About the program
The Sacred Heart 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: "Our mission is to provide students with engaging experiences that facilitate lifelong learning, enhance diverse perspectives, emphasize primary care and collaborative practice, and foster a spirit of service with a commitment to continuously improve the health of our communities."
The Sacred Heart PA program is primary care focused with students studying in state-of-the-art facilities and technology (patient assessment suite, Anatomage Table, high-fidelity manikins). We offer a Primary Care and Medical Spanish course during the didactic year and an additional primary care rotation during clinical year. We are proud to offer international rotations.
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 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: No Requirement
Program overview
Sacred Heart University's physician assistant program in Connecticut is a 27-month, full-time, on-campus program awarding a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (or Physician Associate Studies). It holds ARC-PA continued accreditation and accepts out-of-state applicants, though international applicants are not eligible. The program admits one cohort per cycle, with the next class scheduled to begin August 2027. Applications are reviewed after the September 1, 2026 deadline has passed under a regular admissions process, meaning all materials are evaluated together rather than on a rolling basis.
The program's mission centers on primary care, collaborative practice, and service to communities, and that emphasis is visible throughout the curriculum. Coursework follows an organ-based and systems-based structure during the didactic year, and the program provides dedicated coursework in both primary care principles and Medical Spanish - a practical addition for clinicians entering diverse patient populations. The clinical year includes an additional primary care rotation beyond standard requirements, and the program offers international rotation opportunities for students seeking broader exposure. Training facilities include a patient assessment suite, an Anatomage virtual dissection table, and high-fidelity simulation manikins.
The incoming class is capped at 42 students, and recent matriculants have averaged a 3.74 overall GPA and a 3.67 science GPA. The program sets its minimum thresholds at 3.00 for both overall and prerequisite GPA, with no time limit on prerequisite coursework. Required prerequisites include Human Anatomy with lab (4 credits), Human Physiology with lab (4 credits), Microbiology with lab (4 credits), and Statistics (3 credits). Applicants must document at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care, and that experience must be paid - volunteer hours alone will not satisfy this requirement. General healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. Three letters of reference are required at minimum.
Total tuition runs $106,575 with no separate rate structure for in-state versus out-of-state students. A $1,000 seat deposit is required upon acceptance. Interviews are conducted in a Multiple Mini Interview format, and an on-site interview is not required, which removes a significant travel burden for applicants coming from outside Connecticut.
An applicant should closely assess whether their paid patient-care background reflects a genuine primary care orientation, as that emphasis runs through every layer of this program's structure and will likely factor into how well they fit the cohort and mission.