About the program
The The CUNY School of Medicine (formerly CCNY Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education) 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 City University of New York School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program is to improve the health of underserved communities and to eliminate healthcare disparity by providing increased access to physician assistant education to students from traditionally underserved populations. Through education and mentoring, we will create a highly skilled workforce that provides primary health services to the communities of greatest need."
The CUNY School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program is a historically grounded program offering rigorous, affordable training within New York City’s dynamic healthcare system. Students gain extensive clinical exposure across major hospitals, learn from committed faculty mentors, and are prepared to serve complex patient populations with competence, compassion, and a strong foundation in primary care, public health, and interprofessional practice.
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 considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
The CUNY School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, based in New York City, offers a 28-month curriculum leading to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The program holds ARC-PA accreditation status on probation, which is a material fact applicants must weigh carefully before applying. It admits an estimated 35 students per cohort, with the next class scheduled to begin in August 2027.
The program's mission is explicit and central to its identity: preparing physician assistants to serve underserved communities and reduce healthcare disparities by training students from traditionally underserved populations. This is not incidental language - it shapes who the program recruits and what it emphasizes clinically. Applicants who are drawn to primary care, public health, and working within under-resourced settings will find the mission directly aligned with their goals. The curriculum uses a blend of case-based, problem-based, team-based, and hybrid learning approaches, orienting students toward collaborative clinical reasoning rather than passive instruction. Clinical training draws on New York City's extensive hospital system, giving students exposure to complex and diverse patient populations.
The minimum GPA requirement stands at 3.00 for both overall and prerequisite coursework, with prerequisites completed within the past seven years and no more than two outstanding at the time of application. Required science prerequisites include general chemistry and general biology with labs at eight credits each, human anatomy and physiology at four credits each with labs, microbiology with a lab at three credits, and three credits of statistics. Notably, the program does not require documented healthcare experience for admission, which differentiates it from many competing programs and may make it more accessible to career changers or recent graduates still building their clinical hours.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of December 1, 2026, so submitting early carries real strategic advantage. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants, though separate tuition rates apply, meaning costs will differ depending on residency status. A seat deposit of $250 is required upon acceptance. The admissions process includes a required on-site traditional interview, so applicants should plan for travel to New York City. Three letters of reference are the minimum required. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning options.
Given the probationary accreditation status, applicants should contact the program directly and review the ARC-PA's publicly available documentation to understand the nature of that status and any timeline for resolution before committing to this program.