About the program
The Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program 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: "Mission Statement link: https://medicaleducation.weill.cornell.edu/medical-education/health-sciences-physician-assistants"
Five (5) Clinical Elective Rotations; Strong affiliation and support from New York Presbyterian, Hospital of Special Surgery, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.; Anatomy Cadaver Lab
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.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 1 outstanding at application
Program overview
This program, housed at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, awards a Master of Science in Health Sciences upon completion of a 27-month, full-time curriculum with no part-time or distance learning options. It holds Continued accreditation from ARC-PA and is scheduled to begin its next cohort in August 2027, with an application deadline of August 1, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a regular cycle, meaning all materials are evaluated after the deadline passes rather than on a rolling basis.
The curriculum follows an organ-based and systems-based learning model, which organizes instruction around body systems rather than individual disciplines in isolation. The program benefits from strong clinical affiliations with New York Presbyterian, Hospital of Special Surgery, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, giving students exposure to a range of specialty environments. Five clinical elective rotations allow students to pursue focused interests within their clinical training. The program also features a cadaver-based anatomy lab, which supports hands-on anatomical instruction.
Academically, the program is competitive. Matriculants have carried a mean overall GPA of 3.82 and a mean science GPA of 3.75, well above the stated minimums of 3.00 in both categories. Applicants whose numbers fall significantly below matriculant averages should assess their candidacy carefully. Healthcare experience is required, though paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandatory. This distinction is worth noting for applicants whose experience comes from volunteer or non-paid settings.
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past ten years, and applicants may enter with no more than one outstanding prerequisite at the time of application. Required science courses include eight credits each of general chemistry and general biology, both with labs, along with three credits each of human anatomy and human physiology. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants and does not offer a separate tuition rate for in-state residents. Total tuition stands at $131,886, and a seat deposit of $1,500 is required upon acceptance. The incoming class size is approximately 52 students, which is a relatively small cohort for a program of this caliber.
The application requires a minimum of two reference letters. Interviews are conducted using a combination of traditional, panel, and group formats, and an onsite interview is not required, which may benefit applicants who cannot travel to New York during the process.
Applicants should evaluate fit primarily on the basis of whether their academic record approaches matriculant averages, whether their healthcare experience satisfies the program's expectations, and whether the cost and New York City clinical environment align with their professional goals and financial planning.