M.S. in Physician Assistant

Ranked #3 in the country by U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools.

Consistently honored as a top graduate program, our M.S. in Physician Assistant program builds a strong educational foundation in sciences, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics, and pathology, in preparation for immersion into hands-on clinical experiences.

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Apply to M.S. PA through CASPA

Apply as Affiliated 3+3 candidate

Why Study Physician
Assistant at Rutgers?

Our program is built on a culture of collaboration, emphasizing rigorous and innovatively delivered curriculum, evidence-based practice, and a commitment to service. As a result, our students graduate as competent healthcare providers focused on humanistic, patient-centered care.

Alumni work across the nation and beyond in all medical specialties and settings. The employment rate for class of 2024 is 100%.

$133,260
* average salary of a Physician Assistant graduate.

* U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics

Program Highlights

The Physician Assistant program was ranked No. 3 in the country by U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools survey in 2025.
The 5-year first-time pass rate of 97 percent on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) exam.
100 percent Ultimate Pass Rate on the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE) from 2019 -2024.
The innovative curriculum delivers small-group learning, simulation, and clinical elective opportunities.
Clinical sites provided by the program are within commuting distance from the campus.
All principal faculty have earned or are currently pursuing doctoral degrees including: DHSc, DMSc, DrPH, DScPAS, MD, and Ph.D.
Students engage with underserved communities through the H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach Patient Experience) Clinic, working alongside faculty providing primary care services..
Commitment to diversity through a holistic admissions process with intensified recruitment efforts to enroll students from traditionally underrepresented communities.
One of few PA Programs to offer both full-time and part-time options

Learning Beyond the Classroom

H.O.P.E. Clinic
Health Outreach Practice Experience Clinic

Partnering with the community to provide culturally competent and compassionate care to uninsured adults, Rutgers School of Health Professions’ Physician Assistant Program opened the Health Outreach Practice Experience (HOPE) Clinic in Plainfield, NJ in July 2021.

Licensed faculty and PA program students manage acute and chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension for the uninsured. The clinic aligns the PA program’s mission to both educate students and engage with the local community.

Visit the hope clinic website

Program Overview

Three Degree Options for M.S. in Physician Assistant:

Master of Science – for those already holding a bachelor degree.
Articulated BA/MS or BS/MS Degree (3+3) Program – for eligible students who are enrolled at one of our partner institutions.
Master of Science/Master of Public Health Dual Degree – a 4-year, dual degree program for students already accepted to the PA program.

We provide broad-based, high-quality education to graduate PAs who are well-prepared to work in a variety of settings.

The intense curriculum includes 114 credits across three years, with a full year of clinically-focused basic science preparation. Clinical rotations are offered in nine disciplines: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care Medicine, Psychiatry, Ambulatory/Family Medicine, and a Medical Sub-specialty. In addition, students choose two electives.

Graduates of the Program work in all types of settings, including inpatient units, emergency departments, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, community health centers, freestanding surgical centers, solo physician practices, single specialty physician practices, and multi-specialty physician practices.

Program Director
Matthew McQuillan

Associate Program Director
Jessica Gomes

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Rutgers University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Rutgers University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2026. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-rutgers-university/.

See the Rutgers University PA Program ARC-PA Student Attrition Table.

State Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosure:

The Rutgers School of Health Professions MS Physician Assistant meets the professional licensing requirements of the following states: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, PR

Performance on the PANCE

In accordance with Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) standards, detailed first-time and ultimate pass rate data for the most recent five years is publicly available here.

Our program also has a long-standing record of strong graduate outcomes on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), with outcome data available dating back to 1998. Longitudinal performance data can be found here.

These outcomes reflect a curriculum that emphasizes strong clinical reasoning, intentional assessment, and consistent faculty engagement across the program.

Mission and Vision

Mission Statement

Foster excellence in humanistic patient care through dynamic PA education, scholarship, and service in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Vision

Recognized as an inclusive leader of exemplary education and healthcare delivery.

Program Core Values

To meet our mission and achieve our vision, the Rutgers University Physician Assistant Program emphasizes the following values:

Excellence in teaching and mentorship
Service to the community
Academic and professional integrity
Personal and professional wellness

Program Goals

Provide broad-based, high-quality education to graduate PAs who are well-prepared to work in a variety of settings.

The intense curriculum includes 114 credits across three years (33 months), with a full year of clinically-focused basic science preparation. Clinical rotations are offered in nine disciplines: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care Medicine, Psychiatry, Ambulatory/Family Medicine, and a Medical Sub-specialty. In addition, students choose two electives.

Goal #1: Graduates of the program will successfully pass the PANCE with a first-time pass rate above the national mean and an ultimate pass rate of 100%.

