91ÖÆƬ³§ offers a Master of Physician Assistant degree. The PA program is divided into two phases, spanning 28 consecutive months over seven semesters.
Phase I, the 16-month pre-clinical year, spans four consecutive semesters (68 credit hours) and incorporates traditional classroom interaction with clinical skills development and simulated patient interaction through the .
In Phase II (34 credit hours), students complete 8 clinical field experiences with supervised, direct patient care in various medical and surgical disciplines, which form the basis of the professional socialization process and adaptation to the role and functions of a physician assistant.
Most of the clinical sites are located throughout Hampton Roads. Opportunities exist for clinical placements outside the region and for students to initiate new rotation sites. However, international clinical placements are not an option.
Graduates are required to pass the and meet state-specific regulations in order to practice clinically.
Program Highlights
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The 2025 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s rankings — a peer-assessed category of its — ranks the Physician Assistant (M.P.A.) program 35th among the nation’s 310 physician assistant programs.
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Learn through instruction based on the medical model of education on the campus of a medical school.
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Our Community-Engaged Learning program combines meaningful community service with structured learning and reflection to enhance PA students’ overall learning experience.
Featured Courses
Careers
Check out these ideas from 91ÖÆƬ³§'s Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Requirements
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The 2025-2026 cycle will open July 1, 2025 with a deadline of March 1, 2026.
Admission to the Physician Assistant profession has become increasingly competitive over the years. The school evaluates applicants through four lenses: cognitive/academic, personal/non-cognitive, healthcare experience, and community service. -
- Completed the by March 1.
Following the online instructions, applicants must contact every college or university attended and request transcripts be sent directly to CASPA. Click for help sending your official transcripts.
- Citizenship: Applicants to the program must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents (Green Card)
- Qualifying GPA of 3.20 or better (on a 4.0 scale). See Admissions Guidebook for an explanation of Qualifying GPA
- Prerequisite Courses: All eight (8) prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited U.S. institution with a B- or better grade by March 1. Except Anatomy & Physiology (OR A&P 1 and A&P 2), prerequisite courses must be equal to a minimum of 3 semester credits (5 quarter credits). Anatomy and Physiology must be equal to a minimum of 4 semester credits per semester (6 quarter credits per quarter).
Prerequisite coursework must be completed before the March 1st application deadline. Applications with outstanding prerequisite courses will not be eligible for review.
Required courses include:
- Prerequisite Courses with No Time Limit for Completion:
- Intro to Psychology
- General Chemistry
- College Math, Physics OR Statistics
- Prerequisite Courses that Must be Completed within 10 Years of Application Deadline:
- Organic Chemistry OR Biochemistry
- Microbiology OR Cell Biology
- Advanced Psychology Course
- Anatomy AND Physiology OR A&P I AND A&P II (2 courses required)** Time limit details below
- Prerequisite Courses with No Time Limit for Completion:
**Beginning in the 2023-2024 application cycle, Anatomy AND Physiology OR A&P I AND A&P II will need to have 4 semester hours / 6 quarter hours per semester and need to be completed within the following time frames:
2025-2026 application cycle: within 5 years of application deadline
- Completed the by March 1.
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- Bachelor's degree (or higher graduate degree) is required by July 1.
- Specifics regarding TOEFL for applicants with foreign education can be found in the Admissions Guidebook.
- Specifics regarding TOEFL for applicants with foreign education can be found in the Admissions Guidebook.
- Additional Testing:
- Beginning with the 2023-2024 cycle, the CASPer Test is no longer required.
- Specifics regarding TOEFL for applicants with foreign education can be found in the Admissions Guidebook.
- Patient Care and Healthcare Experience: Although not required to apply, patient care and healthcare experience is desirable and rewarded in the application review process.
- Licenses and Certifications: Although not required to apply, obtaining a certification in a healthcare field is often helpful in securing paid healthcare experience and is rewarded in the application review process.
- Volunteer Experience: Part of the school's vision is to be recognized as the most community-oriented school of medicine and health professions in the United States. Therefore, we reward applicants with a demonstrated commitment to community service.
- CASPA Letter of Reference: The school requires two (2) letters of reference.
- CASPA Personal Essay: The personal essay should be written at a graduate level and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the PA role and function.
- Technical Standards: Applicants to the program must be prepared to independently meet the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Bachelor's degree (or higher graduate degree) is required by July 1.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition and fees are established annually in June and may change without notice. For questions about charges on student accounts, please contact Program-specific tuition and fee information is available on each program’s website.
