Admissions Requirements
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Completed Application through CASPA: https://caspa.liaisoncas.com
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Three letters of recommendation
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Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
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Official GRE
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Direct Patient Care Hours
DEADLINE: January 15, 2027 is the deadline for Summer 2027 cohort.
Facilities & Technology
The Physician Assistant Program is housed in the
Keith O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
. It features a cutting-edge, technology-ready, amphitheater style classroom. The
Physical Assessment Lab (PAL)
includes 22 exam tables and 5 private exam rooms for practical education and individual testing of history taking and physical examination techniques. In addition, there are X-ray view boxes, operating room scrub sinks and a variety of teaching models.
PA students complete Gross Anatomy Lab at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, which is 2 miles away from campus.
Additional in-building areas:
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Ample interprofessional lounge area with tables and couches
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All faculty offices located adjacent to the PA classroom
Facilities off campus:
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Partnership with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine for Cadaver Dissection lab as part of Human Gross Anatomy Course
Technology features:
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Through the library students have access to: UptoDate, SmartyPance, Rosh Review, Access Medicine, LWW Health Library textbook platforms
Support Features:
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Mentor-Mentee program
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Peer tutoring
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Academic advising
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Academic Coaching Program
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Student Success Program
O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, located on University Avenue, provides classroom and research space, joining academic programs to innovative research. Students from the Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Respiratory Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs have classes in this building. It is also home to The Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the needs of student, professional, amateur, and recreational athletes and the community.
The Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, dedicated on October 18, 2002, was named in honor of its benefactor, esteemed alumnus and former trustee Keith J. O'Neill '76, the first male to graduate from Marywood's dietetics program and an accomplished leader in the dietetics profession. He credits Marywood for "(giving) me the skills and confidence to take on the challenges that come from running a large food service department and eventually from the challenges created by starting my own company."
In 2024, Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences during the dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, a transformative addition to the Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families and a cornerstone of the EMPOWER Campaign.
The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University's mission of fostering excellence in education.
Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion
The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University's mission of fostering excellence in education. Students are already taking classes in the new facility, which was finished early and under budget.
Physician Assistant Lab
The Physician Assistant Lab (PAL) is housed in the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. It features 31 exam tables for student practice as well as a faculty demonstration station with camera projection to four large screens throughout the room and a pediatric exam table to perform pediatric exams and measurements. The PAL hosts both physical assessment and medical procedures labs and utilizes anatomic models, auscultation models, point of care ultrasound models and various medical procedure training models for unmatched hands- on training.
Physician Assistant Lecture Hall
The Physician Assistant Lecture Hall is equipped with a large, central 14’ projector, 2 suspended screens, recording capabilities and state of the art audio equipment to enhance the classroom experience. The space seats 96 comfortably and offers electrical outlets at each seat.
Anatomage Virtual Dissection Table
The Anatomage virtual dissection table is utilized in conjunction with cadaver lab to assist in the Human Gross Anatomy lab training. This state-of-the-art equipment allows for virtual dissection and case studies.
Mock Operating Rooms
The Mock Operating Room is fully equipped with OR lighting, a fully functional OR table and surgical scrub sinks to simulate a surgical environment. To further enhance surgical skills, students are able to practice with our Laparoscopic Surgical Simulator to prepare for clinical rotations and practice.
Exam Rooms
There are 9 individual exam rooms utilized for practical education and testing of history and physical examination techniques. Each exam room is designed to mimic a provider office and is accessible to students to practice throughout their time here.
Simulation Rooms
There are 2 simulation rooms with state-of-the art critical care, birthing, neonatal and pediatric simulators. Each simulation room is equipped with a camera for recording of sessions and 2-way glass for observation.
Private Study Rooms
There are 3 private study rooms which can be accessed 24/7 with key-card access. These spaces are ideal for group studying and collaboration.
Student Break Room
A student break room and kitchen provides space for students to store and prepare food, eat comfortably between classes and socialize with peers.