Outcome: The Class of 2025 achieved a first-time pass rate of 100% and an ultimate pass rate of 100%. The National Exam Pass Rate for 2025 was 91%.

Foster humanistic care with an emphasis on beneficence.

The Program includes a threaded humanities curriculum, including opportunities for self-reflection. Students evaluate clinical sites on their ability to develop skills in providing humanistic care.

Goal #2: Greater than 90% of clinical sites surveyed by students will provide them with the opportunity to develop their skills in delivering humanistic care.

Outcome: The clerkship provided me with an opportunity to develop my skills in providing humanistic patient care .

Promote a culture of diversity.

The student body includes diverse individuals from across the country representing various ethnic and racial groups. The Program consistently continues to focus recruitment efforts on identifying applicants from underrepresented groups.

Goal #3: The percentage of students of color will exceed the national mean for each cohort as reported by PAEA.1

PA Education Association, By the Numbers: Student Report 6: Data from the 2022 Matriculating Student and End of Program Surveys, Washington, DC: PAEA; 2024. doi: 10.17538/ SR2022.0006

Outcome: The percentage of students of color for the past five cohorts is listed below and compared to the national mean:

- Class of 2022: 42%; National Mean: 17.1%
- Class of 2023: 39%; National Mean: 19.7%
- Class of 2024: 44%; National Mean: data no longer available
- Class of 2025: 56%; National Mean: data no longer available
- Class of 2026: 52%; National Mean: data no longer available
- Class of 2027: 45%; National Mean: data no longer available

Foster the value of service to the community and the profession

Students are required to participate in a wide range of community service activities, and many surpass the minimum requirements. Program faculty demonstrate the importance of community service and to the profession in various capacities on the local, state, and national levels.

Goal #4: Students will have completed at least 30 hours of community service by program completion.

Outcome: The Class of 2025 completed over 8,976 hours of community service, ranging from 30 to 7,351 hours and a mean of 204.7 hours

Program Competencies

Rutgers PA Program Competencies 2025

In the following domains, a graduate from the Rutgers PA Program will be able to:

Clinical and technical skills

(1a) Demonstrate humanistic care responsive to patient diversity
(1b) Gather information about a patient and their health status through history taking
(1c) Perform a clinically relevant physical examination
(1d) Perform basic medical procedures

Medical knowledge

(2) Demonstrate core knowledge of biomedical, social, behavioral, and clinical sciences fundamental to patient care

Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities

(3a) Synthesize essential patient information to make clinical decisions
(3b) Develop patient management plans
(3c) Recognize system-based determinants influencing healthcare decisions
(3d) Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies to apply to patient conditions
(3e) Demonstrate engagement in critical analysis of one’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes to improve practice

Interpersonal skills

(4a) Communicate effectively with patients and/or their companions
(4b) Communicate effectively with other health professionals

Professional behaviors

(5a) Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities
(5b) Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision of care

References:

Englander R, Cameron T, Ballard AJ, Dodge J, Bull J, Aschenbrener CA. Toward a common taxonomy of competency domains for the health professions and competencies for physicians. Acad Med. 2013;88(8):1088-1094. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23807109

Obeso V, Brown D, Aiyer M, Barron B, Bull J, Carter T, Emery M, Gillespie C, Hormann M, Hyderi A, Lupi C, Schwartz M, Uthman M, Vasilevskis EE, Yingling S, Phillipi C, eds.; for Core EPAs for Entering Residency Pilot Program. Toolkits for the 13 Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency. Washington, DC: Association of American Medical Colleges; 2017. https://www.aamc.org/what-we-do/mission-areas/medical-education/cbme/core-epas/publications

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). (effective: July 1, 2023). ACGME Common Program Requirements (Residency), pages 20 – 24. Retrieved September 4, 2024, from https://www.acgme.org/globalassets/pfassets/programrequirements/cprresidency_2023.pdf

Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). (September 7, 2019). Core Competencies for New Physician Assistant Graduates. Retrieved September 4, 2024, from https://paeaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/core-competencies-for-new-pa-grads-097119.pdf

Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). (June 5, 2020). Competencies for the PA Profession. Retrieved September 4, 2024, from https://paeaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/competencies-for-the-pa-profession-2020605.pdf

Effective January 1, 2025

Commitment to Inclusion

The Rutgers University Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and enriching learning environment for students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

We recognize inclusion as a fundamental aspect of the human experience—embracing, but not limited to, differences in race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, national origin, gender, age, religious belief, and sexual orientation. Our mission is to promote a culture of inclusion, equity, and excellence through our policies, educational practices, and community engagement.

