About the program
The Commonwealth University Physician Assistant Program 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 MHS program is to educate and train highly-skilled Physician Assistants who: are capable of providing quality health care, have expertise in the health care needs of the medically underserved, are prepared to critically evaluate, and become leaders in bringing, about improvement in the medical and social systems that affect the health of underserved populations, seek and retain employment as primary care Physician Assistants in medically underserved areas of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
Our program provdes students with a modular format during their didactic year. We utilize the anatomage tables for our anatomy lab instruction. We have international service learning opportunities at a variety of locations during both the didactic and clinical years. We have two campus locations and we teach student synchronously at each campus location using ITV technology.
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.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 5 Years · up to 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Commonwealth University's Physician Assistant Program in Pennsylvania awards a Master of Health Science degree upon completion of its 24-month curriculum, with the next cohort beginning in May 2027. The program currently holds ARC-PA accreditation on probation status, which is a material fact applicants should investigate thoroughly before committing to this path - probationary status means the program has been found out of compliance with accreditation standards and is working to correct deficiencies.
The program's mission is sharply focused on a specific type of graduate: one prepared to practice primary care in medically underserved communities throughout Pennsylvania. This is not a generalist program in orientation. Applicants who have a genuine interest in serving underserved populations and working within the Commonwealth's health systems will find the mission resonant; those seeking broad urban or specialty-track preparation may find the fit less natural.
Didactic instruction follows an organ-based and systems-based learning framework delivered in a modular format across two campus locations, connected synchronously via interactive television technology. The anatomy lab uses Anatomage virtual dissection tables. The program also offers international service learning during both the didactic and clinical years, which distinguishes it for applicants drawn to global health experiences. The estimated incoming class size is 48 students.
The academic bar sits at a 3.0 minimum across overall, science, and prerequisite GPAs. Paid direct patient care is recommended but not required, and healthcare experience broadly is not required - making this program accessible to applicants who are still building their clinical hours. Prerequisites must have been completed within the past five years, and applicants may enter with up to three outstanding courses. Required science prerequisites include six credits each of general chemistry and general biology, plus three credits each of human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and statistics.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of November 1, 2026, so early submission is meaningfully advantageous. At least three letters of reference are required. Interviews include both traditional and group formats and do not require an on-site visit. Out-of-state and international applicants are accepted, though international applicants should review the program's website for specific conditions. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning. A seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance, and the program maintains separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, so applicants should confirm current figures directly with the program.
An applicant should seriously assess both their commitment to underserved primary care practice in Pennsylvania and their comfort level with the program's current probationary accreditation status before applying.