School of Health Sciences & Education
Physician Assistant Science Graduate Admissions
Starting the MPAS as a Graduate Student
Saint Francis University's Master of Physician Assistant Science program accepts a limited number of graduate students into the program each year. Applications from candidates holding a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree with the necessary prerequisite coursework will be reviewed based on space availability and the quality of the applicant.
CURRICULUM & COURSES
What You’ll Learn in the PA Program
As a leading educator of physician assistant science, our courses are arranged for role concept and knowledge base development. Your educational experience has been built to meet the high standards that the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) outlines. These standards encourage excellence in PA education and drive results for our graduates.
Relevant Links:
Please note program policies apply to all students, principal faculty, and the program director, regardless of location.
Graduate PA Path:
| Degree Path | Description | Course Catalog | Plan of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
Master of Physician Assistant Science | Applicants with a baccalaureate degree are eligible for the graduate-entry admission pathway | Plan of Study |
Program Goals & Outcomes
Graduates of the SFU PA degree program will be able to provide the following services in a professional manner that is compassionate, competent, and efficient:
Medical Knowledge:
Goal Statement:
Graduates will possess comprehensive medical knowledge to provide competent, comprehensive health care by applying biomedical and clinical sciences through analytic and investigatory thinking to accurately diagnose and manage common medical conditions using evidence-based practices.
Outcomes:
- 94% of the MPAS class of 2025 passed the PANCE on their first attempt
- Students in the 2025 cohort participated in at least 60 hours of critical thinking and simulation sessions throughout the didactic year
Clinical and Technical Skills:
Goal Statement:
Graduates will provide ethical, compassionate, and collaborative clinical care across diverse populations by demonstrating proficiency in clinical procedures and technical skills, while applying strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities to deliver equitable, efficient, patient-centered care.
Outcomes:
- 100% of the 2025 cohort passed the summative OSCE, with 96% earning a passing grade on their first attempt
- All graduates demonstrated competence in a number of clinical tasks, including interpretation of imaging, lab findings, rhythm strips and EKGs; administration of injections; placement of sutures; and performing pelvic and breast exams
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
Goal Statement:
Graduates will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively exchange information with patients, families, physicians, and other health professionals by communicating clearly to support understanding and adherence to treatment plans and collaborating with healthcare teams through concise verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
Outcomes:
- All graduates completed research-based Master’s Capstone project and presented their findings
- Each student developed a sound foundation in medical documentation by composing 10 SOAP notes and 5 hospital admission notes from actual patient encounters during their didactic year
Professionalism:
Goal Statement:
Graduates will demonstrate the academic and professional skills, attributes, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to function as physician assistants by adhering to professional standards in patient care and professional interactions while applying knowledge of health policies and delivery systems to address and lead community and professional challenges in the service of the Franciscan tradition.
Outcomes:
- All graduates successfully completed PA 401: Introduction to U.S. Health Care which provides instruction in health policies and delivery systems
- 96% of 2025 graduates achieved ratings of good or excellent on professionalism from their preceptors during the clinical year
- All graduates completed at least 25 hours of community service during the didactic year
Program Competencies
Upon successful completion of all components of the Saint Francis University PA Program curriculum and conferral of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree by the university, graduates will be equipped to demonstrate the following competencies:
Medical Knowledge:
Apply knowledge of disease mechanisms, risk factors, and pathophysiology to recognize clinical presentations, interpret screening and diagnostic studies, and develop evidence-based treatment plans that promote health maintenance and disease prevention.
Clinical and Technical Skills:
Perform comprehensive medical histories and physical examinations, carry out technical clinical procedures, and accurately document patient encounters in the medical record.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
Demonstrate effective, respectful communication with patients and collaborate with healthcare professionals to obtain and share information and provide patient-centered care.
Professionalism:
Exhibit professionalism through respectful patient interactions, appropriate communication throughout clinical encounters, and effective engagement within diverse healthcare systems and practice settings.
MPAS Graduate Admissions Requirements
Eligible students holding an earned baccalaureate degree (by program start date), with the necessary prerequisite coursework (see #6 below) may be admitted to the Master of Physician Assistant Science program based on space availability. Selection for a seat in the 2-year graduate program is highly competitive.
To be considered for admission to the next academic year, an applicant must complete the Centralized Application Process through CASPA between April 2026 and no later than August 1, 2026. Applying early is highly encouraged. CASPA interview dates are October 2026 and November 2026.
Questions about 2-year Graduate PA admissions may be directed to:
Stephanie Eckenrode
814-472-3136
seckenrode@francis.edu
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for Graduate Admission are required to submit all of the following directly to CASPA in order to be considered for admission:
- A completed Application Form (via CASPA) by August 1.
- Evidence of either a completed bachelor's degree or the ability to obtain one prior to matriculation from a fully accredited institution.
- Official transcripts from each college/university attended indicating an overall Cumulative GPA of 3.2 and a Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (including international and professional coursework).
- Evidence of 100 hours of non-paid health care experience.
- At least 40 of the required hours must be spent shadowing a physician assistant in clinical practice.