The Physician Assistant Program is located at 675 Hoes Lane West, 6th Floor, Piscataway NJ 08854. Please contact us by phone: (732) 235-4445 or email: pa-info@shp.rutgers.edu.

Admission Criteria

The application for Fall 2027 entry will open on Thursday, April 30, 2026 on CASPA.

Complete and verified applications for Fall 2027 entry are due on August 1st, 2026 11:59PM EST. We strongly recommend applicants to contact the program no later than Wednesday, July 29th with any inquires which need to be addressed prior to the deadline.

Admission to the PA program is extremely competitive, with over 1,600 applications for 50 seats. Our admissions team reviews each application and chooses the most competitive applicants for an interview.

Rutgers PA program is excited to offer prospective applicants a tool to use while preparing to apply to various PA programs. Please click here to access our PA Program Comparison Worksheet. This will help you organize your notes regarding different admissions requirements for each school.

Please click here to view the Rutgers- Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Technical Standards for Admission, Progression and Graduation.

There are two routes into the Physician Assistant program

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation to the PA program and who have completed prerequisite courses are eligible to apply into the Master’s program. The majority of our applicants apply with a bachelor’s degree either completed or in progress. Competitive applicants will have earned their bachelor’s degree and completed prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution. Click here to determine if your school has accreditation from a regional accrediting body (select ‘Regional Accrediting Organization’ under Accreditor Type in the search)
There is an accelerated 3+3 option for students who are already enrolled in one of our matriculated institutions. Please see the 3+3 section for more information

Screening Committee Considerations

When initially screening applications, the committee looks for evidence of:

Ability to handle a rigorous science course load (previous coursework and GPA), with an emphasis on the last 24 science credits
Prior direct patient care experience
Familiarity with the PA profession through work experience or in-person PA shadowing
A commitment to community service

Additional consideration is given to the following groups: first generation status, economically disadvantaged, and those that speak second languages

GPA Requirement

Generally, a cumulative overall and science GPA of 3.2 is required. On a limited basis, exceptions may made if an applicant’s last 24 science credits are 3.2 or higher. Applicants with an overall or science (including math) GPA of less than 3.2 must submit a Letter of Explanation in the designated upload area of the CASPA portal that describes the circumstances of their academic performance to be considered for further review.

Interviews

Applicant interviews are conducted from June through December. The interview will serve to identify qualities such as:

Communication skills and general interpersonal skills
Maturity and motivation
Understanding of the PA role and how it fits into the applicant’s career goals

Once the interview process is complete and the class is selected, some applicants may be offered a place on our waiting list.

Admissions for Traditional Applicants

Application Process

The 2026-2027 admissions cycle, for Fall 2027 entry, is open on CASPA: caspa.cas.myliaison.com.

Applications for Fall 2027 entry must be complete and verified by CASPA by August 1, 2026. As per the CASPA website, it is suggested that applicants complete their application in CASPA 6-8 weeks prior to the program’s deadline to ensure that they meet the deadline. Please use the CASPA Quick Start Guide for more information regarding complete versus verified applications.
A complete application includes three letters of recommendation, all supporting materials (including all post-secondary transcripts), and a supplemental fee. Once the application is marked complete by CASPA, it must be verified by CASPA prior to the application being sent to the PA Program for review. The program does not make exceptions for applications completed, but not verified by the deadline; applicants are encouraged to submit their application based on CASPA’s guidelines.

Please note that the $50 supplemental application fee is non-refundable.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants are required to complete all prerequisite coursework and earn a letter grade of C or better by the end of the spring semester prior to their start of the program. It is preferable that applicants complete all the required prerequisites prior to applying to the program; however, applicants with incomplete prerequisites may apply. Competitive applicants will not have more than two outstanding science prerequisite courses at the time of application submission. Applicants with outstanding prerequisites must state how they will satisfy the prerequisites by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of the program.

We accept CLEP credit for our General Psychology (CLEP course: Introductory Psychology) and English Composition (CLEP course: College
Composition). Applicants must earn a score of 50 or higher for credit.

Please click here to view our guidelines for prerequisite coursework.

Course Prerequisites for the 2026-2027 Admissions Cycle:

General Psychology (3 credits)
English Composition (3 credits)
Statistics (Preferably Applied Statistics or Biostatistics from the Psychology, Biology or Math Depts.) (3 credits)
Human Anatomy (3-4 credits)*
Physiology (3-4 credits)*
Microbiology (3-4 credits)
Biochemistry (3 credits)
Additional upper-level biology coursework (6-8 credits)

* Applicants may either take Human Anatomy and Physiology as two separate subjects or take a two-semester sequence of Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II.

Please click here for additional examples of courses that may fulfill our additional upper-level biology requirement.