Tuition
This program is 103 credits total x $1050 per credit = Total tuition $108,150
PA Program Student Fees (MU fees are separate and can be found on Student Accounts Website ): $3,600
The total of $3,600 is an estimate based on current industry costs. Fees will be divided across 6 semesters and can be found on your bill for each semester. Program required fees are subject to change, and include the following:
Anatomy cadaver lab: $600
BLS, ACLS, PALS: $400
Medical Library/Additional Learning Resources: $1,600
Lab Supplies/Equipment: $400
Malpractice Insurance: $200
PANCE prep course: $400
In addition to the PA Program Student Fees , students are responsible for supplemental expenses, which total a minimum of $2,775 .
Required Medical Equipment: $500-$800
Laptop: $700-$1500
AAPA Membership (2 years): $75
PSPA Membership (2 years): $50
Immunizations/Titers/PPD: Varies by insurance
White Coat/Nametag/MU Patch/Scrubs: $80-$100
FBI Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse Clearance, Drug Screening: $225-250 for clearances (performed yearly)
Faculty
Courses & Curriculum (103 total credits)
The Professional Phase
This consists of 24 months of continuous study in the clinical sciences. The first 12 months are didactic and include classroom and laboratory work in basic and applied medical science. The final 12 months are clinical rotations. These are performed at local, regional, and national clinical sites such as hospitals and medical offices, providing experiences in the areas of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, women's health, psychiatry/behavioral medicine, emergency room medicine, and an elective. During this phase students will also take online courses to supplement their clinical rotations.
Clinical Concentration/Specialty Track Options
In the fifth year of the program, eligible students will be able to apply for specialty tracks to focus their clinical exposure and acumen. These tracks are General Medicine (Primary Care), Hospitalist (Inpatient Medicine), Pediatrics, Surgery, and Emergency Medicine. Students will have to apply to the specialty track of interest, and enrollment will be limited. The tracks serve to allow students an opportunity to refine their clinical abilities within an area of specialization. These tracks do not make a student a specialist. No certification is conferred beyond that of the M.S. in PA Studies.
Degree Conferral and Certification
Those students entering the program as undergraduates will be awarded the B.S. in Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant Studies upon successful completion of the PA curriculum through Summer & Fall semesters of year four. Students successfully completing the Professional Phase (years four and five) of the PA Program are awarded the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Physician Assistant Studies and are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Once a candidate passes the examination, they are certified to perform a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services under the supervision of a licensed physician.
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Course Numbers
|
Course Names
|
Credit Hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
YEAR 4 - PA DIDACTIC PHASE
|
|
|
|
Summer Year 4
|
|
16 total credits
|
|
PA 503
|
Culturally Competent Medicine and Underserved Populations
|
1
|
|
PA 506
|
Human Gross Anatomy
|
2
|
|
PA 507
|
Human Physiology
|
1
|
|
PA 508
|
Introduction to the PA Profession
|
1
|
|
PA 509
|
Evidence-Based Medicine & Epidemiology
|
1
|
|
PA 513
|
Patient Assessment and Clinical Correlations I
|
4
|
|
PA 530
|
Clinical Medicine I
|
3
|
|
PA 542
|
Laboratory Medicine I
|
1
|
|
PA 544
|
Radiology
|
1
|
|
PA 549
|
Introduction to Pharmacology
|
1
|
|
Fall Year 4
|
|
19 total credits
|
|
PA 504
|
Medical Procedures I
|
1
|
|
PA 514
|
Patient Assessment and Clinical Correlations II
|
4
|
|
PA 516
|
Women's Health I
|
1
|
|
PA 520A
|
Pathophysiology & Genetics I
|
2
|
|
PA 531
|
Clinical Medicine II
|
3
|
|
PA 532
|
Orthopedics
|
1
|
|
PA 543
|
ECG Interpretation
|
1
|
|
PA 545
|
Laboratory Medicine II
|
1
|
|
PA 548
|
Radiology II
|
1
|
|
PA 550
|
Pharmacology I
|
2
|
|
PA 562
|
Psychiatry
|
1
|
|
PA 571
|
Pediatrics I
|
1
|
|
Spring Year 4
|
|
21 total credits
|
|
PA 505
|
Medical Procedures II
|
1
|
|
PA 515
|
Patient Assessment and Clinical Correlations III
|
4
|
|
PA 517
|
Women's Health II
|
1
|
|
PA 521A
|
Pathophysiology II
|
2
|
|
PA 533
|
Clinical Medicine III
|
3
|
|
PA 547
|
Critical Care Medicine
