About the program
The Mercyhurst 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 curriculum of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is presented as a graduate level program with a mission to prepare students with the highest quality academic and clinical training. The program will prepare physician assistants to be socially aware leaders in the profession, proficient in meeting the challenges of healthcare while providing service and compassionate, quality care to the diverse communities in which they serve."
On campus human cadaver lab, all faculty continue to work clinically at least 1 day in their specialty
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: 5 Years · up to 9 outstanding at application
Program overview
Mercyhurst University offers a 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree in Pennsylvania, holding Continued accreditation status through ARC-PA. The program begins in May 2027 and accepts applications on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of December 1, 2026, meaning early submission is a practical advantage for competitive applicants.
The program's mission centers on producing socially aware, service-oriented practitioners equipped to deliver compassionate care to diverse communities. Curriculum is organized around organ-based and systems-based learning, a structure that emphasizes integrated understanding of body systems rather than discipline-by-discipline instruction. Two features stand out on the practical side: students have access to an on-campus human cadaver lab, and all faculty maintain at least one clinical day per week in their specialty, keeping instruction grounded in current practice rather than purely academic.
The incoming class is small at approximately 30 students, which likely supports close faculty-student relationships. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants, though international candidates should review program-specific exceptions on the institution's website. No distance learning or part-time options are available, and there is no remote interview format - interviews are conducted via Multiple Mini Interview, though attendance is not required to be onsite.
The minimum overall and prerequisite GPA is 3.20, but the average matriculant GPA sits at 3.80, signaling a meaningfully competitive admitted pool. Applicants with GPAs closer to the floor should approach with realistic expectations. The direct patient care threshold is notably low at 200 hours, with paid experience and broader healthcare experience recommended but not required, making the program accessible to applicants earlier in their pre-PA journey - though stronger hours will remain a competitive differentiator given the selectivity suggested by the matriculant GPA.
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within five years, and up to nine outstanding prerequisites are permitted at the time of application. Required science courses include two semesters each of general chemistry and general biology with labs, human anatomy with lab, human physiology, microbiology with lab, and statistics. Three letters of reference are required. Total tuition is $116,400 with a seat deposit of $1,200, and the tuition rate does not vary for out-of-state students.
An applicant should assess fit by weighing the program's small cohort, clinically active faculty, and low patient-care floor against its high average admitted GPA, and submit early given rolling admissions.