If an applicant has not taken any coursework within the previous 10 years, refresher courses, specifically in the biological sciences, are recommended. When considering which courses to choose, we suggest the following: genetics, microbiology, immunology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

Essay

A well written, grammatically correct essay is expected. The personal narrative is the applicant’s opportunity to share background information that is not readily evident in other sections of the CASPA application. Individuals are encouraged to discuss any of the following that might apply:

Motivation to become a PA
Unique experiences, hobbies, or passions that shaped their life
Change of profession or military experience
Success in overcoming adversity
Experience leadership roles or teamwork
Positive attributes they bring to the PA program and, ultimately the PA profession

Letters of Recommendation

Three Recommendation Forms must be completed through CASPA. Applicants should seek recommendations from individuals who are thoroughly familiar with their academic ability, their work ethic and professionalism, and their general characteristics. Examples may be an instructor, a previous employer or volunteer supervisor, a community leader, etc. Many of our more highly competitive applicants have recommendations by healthcare providers such as physicians and PAs.

Patient Contact Experience

Patient contact experience is required. The program has not established a minimum number of hours of health care experience, but the most competitive applicants will be able to document experience working directly with patients. Examples of the types of experiences that are recommended include, but are not limited to, medical assistants, nursing assistants/aides, nurses, EMTs, patient care technicians, physical therapy assistants, and hospice volunteers.

PA Shadowing

It is important that applicants spend time with PAs to ensure a sufficient understanding of the PA role in the delivery of healthcare. Therefore, applicants to the PA Program must be able to demonstrate familiarity with the PA profession through direct experience, which is best done through shadowing.

There are no minimum-hour requirements for healthcare experience, patient care experience, PA shadowing, or volunteer work. The objective of accruing hours is not necessarily to obtain specific skills, but rather to ensure the applicant has had adequate exposure to healthcare, patients, and the role of the PA. When the Admissions Committee considers volunteer work, we seek applicants who have shown consistent commitment to serving the community. To get an idea of the number of hours accrued by the most competitive applicants, please refer to the FAQ section to view the data from one of our recent matriculated classes.

Transfer Credits and Advanced Placement

Limited transfer credit for graduate-level coursework may be considered on a case-by-case basis after an offer of admission has been extended, and only to determine course equivalency.

Advanced standing and accelerated placement are not offered under any circumstances, regardless of academic standing, proximity to program completion, or extenuating circumstances.

Domestic Students who Studied Abroad

Please see the following guidelines for applicants who attend(ed) a U.S. institution, and studied abroad for one or more semesters:

The following situations do not require a foreign transcript evaluation:

The transcript student’s home institution includes the grades and credits from each course taken during the semester abroad.
The student took fewer than 3 non-prerequisite science courses while studying abroad.

Foreign transcript evaluations are required if one or both circumstances are met:

The student took a science prerequisite course while studying abroad.
The student took 2 or more semesters abroad.

The following circumstance is handled on a case-by-case basis:

The student took 3 or more non-prerequisite science courses while studying abroad.

International Students:

Rutgers PA program accepts the TOEFL iBT Test. TOEFL Essentials will not be acceptable.

Please click here to view the PA program’s TOEFL Policy.

All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an evaluation agency and submitted to Rutgers University PA Program in support of your application. Applicants may use any agency that is recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (hyperlink: https://www.naces.org/members). World Education Services, Inc. is recommended.

As per the CASPA Applicant Help Center, some Canadian schools do not require a foreign transcript evaluation. Please click here for further guidance.

Joint Master of Science/Master of Public Health program

In addition the the criteria listed in the Admissions for those with a Baccalaureate Degree (above), applicants must also complete the criteria below for the MS/MPH. The program allows students to complete both their graduate Physician Assistant studies and Master of Public Health degree in four years (including summers).

Students must apply to both programs separately and gain admission to both programs.
Applicants should contact the MPH program to determine if they are required to submit GRE scores with their application.
Students accepted into this dual-degree track would attend the Physician Assistant program part-time for two years, while attending the MPH program part-time.
During the third and fourth years, students attend the Physician Assistant program full-time and complete their fieldwork for the MS and MPH. There are multiple concentrations available for MPH students to choose from. Please contact the School of Public Health for more information.
Students may begin this program in the summer prior to beginning the Physician Assistant program or in the first fall semester.
In addition to applying to CASPA, you must also apply to the School of Public Health through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS)

3+3 Program - Rutgers NB SAS and NJIT

Undergraduates in partner schools have an opportunity to enter the PA Program prior to earning a Bachelor’s degree. Designed as “3+3” program, the first three years are spent as an undergraduate at a partner school, and the last three years are spent in graduate school in the PA Program.

