About the program
The Slippery Rock 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 program's focus is to train and develop Physician Assistants with an emphasis on providing care to special populations. The program will aspire to instill lifelong learning skills while advancing the health needs of the region served by the University. Graduates will possess skills and leadership abilities to make a difference in the quality of life in the healthcare environment in which they will work."
Unique to SRU's Physician Assistant Program is the emphasis on special populations and healthcare disparities that is intentionally interwoven throughout the didactic and clinical curriculum, providing graduates with the requisite knowledge and cultural sensitivity to effectively treat patients from diverse backgrounds.
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. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 5 Years
Program overview
Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania offers a 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree with ARC-PA continued accreditation, admitting a class of approximately 52 students beginning in June 2027. The program accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, though prospective international students should consult the program's website for specific conditions that may apply.
The program's mission centers on preparing PAs to serve special populations and address healthcare disparities, with an explicit emphasis on advancing the health needs of the region surrounding the university. What distinguishes SRU's curriculum is that the focus on special populations and health equity is not confined to a standalone course but is deliberately woven through both didactic and clinical training, meaning graduates are expected to carry cultural sensitivity and an understanding of disparities into routine clinical practice. The curriculum itself is organized around an organ-based and systems-based learning model. The program also emphasizes developing lifelong learning habits and leadership skills, positioning graduates to contribute meaningfully to healthcare quality in whatever environment they enter.
The minimum GPA threshold is 3.25 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, with a five-year time limit on prerequisites. Matriculants have averaged a 3.72 overall GPA and a 3.60 science GPA, so competitive applicants should aim above the minimums. Required science prerequisites include six credits of general chemistry with lab, three credits each of general biology with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology, and microbiology with lab, plus three credits of statistics. The patient-care requirement is 600 hours of direct patient care, and while healthcare experience is required, paid employment is not mandatory.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of December 1, 2026, so submitting early in the cycle carries a real advantage. A minimum of three letters of reference are required. Finalists participate in both a traditional interview and a group interview format conducted on-site; there is no remote interview option. The seat deposit is $500, and the program maintains separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, so applicants should verify current tuition figures directly with the university. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning components.
An applicant weighing fit should honestly assess whether they are drawn to mission-driven work with underserved and diverse patient populations, and whether SRU's regional health focus and integrated approach to health equity aligns with the kind of practice they intend to build.