About the program
The South College – Orlando 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 South College Orlando Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is to educate qualified physician assistant students, preparing them to become competent, compassionate healthcare providers who can meet the needs of the communities in which they choose to practice."
South College Orlando’s PA program features a state-of-the-art simulation lab with high-fidelity simulators and integrated point-of-care ultrasound training. Located in Orlando, Florida, the program offers diverse clinical education opportunities with rotation sites across the United States, allowing students to gain broad clinical exposure while experiencing a variety of health care systems and geographic regions.
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. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
South College Orlando offers a 27-month Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies, currently holding ARC-PA Provisional accreditation, with an anticipated start date of October 2027. The program accepts out-of-state students but not international applicants, has no part-time or distance learning options, and operates on a rolling admissions basis with an application deadline of April 1, 2027, meaning earlier submission meaningfully improves competitive standing.
The program's mission centers on producing competent and compassionate clinicians who can serve the communities where they practice - a straightforward, community-oriented focus without emphasis on research or academic medicine. The curriculum blends case-based, problem-based, systems-based, and traditional instructional approaches, giving students exposure to multiple pedagogical frameworks across didactic training. A simulation lab with high-fidelity simulators and integrated point-of-care ultrasound training is a notable infrastructure feature. Clinical rotations are distributed across sites throughout the United States, which offers geographic and health system variety but may require flexibility regarding travel or temporary relocation.
With a minimum overall and science GPA of 2.75 and matriculant averages sitting at 3.54 overall and 3.42 in science, the program reaches a broad range of applicants academically, though competitive candidates should expect to land closer to those matriculant averages. Paid direct patient care is neither required nor even required as unpaid experience - healthcare experience is only recommended - making this one of the more accessible programs for applicants still building clinical hours. The incoming class size of approximately 100 is large, which typically correlates with broader acceptance and more applicant slots.
Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry with lab (8 credits), general biology with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology with lab (4 credits), and microbiology with lab (3 credits), all completed within the past seven years. Up to two prerequisites may be outstanding at the time of application. Both the GRE and the PA-CAT are required; the program explicitly will not accept the MCAT as a substitute for the GRE. Three letters of reference are required, and interviews may be conducted in traditional or panel format, with no requirement that the interview be completed onsite.
Total tuition runs $110,250 with a $1,500 seat deposit and no separate tuition rate structure for in-state versus out-of-state students. Applicants should assess fit primarily by considering whether they are comfortable with a provisionally accredited program, can meet the prerequisite and testing requirements, and want access to broad national clinical rotation exposure from a large-cohort program in central Florida.