Rutgers Physician Assistant program accepts 3+3 applications from the following institutions: Rutgers University SAS-NB and New Jersey Institute of Technology. Rutgers University SAS-NB should contact the Health Professions Office for more information.

Attention Rutgers-SAS 3+3 applicants: As per the Degree Tracking Sheet on the 3+3 application, you are required to obtain a signature from your 3+3 Advisor from the Health Professions Office. Therefore, you should contact the Health Professions Office to schedule a meeting with Dr. Elizabeth Vogel to discuss the application process: hpo@dls.rutgers.edu.

3+3 applicants:

3+3 applicants apply to Rutgers PA program in the summer before their junior year using CASPA, which opens in April each year. The opening date for the 2026-2027 application cycle, for Fall 2027 entry, will open on April 30, 2026. The deadline for complete and verified applications is August 1, 2026.
All 3+3 students are encouraged to apply to the CASPA Fee Assistance Program.
3+3 applicants will follow the same instructions as traditional applicants, with up to two exceptions:
1. All 3+3 applicants are required to submit a signed Degree Tracking Sheet to the Documents section in CASPA. Instructions are included in the CASPA application portal.
2. 3+3 applicants who took the SAT and/or ACT must submit their official score reports to the Documents section in CASPA. Instructions are included in the CASPA application portal.

Within the supplemental application, there is a question that asks if the applicant is a 3+3 applicant. It is essential that 3+3 applicants answer “yes” to this question.

Competitive applicants will be selected to interview. Applicants who are accepted after the interview have the following contingencies: minimum 3.2 GPA, meets all requirements for the undergraduate degree before the beginning of the fourth year, and completion of all prerequisite coursework by the end of their spring semester of junior year.
Following junior year, accepted 3+3 students start their first year of the PA program in August. 3+3 students transfer credits to their undergraduate institution after they complete the first year of the PA program to accumulate enough credits to graduate with their baccalaureate degree.

Course Prerequisites for the 2026-2027 Admissions Cycle:

General Psychology (3 credits)
English Composition (3 credits)
Statistics (Preferably Applied Statistics or Biostatistics from the Psychology, Biology or Math Depts.) (3 credits)
Human Anatomy (3-4 credits)*^
Physiology (3-4 credits)*^
Microbiology (3-4 credits)
Biochemistry (3 credits)
Additional upper-level biology coursework (6-8 credits)

Please click here for additional examples of courses that may fulfill our additional upper-level biology requirement.

* Applicants may either take Human Anatomy and Physiology as two separate subjects or take a two-semester sequence of Anatomy &
Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II.

^Rutgers New Brunswick School of Arts & Sciences 3+3 applicants only: As per the PA program’s agreement with Rutgers-NB SAS, 01:119:116 General Biology II will fulfill the Physiology requirement if the applicant takes a separate Human Anatomy course.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are determined per year for New Jersey residents and nonresidents. The Rutgers Board of Governors approves the university’s tuition and fee rates for the next academic year in early July. There are mandatory University fees, as well as additional fees including, but not limited to, books and equipment expenses. The University reserves the right to change its fee schedule without notice.

Please see Cost of Attendance. Scroll down to School of Health Professions, Physician Assistant – Master’s.

Total program credits: 114.

Curriculum

We believe our 33-month didactic and clinical curriculum prepares students to be highly functioning physician assistants. The first three semesters of the program focus on basic science and clinical science courses, such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics and pathology, while the final three semesters provide students with extensive clinical experiences in areas such as ambulatory care, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, emergency care and medical sub-specialties.

Elective rotations in the final semester allows students to choose from a wide variety of disciplines such as cardiology, infectious disease, dermatology, or gastroenterology.

Students are closely supervised by licensed physicians, PAs, and other health care providers. Classes are during the day on the Busch campus in Piscataway. The majority of clinical rotations take place in New Jersey and New York.

Curriculum for M.S. Physician Assistant

Curriculum for part-Time M.S. Physician Assistant

Curriculum for MSPA and Masters in Public Health

Please click here to view the Rutgers- Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Technical Standards for Admission, Progression and Graduation.

State Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosure:
The Rutgers School of Health Professions MS Physician Assistant meets the professional licensing requirements of the following states: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, PR

Students & Alumni

Calling All PA Program Alumni!

Stay Connected, Stay Inspired! As a proud member of our alumni community, your journey with us doesn’t end at graduation. Whether you’re advancing in your career, pursuing new passions, or giving back to the next generation, we want to hear from you!
Stay in touch to access exclusive networking opportunities, career resources, and alumni events that keep you linked to the heart of our school.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About the Program

Does the program offer Information Sessions or campus tours?

