Admission Requirements
Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.
How To Apply
Thank you for your interest in the Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. degree. Review the information below to apply.
The program admits 60 students every fall. Priority in filling those seats will be given to students from the six-year B.S./M.S. program who have met the requirements to transition into the graduate phase. The remaining seats will be open to external applicants. The application and admissions processes for the PA Studies program does not favor specific groups or individuals based on their personal or social identities.
The program includes a three-year (30 months onsite) curriculum encompassing 98 credits spread over four semesters of didactic education, followed by 48 weeks of supervised clinical practice experience.
The admission process is highly competitive. Applications are reviewed relative to undergraduate intensity of studies, cumulative and science GPA, patient care experience, leadership and volunteer experience, and letters of reference. Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified individuals and are required for admission.
Students who successfully graduate from New York Institute of Technology’s Physician Assistant program are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) for certification. Upon passing the PANCE, graduates are eligible to apply for New York State Licensure.
Each of the other 49 U.S. states and territories may have specific educational requirements for a certified PA to be eligible for licensure in that location. Although many states have similar requirements, the New York Tech PA Department is unable to determine whether graduates are eligible for licensure in states other than New York. A student seeking to practice in a state other than New York should review the educational requirements set by the state’s licensing board.
Applicants to the School of Health Professions should be aware that certain legal issues and/or convictions may preclude a student from being accepted by clerkships, internships, and/or field work and impact the student’s ability to complete the required program courses and qualify for graduation, certification, and/or licensure. In addition, students assigned to clinical clerkships may be required to undergo drug screening in accordance with their institutional or federal policies.
Additionally, applicants to the PA program should be aware that certain immunizations are required by our clinical affiliates beyond what is required by New York Tech. If the student is unable to confirm immunization status or unable to obtain immunizations due to personal, religious, or medical reasons, the New York Tech PA program cannot guarantee placement at a clinical site, and this may limit the student’s ability to successfully complete and graduate from the program. For full policies and procedures, please refer to the PA Studies Student Handbook: Immunization Documentation.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation into the program (preferably in a science or health-related field).
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Minimum science GPA of 3.2
- Academic record that includes a strong emphasis on science and math.
- Minimum grade of B in all prerequisite courses, which may be taken up to two times to achieve the required score. Pass/fail grades are only acceptable if earned during the Spring 2020 semester.
- The minimum prerequisite courses must be completed within the previous 10 years at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or Canada.
- You must have no more than four outstanding prerequisites by the application deadline; and only two of the four outstanding courses may be completed in the final spring semester.
- Prerequisite courses include:
- Two semesters of biology with laboratory; Genetics is highly recommended
- Two semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
- One semester of organic chemistry
- One semester of biochemistry
- One semester of microbiology (in addition to the two biology courses)
- One semester of psychology
- One semester of human anatomy AND one semester of human physiology OR a combination of Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Two semesters of college math; one of these courses must be statistics
- Minimum of 250 hours of verifiable patient care experience in the U.S. healthcare system.
- Three professional letters of recommendation, including one from a physician assistant or physician.
- Meet the Technical Standards for the physician assistant program.
NOTE: The Physician Assistant Studies program does not award or grant advanced standing under any circumstances. All courses in the curriculum must be completed within the program.
In addition to all of the above requirements, international applicants will need to provide:
- Proof of English proficiency. A minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 575 (233 computer-based; 80 internet-based) is generally required for admission for all international applicants, including those from English-speaking countries or non-U.S. education. Waivers of this requirement will be considered on an individual basis. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.
- Notarized English translations and an official evaluation of post-secondary records from an academic credential evaluation service for all candidates holding degrees from non-US institutions.
- A copy of a passport or national ID.
Please note that all course prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited institution in the United States within the last 10 years.
Learn More About International Student Admission Requirements
The following documents must be submitted directly to CASPA:
- Three professional letters of recommendation, including one from a physician assistant or physician.
- One-page personal narrative (completed as part of the CASPA application).
- Copies of undergraduate transcripts for all schools attended. All final, official transcripts must be received prior to the start of your first semester.
- Please do not submit any GRE or MCAT scores as they will not be part of our evaluation process.
You must submit your application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Specific instructions related to the application process can be found on the CASPA website. A supplemental application is not required.
In order to be considered for admission, candidates must e-Submit their applications through CASPA no later than October 1 for the class entering the following fall.
Physician Assistant Studies
New York Institute of Technology
Riland Center, room 352
Northern Boulevard, PO Box 8000
Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000
Apply Now
Submit your application to the Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. program. We look forward to learning more about you.