|
1
|
|
PA 551
|
Pharmacology II
|
2
|
|
PA 552
|
Emergency Medicine
|
2
|
|
PA 553
|
General Surgery
|
1
|
|
PA 554
|
Medical Nutrition
|
1
|
|
PA 563
|
Professional Practice
|
2
|
|
PA 573
|
Pediatrics II
|
1
|
|
YEAR 5 - PA CLINICAL PHASE
|
|
|
|
SUMMER YEAR 5
|
|
14 total credits
|
|
PA 600
|
Clinical Rotation 1
|
4
|
|
PA 601
|
Clinical Rotation 2
|
4
|
|
PA 602
|
Clinical Rotation 3
|
4
|
|
PA 616
|
Capstone Project I
|
1
|
|
PA 620
|
Clinical Seminar I
|
1
|
|
FALL YEAR 5
|
|
14 total credits
|
|
PA 603
|
Clinical Rotation 4
|
4
|
|
PA 604
|
Clinical Rotation 5
|
4
|
|
PA 605
|
Clinical Rotation 6
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4
|
|
PA 617
|
Capstone Project II
|
1
|
|
PA 621
|
Clinical Seminar II
|
1
|
|
SPRING YEAR 5
|
|
19 total credits
|
|
PA 606
|
Clinical Rotation 7
|
4
|
|
PA 607
|
Clinical Rotation 8
|
4
|
|
PA 608
|
Clinical Rotation 9
|
4
|
|
PA 609
|
Clinical Rotation 10
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4
|
|
PA 618
|
Capstone Project III
|
1
|
|
PA 622
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Clinical Seminar III
|
1
|
|
PA 630
|
Summative Experience
|
1
|
Program Learning Outcomes
To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be successful, competent Physician Assistants. To prepare students to participate as effective members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team in the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of diverse populations across the lifespan. To develop effective interpersonal and communication skills within the medical community. To encourage students to utilize service opportunities to gain professional experience, enhance their classroom learning, and strengthen their community. To develop as professionals and leaders at local, state, and national levels, shaping future policy and legislation to promote Physician Assistant practice.
Student Resources
Forms/Handbooks
PA Websites
Marywood Student Resources
If you’re searching for an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program in Pennsylvania, Marywood University offers a comprehensive, patient-centered pathway to becoming a certified PA. Our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies blends rigorous academics, real-world clinical experience, and a mission-driven approach to compassionate care.
Marywood University’s PA program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Graduates are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), ensuring a clear route to professional certification and licensure. Employers and clinical partners recognize the program for its academic excellence and ethical foundation.
The 24-month program provides a strong foundation in medical science and patient care. Students complete ten 5-week clinical rotations across diverse specialties—including emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, and orthopedics—preparing them to work in a variety of healthcare settings. You’ll train in Marywood’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion and the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families, with access to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine anatomy lab for hands-on learning.
With small class sizes and an approachable faculty, Marywood provides the individual attention you need to succeed in a demanding healthcare field. Through our Mentor-Mentee Program, academic advising, and peer support, students receive consistent guidance and encouragement from application to graduation.
Marywood’s PA master’s degree program emphasizes compassionate, ethical, and inclusive care. Rooted in the University’s values of service and respect, the curriculum trains students to see patients as whole individuals—addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual health needs. Graduates are equipped to serve diverse populations and lead with integrity in their communities.
Our physician assistant studies program attracts motivated, high-performing students who are passionate about medicine and patient advocacy. Graduates of Marywood’s PA program are fully prepared for the PANCE exam and go on to rewarding careers in hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices across the region and beyond.
When you choose Marywood University, you join a community dedicated to academic excellence, clinical competence, and compassionate care. Prepare to make a lasting impact in healthcare through a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies that balances science, service, and spirit.
