Physician Assistant Science, Master's Degree
School of Health Sciences & Education
Starting your MOT as an Undergraduate
The Master of Physician Assistant Science program at Saint Francis University is an accelerated program with the primary entry point being as a freshman. Students enroll as freshmen in the physician assistant (PA) major in one of two paths (Full or Provisional).
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.
Undergraduate PA Paths:
| Degree Path | Description | Course Catalog | Plan of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
Accelerated B.S. in Health Science leading to MPAS (3+2)
| Direct-entry MPAS with a max of 55 students admitted per cohort |
PA Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Application Deadline is November 17, 2025 for the Fall 2026 Cohort
The Physician Assistant Science (3+2) accelerated program is designed to provide three years of pre-professional study in which students will complete preparatory science courses, introduction to medicine classes, and all the components of our liberal arts education. The last two years of the program (graduate phase) consist of three didactic semesters and three clinical semesters. The didactic curriculum delivers content in an integrated holistic approach designed for the delivery of primary patient care. The clinical semesters begin in the summer and include 45 weeks of clinical rotations.
In the 3+2 accelerated program format, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree after successful completion of the fourth year, and a Master of Physician Assistant Science (MPAS) degree after successful completion of the fifth year. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume entry-level positions in a variety of diverse medical settings and sit for the national certifying exam.
Throughout the tenure of the program, all students must complete required health and background clearances, and demonstrate solid academic performance in order to maintain program progression.
Questions about the 3+2 accelerated format admissions process should be directed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
814-472-3100
admissions@francis.edu
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Undergraduate PA students must enroll as freshmen; transfer admission is not available. There are approximately 55 spaces available each year, therefore applicants should plan to apply early. The application process is highly competitive.
In addition to meeting the general University admission requirements, students should demonstrate academic excellence through factors such as high SAT/ACT scores, a high cumulative/core GPA from high school, and the completion of a rigorous high school curriculum. The accelerated format of the program requires students to demonstrate maturity, academic honesty and a proven dedication to a career in health care.
2026 Freshman Admission Requirements
Without Standardized Test Scores:
- HS Cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher out of 4.0
- Must have taken at least 3 years of science (including biology and chemistry), 4 years of math, and 4 years of English.
With Standardized Test Scores (Recommended):
- SAT of 1220 or higher or
- ACT of 25 or higher
- +HS Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0 All students who complete the undergraduate requirements and have met all progression standards automatically matriculate into the Masters (accredited) portion of the program.
Applicants must also be able to meet the Program Technical Standards.
Ideal candidates for admission to the accelerated program often complete a visit to campus to meet with admissions and our faculty, provide a resume of leadership and involvement and letters of recommendation from teachers, as well as communicate regularly with their assigned admissions counselor. Previous shadowing or clinical experience hours are preferable, but NOT required for admission.
Progression Standards
In order to ensure that patients receive the best medical care possible, the faculty of the Saint Francis Physician Assistant program has identified certain skills and professional behaviors that are essential for the successful progression of physician assistant students in the program. A student must possess skills and behaviors at a level of capability to perform a variety of duties required of a physician assistant as a health care professional.
Compliance with the following is required for progression in the MPAS program:
- Technical Standards
- Progressions Standards (Undergraduate, Didactic Year and Clinical Year)
- Professionalism requirements as outlined in the SFU PA program policy manual
Relevant Links:
Didactic and clinical year progression standards
2025-26 Departmental Policy Manual, Progression Standards and Technical Standards
Experienced PA faculty who love to teach
Our Physician Assistant faculty have expertise in both clinical practice and teaching. A true dedication to teaching future front-line workers is a passion among all our faculty. Our faculty have extensive backgrounds in family medicine, emergency medicine, orthopedics, pediatrics and psychiatry.
Department Chair/MPAS Program Director: Dr. Melissa Kagarise, DHSc, MMS, PA-C, mkagarise@francis.edu, 814.472.3135
FAQs About Undergraduate Programs
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Students enrolling in the Undergraduate (3+2) pathway can reference our tuition and fees 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.
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The direct-entry, 3+2 accelerated program for undergraduates enables students to apply after their junior year of high school. Applications and required materials are due in late Fall (usually November or December). Meeting the minimum criteria leads to acceptance in December, but acceptance alone doesn't secure a seat. Once accepted, securing seats depends on submitting tuition deposits in the order received. The program accepts a maximum of around 60 deposits, filling the program. Unsuccessful applicants, including new ones meeting requirements, move to a waitlist. As seats open, waitlisted students are invited to secure them through a monitored process.
Students not meeting direct-entry criteria could be accepted into the Interdisciplinary Health Care Studies program with a Pre-Physician Assistant Science concentration. This program readies students for a Physician Assistance Sciences master's program. It has its own admission criteria. Those not meeting them might still join the Interdisciplinary Health Care Studies program without the Pre-Physician Assistant Science concentration or another qualified allied health program like Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or Public Health.
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- Early exposure to medicine with Medical Terminology and Introduction to Medicine courses completed in your first three years of study. An arrangement of these introductory PA courses allows for role concept and knowledge base development, while providing a bridge to the physician assistant training curriculum in the last two years.
- Guaranteed progression in the major for all students meeting requirements.
- Completion of a strong liberal arts foundation.
- The SFU PA students work together, supporting each other along the way.
- Clinical experiences are built into the didactic year of physician assistant curriculum.
- We offer an integrated body system approach to medicine.
- We offer dedicated faculty and staff that go the extra mile to assist you in being successful.
- Many of our faculty continue to practice clinically.
Students enrolling in the Undergraduate (3+2) pathway can reference our tuition and fees 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 direct-entry, 3+2 accelerated program for undergraduates enables students to apply after their junior year of high school. Applications and required materials are due in late Fall (usually November or December). Meeting the minimum criteria leads to acceptance in December, but acceptance alone doesn't secure a seat. Once accepted, securing seats depends on submitting tuition deposits in the order received. The program accepts a maximum of around 60 deposits, filling the program. Unsuccessful applicants, including new ones meeting requirements, move to a waitlist. As seats open, waitlisted students are invited to secure them through a monitored process.
Students not meeting direct-entry criteria could be accepted into the Interdisciplinary Health Care Studies program with a Pre-Physician Assistant Science concentration. This program readies students for a Physician Assistance Sciences master's program. It has its own admission criteria. Those not meeting them might still join the Interdisciplinary Health Care Studies program without the Pre-Physician Assistant Science concentration or another qualified allied health program like Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or Public Health.
- Early exposure to medicine with Medical Terminology and Introduction to Medicine courses completed in your first three years of study. An arrangement of these introductory PA courses allows for role concept and knowledge base development, while providing a bridge to the physician assistant training curriculum in the last two years.
- Guaranteed progression in the major for all students meeting requirements.
- Completion of a strong liberal arts foundation.
- The SFU PA students work together, supporting each other along the way.
- Clinical experiences are built into the didactic year of physician assistant curriculum.
- We offer an integrated body system approach to medicine.
- We offer dedicated faculty and staff that go the extra mile to assist you in being successful.
- Many of our faculty continue to practice clinically.