three letters of reference and, if selected, complete a required onsite group interview.
Prospective students should honestly assess whether the problem-based learning format suits their learning style and whether their GPA is genuinely competitive against a matriculant average of 3.8, rather than simply meeting the stated minimum.