About the program
The Marist 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 Marist Physician Assistant Studies program is committed to creating high-quality healthcare providers who are prepared to practice ethical and culturally sensitive medicine, committed to service, and committed to advancing the PA profession."
Strong sense of community with students, faculty, and staff, Gross dissection cadaver lab in a state of the art anatomy lab, Dedicated classroom & skills lab open 24/7, Simulation Suite on site with state of the art simulation mannequins, 2 clinical electives with over 35 medical specialties, Clinical elective rotation available in Forensic Medicine, Point of Care Ultrasound, Clinical elective rotations available internationally in Ghana & Italy, Clinical rotations in US Virgin Islands
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 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: 7 Years
Program overview
Marist University in New York offers a 24-month MSPAS program carrying ARC-PA continued accreditation, with the next cohort beginning May 2027. The program accepts out-of-state applicants but does not consider international students, and there is no distance learning or part-time option, so candidates must be prepared for a full-time, in-person commitment from the start.
The admissions bar is accessible but firm: a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 science GPA are required, and direct patient care hours are set at 500, a threshold lower than many peer programs. Paid patient care experience is recommended but not required, which makes this a reasonable option for applicants whose hours were earned through volunteer or unpaid roles. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required, so candidates should ensure they can document both. Prerequisite coursework - including labs in general chemistry, general biology, human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology, plus a statistics course - must have been completed within the last seven years.
The curriculum blends traditional didactic instruction with case-based learning and is anchored by strong hands-on infrastructure: a gross dissection cadaver lab, a dedicated classroom and skills lab available around the clock, and an on-site simulation suite with advanced mannequins. The program's mission centers on producing ethical, culturally sensitive clinicians committed to service and to advancing the PA profession. Clinical training reflects that breadth - students have access to over 35 medical specialties, two elective rotations including options in forensic medicine and point-of-care ultrasound, international placements in Ghana and Italy, and rotations in the US Virgin Islands. These options add meaningful variety for students interested in global health or niche specialties.
Total tuition is $121,500 with a $1,500 seat deposit; there are no separate tuition rates for in-state versus out-of-state students. The incoming class size is 60, which is on the larger side and contributes to what the program describes as a strong sense of community among students, faculty, and staff.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of October 1, 2026, so early submission is strategically important. Three letters of reference are required. The interview process is notably multifaceted, incorporating traditional interviews, group interviews, multiple mini interviews, and a scenario room format - though an onsite interview is not required.
An applicant should consider Marist a strong fit if they want accessible GPA and patient-care thresholds combined with robust simulation resources, international clinical opportunities, and a structured but flexible interview format, and can commit to the full-time, in-person 24-month program starting in May 2027.