About the program
The Emory & Henry 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: "With a primary goal of reducing suffering and empowering our patients to lead more content lives, we focus on faculty, student, and patient satisfaction throughout the PA program. In so doing, it is our goal to assist students in not only developing into stellar, competent, compassionate, and mission-focused PAs but also to become better at “being”. Beyond our stellar experiential activities, conducted throughout all phases of the program, we also implement active learning strategies that are purposive, holistic, reflective, complex, engaging, collaborative, and case-based."
The Physician Assistance program at Emory & Henry University offers students state-of-the-art equipment in the classroom, dedicated PA lab, on-campus simulation lab and traditional cadaver lab. In addition, our students begin rotating in the Mel Leaman Free Clinic second semester of their first year.
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 · up to 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Emory & Henry University in Virginia offers a 27-month MPAS program with ARC-PA continued accreditation, admitting a class of approximately 40 students beginning in May 2027. The program accepts applicants on a rolling basis with a final deadline of January 15, 2027, meaning early submission is a genuine tactical advantage.
The admissions bar is moderately accessible. Minimum GPAs sit at 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, though matriculants have typically entered with a 3.63 overall and 3.52 science GPA, so competitive applicants should aim meaningfully above the floor. Direct patient care hours are required at a minimum of 500, a relatively modest threshold, and while paid experience is recommended it is not mandatory. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. Prerequisites must have been completed within the last ten years, and applicants may enter with up to three outstanding courses still in progress. Required science coursework includes general chemistry with lab, two semesters of biology with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, and microbiology with lab, plus a statistics course. The GRE is required; the MCAT will not be accepted.
The program's mission centers on reducing patient suffering and emphasizes faculty, student, and patient satisfaction as parallel goals. The curriculum is described as purposive, holistic, reflective, collaborative, and case-based, with active learning woven throughout all phases rather than confined to specific blocks. There is no declared specialty concentration. A standout feature is early clinical exposure: students begin rotating at the Mel Leaman Free Clinic during the second semester of their first year, giving them hands-on patient interaction well before most programs transition out of didactic training. The physical learning environment includes a dedicated PA lab, a simulation lab, and a traditional cadaver lab.
Total tuition runs $95,900 with a seat deposit of $1,000. There are no separate tuition rates, meaning in-state and out-of-state students pay the same amount. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants, though international candidates should review the program's website for applicable exceptions. No part-time or distance learning options exist.
The selection process involves both a traditional interview and a group interview, conducted onsite. Three letters of reference are required at minimum.
Applicants should honestly weigh whether the early free-clinic rotation, the program's explicit emphasis on compassionate and mission-driven practice, and its community-oriented Virginia setting align with the kind of provider they want to become.