About the program
The Presbyterian College 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 Presbyterian College Physician Assistant Studies Program is to develop the medical, mental, moral, and physical capacities of each student in preparation for a lifetime of service to patients and those in need. To fulfill this mission, our top priority is fostering an environment that empowers faculty, students, and practitioners to learn, grow, and expand their knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the communities they serve.``"
Presbyterian College’s 24-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies features small class sizes with a 13:1 student–faculty ratio, program-specific learning spaces, and expert faculty. Hands-on clinical training and extensive affiliation agreements support diverse rotations, including rural healthcare settings. Located in a rural community, the program prepares graduates to diagnose, treat, prescribe, and make an immediate impact in patient care.
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. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years
Program overview
Presbyterian College offers a 24-month MPAS program in Clinton, South Carolina, holding ARC-PA Continued accreditation and accepting its next cohort in October 2027. The program does not offer part-time enrollment, distance learning options, or admission to international applicants, making it straightforward in structure for domestic students who can commit fully on-site.
The program's mission centers on developing students across medical, mental, moral, and physical dimensions with an explicit orientation toward service - particularly to underserved and rural populations. This is not incidental language. The program is physically situated in a rural community, maintains clinical affiliation agreements that include rural healthcare settings, and frames its curriculum around preparing graduates to make an immediate practice-level impact. Applicants drawn to primary care or rural medicine will find the mission and location genuinely aligned rather than aspirational.
Curriculum follows an organ-based and systems-based learning model across the 24-month span. The incoming class size of 36 students and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio create a tightly structured learning environment with access to program-specific facilities and faculty who can realistically know each student by name.
The admissions bar is moderately competitive. The minimum GPA requirement sits at 3.20 for both overall and science coursework, though matriculants have arrived with averages of 3.7 overall and 3.6 in science, so applicants near the floor should be realistic about their standing in the pool. Prerequisite coursework carries a seven-year time limit and is fairly rigorous, requiring lab components in general chemistry, general biology, human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology. The program requires paid direct patient care hours - a minimum of 200 - along with broader healthcare experience. The GRE is required and the MCAT will not be accepted as a substitute.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a final deadline of April 1, 2027. Given rolling review, applying early meaningfully improves an applicant's position. Three letters of reference are required, and finalists must attend an on-site interview that may involve traditional, panel, group, or multiple mini interview formats - preparation for varied formats is warranted.
Total tuition runs $106,470 with a $1,500 seat deposit required upon acceptance. Out-of-state students are accepted and pay no separate tuition rate.
An applicant should honestly assess whether their patient-care background reflects genuine rural or underserved exposure, since fit with this program's mission is both a selection factor and a daily reality of the training environment.