We schedule two Information Sessions per year and we participate in two Open Houses per year. We highly encourage prospective students to attend one of these sessions or open houses. We will post the dates of our events on our website as soon as we determine them. We provide campus tours to applicants during the interview session.

Who can I speak with regarding my interest in the Program?

We ask prospective applicants to thoroughly review the program website and the FAQs, which will answer most of the commonly asked questions. If you still have specific questions after the website review, you may call the program 732-235-4445 and make an appointment to speak to a member of the faculty prior to applying to the program.

How many applications do you receive annually and how many applicants are interviewed?

We typically receive over 1,600 applications and interview up to 300 applicants for 50 seats each year.

Does Rutgers PA program use semester hours or quarter credits?

Rutgers PA program uses semester hours. Courses that were completed in quarter hours are converted to semester hours. The conversion ratio is 1.0 quarter hour = 0.667 semester hours.

For example, a 4.5 quarter credit course is equivalent to 3 semester hours. Click here to learn more.

Do you require GRE scores to apply to the Master of Science Program?

The PA program does not require GREs. However, if GRE scores are reported in the CASPA application, the Admissions Committee will consider them in their holistic evaluation of the application.

Do you require GRE scores for the joint MS/MPH option?

If you are applying to joint Master of Science/Master of Public Health (MS/MPH) option, GRE scores may be required for the Public Health application. Scores must be submitted with your MPH application to the Rutgers University School of Public Health.

Do you accept applications from individuals with medical degrees outside of the US (Foreign Medical Graduates), and is there an accelerated curriculum for such individuals?

Anyone is welcome to apply to the PA Program. The application process and required coursework within the program is the same for all applicants, regardless of prior academic or work experience. There is no advanced standing for foreign medical graduates.

Do you consider an application if a candidate's overall or science (including math) GPA is under the required 3.2 (based on a 4.0 scale)?

On a limited basis, exceptions may be made to the minimum 3.2 for overall and science GPA if an applicant’s last 24 science credits are 3.2 or higher.

Applicants with a science and/or overall GPA of less than 3.2 must submit a letter of explanation in the designated upload area of the CASPA portal surrounding the circumstances of their academic performance if they want to be considered for further review.

My science and overall GPA is over the 3.2 minimum but it’s still a little low. Should I submit a letter of explanation about my grades?

If your GPA is just above our minimum GPA requirement, then we encourage but do not require you to share the circumstances that surround your academic history. This is an opportunity to provide the Admissions Committee with additional information about your candidacy. We do require the letter.

Do you offer advanced standing or accelerated placement for applicants with prior PA coursework?

No. Advanced standing and accelerated placement are not offered under any circumstances, regardless of academic standing, proximity to program completion, or extenuating circumstances.

Are any transfer credits accepted?

Limited transfer credit for graduate-level coursework may be considered on a case-by-case basis after an offer of admission has been extended, and only to determine course equivalency.

Does your program give preference to NJ residents?

No. While many of the applicants are New Jersey residents, we seek the most competitive applicants from throughout the United States.

Will your program allow an applicant to submit AP credits to fulfill the prerequisite requirements?

Yes, applicants can use AP credit to fulfill the following prerequisite requirements if they received credit from their undergraduate institution for their AP exams: General Psychology, English Composition, and Statistics.

Do you accept prerequisite coursework that was pass/fail?

Please view our guidelines for prerequisite coursework

Application Process

What is the deadline for application submission?

Applications for Fall entry must be complete and verified by CASPA by August 1st of the prior year.

As per the CASPA website, it is suggested that applicants complete their application in CASPA 6-8 weeks prior to the program’s deadline to ensure that they meet the August 1st deadline. Please use the CASPA Quick Start Guide for more information regarding complete versus verified applications.

A complete application includes three letters of recommendation, all supporting materials (including all post-secondary transcripts), and a $50 supplemental fee. Once the application is marked complete by CASPA, it must be verified by CASPA prior to the application being sent to the PA Program for review.

The program does not make exceptions for applications completed, but not verified by the deadline; applicants are encouraged to submit their application based on CASPA’s guidelines.

Preparation for Applying to PA School

What is the single, most important component of the application?

There is no one “thing.” We practice holistic admissions, which means that we look at all aspects of the application that demonstrate that the applicant is well-rounded. We do our best to consider an applicant’s capability to thrive academically. In addition, we assess how his/her background and professional goals align with our program’s mission and core values. The most competitive applicants have a high GPA, strong science background, quality patient care experience, and evidence of serving their community, ideally in a leadership capacity.

I’ve worked in an unrelated field for years and am considering a career change. How do you view this?