- Of the remaining 60 hours:
- There is no limit to the number spent shadowing a PA, MD/DO, Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse Midwife.
- There is no limit to the number of hours spent working as an EMT, paramedic, or military medic/hospital corpsman.
- A maximum of 20 hours may be spent working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, shadowing an athletic trainer, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or EMS professional.
- A maximum of 10 hours may be spent shadowing a registered nurse (RN), working as a scribe, or working at a camp for a special needs population.
Demonstrated health care experience must be outside of earned academic credit.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Prerequisite courses:
- Chemistry - 2 courses with labs, 8 credits
- Human Anatomy & Physiology - 2 courses with labs, 8 credits
- Microbiology - 1 course with lab, 4 credits
- Psychology - 1 course, 3 credits
- Medical Terminology - 1 course, 1-3 credits
- Statistics or Upper-Level Math - 1 course, 3 credits
Please note that it is beneficial to have completed at least five of the eight prerequisite courses prior to applying. Any prerequisite course not completed before the interview must be completed prior to the beginning of the didactic year with a grade of “B” or better. All courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college/university.
International Applicant Requirements
International students must complete the following steps in addition to all of the regular requirements necessary to apply for admission:
- Secondary/high school transcripts and bachelor's degree transcripts must be evaluated by an international credential evaluating agency (SpanTran or a NACES member institutions). All transcripts must be from an accredited institution.
- Foreign transcript evaluation(s) must be submitted with your application.
- International students whose native language is not English MUST submit proof of English language proficiency. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTs or iTEP exam scores must be submitted.
- Please note that students who have received a baccalaureate degree in the United States are exempt from this requirement. Applicants required to take a language proficiency exam must have a minimum of one of the following:
- IELTS score of 7.0
- TOEFL scores of 102 on iBT or 607 on PBT
Regardless of citizenship, international applicants – as well as immigrants to the U.S. and U.S. permanent residents – whose native language is not English, are required to submit current TOEFL scores. Please note, however, that students who have received a baccalaureate degree in the United States are exempt from this requirement.
Additional Admissions Information
Advanced Placement:
- The PA program does not grant any type of advanced placement for didactic or clinical courses.
Healthcare Experience versus Patientcare Experience:
- Healthcare experience is defined as, "Both paid and unpaid work in a health or health-related field where you are not directly responsible for a patient's care, but may still have patient interaction; for example, filling prescriptions, performing clerical work, delivering patient food, cleaning patients and or their rooms, administering food or medication, taking vitals or other record keeping information, working as a scribe, CNA, medical assistant, physical therapist, pharmacy tech and /or dental hygienist."
- Patientcare is defined as, "Experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient's care. For example, prescribing medication, performing procedures, directing a course of treatment, designing a treatment regimen, actively working on a patient as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, military medic, hospital corpsman, and/or foreign medically-trained physician."
Not Required:
- GRE
Virtual (online) labs:
- Virtual (online) labs taken after March 1, 2020, will be accepted.
Admissions Process
Once all supporting documentation has been received and verified through CASPA, the Saint Francis University PA Department will review the completed application using a standard scoring rubric. Factors influencing scores:
- Cumulative GPA Score, minimum 3.20
- Major Collateral Courses GPA, minimum 3.00
- Anatomy and Physiology GPA, minimum 2.66
- Healthcare Experience (amount and type)
- Major Coursework/Collateral Coursework within the past 5 years
- Essay Responses
- Quality of Recommendations
Applicants selected for the next stage of review will be invited to participate in an on-campus interview. Interviews are typically conducted in October, November, and December every year. Because admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the cycle and schedule one of the earlier interview dates.
The on-campus interview process includes two individual faculty interviews, a group exercise, and a writing sample. The interview provides applicants with an opportunity to further discuss their qualifications and experiences. Interviewers assess professionalism, maturity, personal initiative, understanding of the physician assistant role, and communication skills.
Following the on-campus interview, applicants will be notified of an admissions decision: acceptance, waitlist, or denial.
The program does not give preference to any specific group of applicants.
For accepted applicants, the academic year will begin in May 2026.
Cost
The cost to pursue the Physician Assistant degree at Saint Francis University:
Students enrolling in the graduate (2 yr) pathway can reference the following detailed expense sheets related to program costs.
Financial aid is available to students in both degree paths; however, students in the graduate PA path primarily use loans to cover program expenses. Our Office of Financial Aid (814-472-3010) is available to assist students in researching financial aid options.
The type of housing available near Saint Francis University:
Saint Francis University is located in Loretto, PA. The cost of living in Loretto is lower than the national average, and the average rent is approximately $500.00 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment. Many students decrease their living expenses by sharing an apartment with a classmate.
Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Cresson, and Ebensburg are also cities in close proximity to Saint Francis University.
Saint Francis University Health Insurance plan information:
Saint Francis University values the health and well-being of its students. All full-time graduate students enrolled in the Physician Assistant program must have health insurance coverage. A Student Health Insurance Plan is available for those students who do not have current insurance coverage. All full-time students must participate in this insurance plan unless proof can be furnished that other similar insurance is carried by the student while they are attending Saint Francis University.