About the program
The Westfield State 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 Westfield State University Physician Assistant Program seeks to educate physician assistant students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be compassionate, culturally aware healthcare providers who are prepared to practice in a patient centered team."
On Campus Simulation Lab, international mission trip, public university program, organ systems curriculum
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. On-campus housing is available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years
Program overview
Westfield State University offers a 24-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, a public university program in Massachusetts with ARC-PA Continued accreditation. The program accepts its next cohort starting January 2027, with an application deadline of August 1, 2026, and reviews all applications after that deadline has passed rather than on a rolling basis.
The program's mission centers on training compassionate, culturally aware providers from diverse backgrounds who are prepared to work in patient-centered team environments. That emphasis on cultural awareness carries into at least one concrete opportunity: an international mission trip is listed among the program's notable features. The curriculum blends traditional and case-based learning within an organ systems framework, and students have access to an on-campus simulation lab for clinical skills development.
Admissions thresholds are accessible for a competitive field. The program sets a 3.00 floor across overall, science, and prerequisite GPAs, though matriculants typically arrive with a 3.71 overall and 3.67 science GPA, so meaningful headroom above the minimum is standard. The 500-hour direct patient care requirement is on the lower end of the national spectrum, but paid patient care experience is required, not simply preferred - volunteer hours will not satisfy this component. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past 10 years and includes Human Anatomy with lab (4 credits), Human Physiology with lab (4 credits), Microbiology with lab (3 credits), and Statistics (3 credits).
Total tuition runs $113,832 with no differentiation between in-state and out-of-state rates, making this a relatively affordable option even for applicants from outside Massachusetts. The program accepts out-of-state students and international applicants, though international candidates should consult the program's website directly for applicable exceptions. A $1,000 seat deposit is required upon acceptance. Incoming class size is approximately 30 students.
Three letters of recommendation are required. The interview process is onsite and notably multifaceted, incorporating traditional, panel, group, and scenario room formats - applicants should prepare for a structured, skills-evaluative day rather than a straightforward conversational interview.
An applicant should judge fit here primarily by whether their paid patient care hours meet the mandatory requirement and whether the program's public-university cost structure, international service component, and systems-based curriculum align with their professional goals and learning preferences.