We accept applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences, provided they demonstrate strong science course work and meet our other requirements. We have students who enrolled in the program directly from their undergraduate studies but we also have students who are on their second and even third career.

Will you consider applicants with non-science majors?

Yes, we consider every applicant who meets our minimum requirements. When reviewing the academic preparation section of the application, the Admissions Committee considers the number and rigor of science courses the applicant took and the grades the applicant earned in those courses.

I am an undergraduate student and I work full-time. Does it make a difference if I take one class per semester versus several classes in a single semester?

While enrolled in the didactic part of the PA Program curriculum, matriculated students take a minimum of 18 credits of graduate level science each semester. Therefore, the most competitive applicants have an academic history of achieving high grades while taking several upper level classes at the same time. The Admissions Committee suggests that prospective students take more than one science class at a time to prepare for the academic rigor of the program.

Should I re-take a science pre-requisite course if I earned a C in the course the first time?

We accept the grade of a C. While retaking the course will improve your GPA, what you demonstrate is that you can achieve a high grade by taking the course twice. Another option is to take other upper level science courses and perform well to show the admissions committee that you can achieve a good grade in upper level science courses on the first try.

Do you accept pre-requisite/ science courses taken at a community college?

Yes. But our most competitive applicants have taken most/all of their science coursework at an accredited 4-year university.

Do you accept projected or future patient care experience (PCE) hours?

No. We only consider patient care experience (PCE) hours that have been completed at the time of application submission.

While applicants may continue gaining experience after applying, projected or future hours are not included in the admissions review. Applicants are welcome to submit updates via email while their application is under consideration.

Is there a minimum hour requirement for PA shadowing, health-related experience, patient care experience, or volunteering?

There are no minimum-hour requirements for these categories. The objective of accruing hours is not necessarily to obtain specific skills, but rather to ensure the applicant has had adequate exposure to healthcare, patients, and the role of the PA. When the Admissions Committee considers volunteer work, we seek applicants who have shown consistent commitment to serving the community.

To get an idea of the number of hours accrued by the most competitive applicants, please view the table below for data of a recent class of matriculated students. Note that the quantity of hours is evaluated with the quality of hours, and that these components are just part of the application which undergoes a holistic evaluation process.

Class of 2020

	Health Related Experience	Patient Care Experience	Shadowing Experience	Volunteer
Minimum	54	40	8	8
Maximum	12,928	4,170	2,480	5,520
Median	576	972	93.5	306

What does the Rutgers PA Program view as the “best” patient care experience?

The program requires patient care hours to ensure that the applicant is familiar with what it is like to care for patients. The Admissions Committee considers direct hands-on experience to be more desirable; for example, an EMT is more hands-on exposure than a transport volunteer.

Do you consider being a “scribe” as direct patient care?

It depends on the tasks that the scribe performed. The Admissions Committee would not consider scribing to be direct patient care if the scribe is simply transcribing the history that another provider elicited. It is the applicant’s responsibility to fully explain their role for each health care experience so that the Admissions Committee can make an informed assessment.

What kind of PA shadowing does the Rutgers PA Program prefer?

It is important that applicants demonstrate an understanding of the PA role. This can be accomplished either by working alongside a PA in a clinical setting or via shadowing. Ideally, shadowing of PAs in various specialties would provide the applicant with a breadth of experiences.

The Admissions Committee also considers the applicant’s background in relation to the PAs that he/she shadows. For example, if the applicant’s patient care hours are as a physical therapy aide, he/she would be a stronger applicant if he/she shadowed a PA who works in a field other than orthopedics.

If my patient care/ health care related hours were volunteer, do they count toward community service?

One of the core values of the Rutgers PA Program is selflessly giving back to the community. The most competitive applicants are those who demonstrate consistent involvement within their community, not only for their own accumulation of medical experience, but rather for the good of their community.

Do you accept science coursework completed more than 10 years ago?

We do accept coursework completed more than 10 years ago but there are a few reasons why it is recommended to update your knowledge with more recent information. First, recent coursework demonstrates an applicant’s current aptitude to excel in rigorous science courses which is particularly helpful for those applicants whose past GPA and performance do not reflect their highest academic potential.

Second, scientific information changes over time. Enrolling in courses that are more current helps to prepare applicants for the rigorous basic science year where baseline knowledge is expected upon entry into the program. When considering which courses to choose, we suggest the following: genetics, microbiology, immunology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

Will your program accept prerequisite coursework that was completed online?

We will accept online prerequisite coursework that is from a regionally-accredited institution. Please click here to check your school’s accreditation status: (select ‘Regional Accrediting Organizations’ under ‘Accreditor Type’).

Declined Applicants

I have been unsuccessful in gaining admission. How can I improve my application?

