About the program
The North Carolina A&T State 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 North Carolina A&T Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies program will prepare graduates to improve the health of the community through preeminence in medical education, clinical care, and leadership."
NCAT MSPA is the only PA program housed at an HBCU in the state of North Carolina. The learning environment provides access to state of the art simulation labs and clinical teaching spaces.
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 not 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: 5 Years
Program overview
North Carolina A&T State University offers a 27-month Master of Science Physician Assistant program currently holding Provisional ARC-PA accreditation, with its inaugural cohort scheduled to begin in August 2027. As the only PA program housed at an HBCU in North Carolina, the program carries a clear mission oriented toward improving community health through medical education, clinical care, and leadership - a focus that will resonate with applicants drawn to underserved and underrepresented community health contexts.
The program admits a small cohort of approximately 22 students per cycle, which suggests a close instructional environment. All applications are reviewed after the November 1, 2026 deadline passes under a regular, non-rolling admissions process, so there is no strategic advantage to submitting unusually early. The program accepts out-of-state and, with certain exceptions, international applicants, though separate tuition rates apply and prospective students should check the program's website for international eligibility details.
Academically, matriculants have averaged a 3.29 overall GPA and a 3.18 science GPA, with hard minimums of 3.00 in both categories. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past five years and includes general chemistry, general biology, human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology - each requiring a corresponding lab - plus statistics. The GRE is required; the MCAT is not accepted.
On the patient care side, the program requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient care, and those hours must be paid. Healthcare experience is required beyond patient care hours alone. These combined requirements mean the program is best suited to applicants who have already been working meaningfully in clinical settings, not candidates still accumulating basic exposure.
Curriculum delivery integrates asynchronous learning, case-based learning, problem-based learning, systems-based coursework, and collaborative team-based approaches. The program provides access to simulation labs and dedicated clinical teaching spaces on campus. No distance learning or part-time options are available, so students should plan for full-time, in-person commitment throughout the 27 months.
The application requires at least three letters of reference and a GRE score. Interviews may take any of several formats - traditional, panel, group, or MMI - and are not required to be conducted onsite. A seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance.
An applicant should judge fit here primarily by whether the program's HBCU mission and community health emphasis align with their own professional values, and whether their paid clinical hours and GPA meet the stated thresholds comfortably given how competitive a small cohort of 22 seats will be.