About the program
The Saint Francis 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: "To educate you as physician assistants to provide competent, compassionate and comprehensive health care to people and communities in need, as expressed through the Franciscan tradition."
In person or on campus classes, simulation lab, great pass rate
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. DACA status applicants are not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania offers a 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree with ARC-PA continued accreditation. The program admits a notably small incoming class of approximately 10 students, which means applicants should expect a highly selective process and an intimate cohort experience. The next cohort begins in May 2027, with a regular admissions cycle - all applications are reviewed after the deadline of August 1, 2026 passes.
The mission is rooted in the Franciscan tradition, emphasizing competent, compassionate, and comprehensive care for underserved people and communities. This mission orientation is worth taking seriously; applicants who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to service and vulnerable populations will likely resonate more strongly with the program's identity.
Curriculum is organized around organ- and systems-based learning with early clinical exposure built in, which allows students to connect foundational science to patient care from relatively early in the program. All instruction is delivered in person on campus, supported by a simulation lab. There is no part-time or distance-learning option, so applicants must be prepared to relocate and commit full-time. The program reports a strong board pass rate, though specific figures are not provided in available data.
The academic bar is moderate: a minimum overall GPA of 3.20 and a minimum science GPA of 3.00 are required. Prerequisites include general chemistry with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology with lab (4 credits), microbiology with lab (4 credits), and statistics (3 credits). Applicants may have up to two outstanding prerequisites at the time of application. Healthcare experience is required, but paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandated - a meaningful distinction for applicants whose experience is primarily volunteer-based.
Total tuition runs $120,000 with no differential rate structure for out-of-state students, who are accepted along with international applicants. A seat deposit of $800 is required upon acceptance. Three letters of reference are required, and all interviewed candidates must complete a required, traditional in-person interview on campus.
Applicants who prioritize a small, mission-driven cohort environment grounded in Franciscan values of service, with structured systems-based learning and early hands-on clinical integration, should assess carefully whether their academic record, healthcare experience, and personal values align with what this program has explicitly described as its purpose.