We wish that we could take every qualified applicant but unfortunately, with only 50 seats and up to 1,600 applications each year, we cannot accept everyone who meets our requirements. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

Complete our Applicant Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
Review the GPA, patient care, PA shadowing, and volunteerism information about our accepted class (in Preparing to Apply section above).
To improve your GPA, consider taking upper level science courses, preferably at a 4-year university.
Consider the quantity, quality, and variation of your hands-on patient care experience.
Consider doing more to serve your community if you have limited non-medical volunteerism.
Consider applying to more PA programs for the next admissions cycle to increase your chance of being accepted to one.
If you choose to reapply to our program for the next admissions cycle:
- Reflect on the Applicant Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
- Update your application including your essay, new letters of recommendation, etc.
- Make it clear to the Admissions Committee what you have done to improve your application from the prior year.
- Review our website again. We reserve the right to change our admissions criteria from year to year.

Financial Aid and Tuition

What financial aid is available?

Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) awards several scholarships. By completing the SHP Online General Scholarship Application, applicants are considered for each of the scholarships which they are deemed eligible for. Some scholarships may require an additional personal statement (i.e. SHP Alumni Association Military/Veteran Appreciation scholarship and the PA Judith Yannariello scholarship). Click here to learn more about scholarship opportunities within SHP.

There are also external scholarships available including, but not limited to: PA Foundation Scholarships (through AAPA), National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program, Indian Health Service Scholarship Program and scholarships through the armed services. As students approach graduation, there are loan redemption/loan forgiveness programs available through the NHSC and Primary Care Loan Redemption Programs.

Many scholarships are based on financial need and it is highly recommended that applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please contact Rutgers Office of Financial Aid for more information: (732) 235-4689

What is the procedure to apply for NJ Residency?

Students who are interested in applying for resident status can find the policy and application here.

Is a tuition deposit required at the time of admission?

Yes. Accepted students will receive instructions how to formally accept their seat in the class, which includes a non-refundable $700 tuition deposit. This deposit is required for students who plan to request a deferment (see policy here).

Program and Curriculum

What is the class size?

The class size is 50.

Why is the program 33 months in length?

It is important for our applicants to understand that the Rutgers PA Program does not spread out a typical 24-27 month PA curriculum over 33 months. We have a very rigorous curriculum. Our program offers extensive basic science coursework over the first year, which we believe prepares our graduates well for clinical practice. Other reasons for a robust 33-month program include longer rotations for some specialties and vacation time during both the didactic and clinical phases.

Are classes taken with medical students?

Most classes are for only physician assistant students, provided by doctorally-prepared scientists and clinical experts (physicians, PAs, etc.) in their medical specialty. In addition, students participate in interprofessional education groups including medical students, and students from nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and other health professions.

Do I need to complete a thesis?

Students do not complete a thesis. They are required to prepare an evidence-based medical literature review on a topic of interest.

What are the academic standards of the PA Program?

Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA as follows:

2.5 at 25% of program completion (end of 1st year Spring semester curriculum)
2.7 at 50% of program completion (end of 2nd year Fall semester curriculum)
3.0 at 75% of program completion (end of Clerkship

Are students required to identify, provide, or solicit clinical sites or preceptors for any required supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs)?

No, this is not a requirement. Students may not contact a potential or prospective preceptor for an individually arranged clinical rotation without prior approval from the program.

Can students remain employed while in the program?

Due to the demanding nature of the program, we strongly discourage full-time students from maintaining employment.

Can students attend your program part-time? Can part-time students maintain employment?

Students can attend the program on a part-time basis for the first two years, and then they must become full-time students for the following two years. Students can work while they are enrolled in the program part-time, however, it is important to note that classes are offered during typical work-day hours and schedules vary from semester to semester.

Student Resources

Do you have mentoring or tutoring programs?

Our program offers academic tutoring, cognitive skills instruction, and confidential behavioral health counseling at no cost to the student. Upon the start of the program, we match first-year students with second-year students, who serve as peer mentors.

Is housing available on campus?

Please click here to learn more about campus housing. We facilitate connections among incoming students through a private Facebook group designed to support networking and peer-to-peer housing coordination.

Where can I find more information about disability services?

Please click here to learn more about disability services at School of Health Professions or call: 973-972-5396

Other Policies and Procedures

Are students required to have reliable personal transportation?

Yes, participation is required in many off-campus activities. In addition, many of our clinical sites are not accessible by public transportation. All students must have reliable personal transportation.

Recruitment & Events

Virtual Information Sessions

Rutgers PA program typically hosts two virtual information sessions per year, in March and October. Please check back here for information session dates.

Join us at our next Information Session