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M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies

Making the World Smarter, Safer and Healthier

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Learn from

Expert
Clinicians
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Diverse Clinical Experiences

50 weeks
of Medical & Surgical Rotations
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U.S. News & World Report

Top 100
University in the U.S.
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Forbes

Top 50
in Research in U.S. Universities
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Physician Assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose disease, develop and implement treatment plans, perform surgical procedures, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider. PAs complete thousands of hours of medical training to become versatile and collaborative clinicians. They practice nationwide, improving patient access to high-quality health care in medical and surgical settings. 

Physician assistant is among the highest-paying and fastest-growing jobs in the country. In 2021, it was ranked the  Best Job overall and Best Healthcare Job by U.S. News & World Report. Yeshiva University’s 86-credit M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies is a rigorous 28-month graduate program that prepares students for in-demand highly rewarding PA careers. 

Program Highlights

Train in state-of-the-art virtual cadaver and simulation laboratories

Master diagnostic and patient-care skills in top-tier physical diagnosis and clinical skills laboratories

Participate in inter-professional training opportunities with students and faculty from diverse health science backgrounds

Study with expert clinicians during 50 weeks of medical and surgical clerkship rotations

Explore your personal clinical interests during 10 weeks of elective rotations

Network with leaders in the health professions at state and national conferences

Full Program Breakdown

Physician Assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose disease, develop and implement treatment plans, perform surgical procedures, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider. PAs complete thousands of hours of medical training to become versatile and collaborative clinicians. They practice nationwide, improving patient access to high-quality health care in medical and surgical settings. 

Physician assistant is among the highest-paying and fastest-growing jobs in the country. In 2021, it was ranked the  Best Job overall and Best Healthcare Job by U.S. News & World Report. Yeshiva University’s 86-credit M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies is a rigorous 28-month graduate program that prepares students for in-demand highly rewarding PA careers. 

Program Highlights

Train in state-of-the-art virtual cadaver and simulation laboratories

Master diagnostic and patient-care skills in top-tier physical diagnosis and clinical skills laboratories

Participate in inter-professional training opportunities with students and faculty from diverse health science backgrounds

Study with expert clinicians during 50 weeks of medical and surgical clerkship rotations

Explore your personal clinical interests during 10 weeks of elective rotations

Network with leaders in the health professions at state and national conferences

Swipe to learn more!

Physician Assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose disease, develop and implement treatment plans, perform surgical procedures, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider. PAs complete thousands of hours of medical training to become versatile and collaborative clinicians. They practice nationwide, improving patient access to high-quality health care in medical and surgical settings. 

Physician assistant is among the highest-paying and fastest-growing jobs in the country. In 2021, it was ranked the  Best Job overall and Best Healthcare Job by U.S. News & World Report. Yeshiva University’s 86-credit M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies is a rigorous 28-month graduate program that prepares students for in-demand highly rewarding PA careers. 

Train in state-of-the-art virtual cadaver and simulation laboratories

Master diagnostic and patient-care skills in top-tier physical diagnosis and clinical skills laboratories

Participate in inter-professional training opportunities with students and faculty from diverse health science backgrounds

Study with expert clinicians during 50 weeks of medical and surgical clerkship rotations

Explore your personal clinical interests during 10 weeks of elective rotations

Network with leaders in the health professions at state and national conferences

Interested in this program? Apply Now!

At a Glance

86-credit Master of Science

Full-time program on campus in New York City

Leading clinical faculty

Competitive and diverse clinical experiences

Small classes where you’ll get to know everyone by name

Career support and professional networking opportunities

Candidates for the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies must have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science. In addition, candidates must have completed all prerequisite coursework, listed below, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, no more than 10 years from the time of application. Candidates must also demonstrate the technical standards indicated below.  

A CASPA application must be complete and verified in order to be evaluated by the PA program’s admissions committee. The link to the CASPA application is https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Applications for the Fall 2022 semester are no longer being accepted. The PA CASPA application cycle for Fall 2023 will open on May 15, 2022. If you have applied for Fall 2022 and wish to be considered for the Fall 2023 class, you must reapply through CASPA. Applications for Fall 2023 must be completed and verified in CASPA by the January 15, 2023 deadline to be considered.

Please note that the University requires its students to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. Students attending a program with a clinical training component are subject to this policy. Medical and religious exemptions generally are not available for students in a University clinical training program due to the requirements of external clinical sites and other circumstances which would place an undue burden on the University to provide the accommodation. You should bear this in mind when applying to the program. The University will not refund any fees or other payments if you are unable to enroll or otherwise complete the program.

Application Requirements

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Three (3) professional references 
  • Personal statement 
  • Student CV
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (for candidates whose bachelor's degrees were earned at a non-English-speaking institution)
    • Minimum TOEFL score on tests taken within the last two years: 100 (internet-based test)
    • Minimum IELTS score on tests taken within the last two years: 7

Admission to the PA program is very competitive. Only the most competitive applicants will be invited for an interview with the PA program’s admissions committee. A successful interview is required for admission to the PA program.

For admissions-related questions, contact katzgrad@yu.edu

Prerequisite Coursework 

  • Two semesters of general chemistry with lab (or two higher-level chemistry courses with lab) 
  • Two semesters of general biology with lab (or two higher-level biology courses with lab) 
  • One semester of statistics (or biostatistics) 
  • One semester of microbiology 
  • One semester of human anatomy with a lab 
  • One semester of human physiology (at least three credits) 

Technical Standards  

Candidates for admissions to YU’s PA program must generally meet the following  technical  standards.

Student Selection  

Selection of students is a two-step process. The process includes the evaluation of applications and subsequent applicant interviews. Both the evaluation of applications and applicant interviews are conducted by the PA program’s admissions committee.  

Admission to the PA program is very competitive. Admission is based on applicant academic achievement and individual character traits. The admissions committee recognizes its responsibility to present candidates for PA certification that have the maturity, integrity, knowledge, fortitude and generosity, as well as communication and leadership skills, to function in a broad variety of clinical situations. The program, therefore, gives preference to applicants who have dedicated themselves to community service, held leadership roles, demonstrated personal resilience, have excellent communication skills, and have earned higher overall and science GPAs.

Applicants selected for interview will be notified by email. If the applicant accepts the interview invitation, an interview schedule and agenda will be emailed to the applicant.  

Offers of interviews and acceptance into the PA program are made on a rolling basis. Applicants offered a seat in the PA program will receive notification via email.  

Transfer Credit & Advanced Standing  

Transfer credit and advanced standing and placement are not accepted. All students must complete all of the didactic and clinical elements of the PA program.  

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

The Office of Student Finance maintains current tuition, fees, and refund policies and procedures for all graduate programs. 

All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. You do not need to submit any additional information. Awards are determined during the application review process.  

Please schedule an appointment with an admissions director if you have questions about financial aid opportunities and financing your graduate degree. We can do a preliminary transcript review and discuss your admissions and financing options with the Katz School. 

Please note: Students may apply external scholarships (e.g., Fulbright, NSF, government support) towards their tuition but may not combine multiple scholarships from Yeshiva University or the Katz School.

Admissions & Financial Aid

Candidates for the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies must have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science. In addition, candidates must have completed all prerequisite coursework, listed below, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, no more than 10 years from the time of application. Candidates must also demonstrate the technical standards indicated below.  

A CASPA application must be complete and verified in order to be evaluated by the PA program’s admissions committee. The link to the CASPA application is https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Applications for the Fall 2022 semester are no longer being accepted. The PA CASPA application cycle for Fall 2023 will open on May 15, 2022. If you have applied for Fall 2022 and wish to be considered for the Fall 2023 class, you must reapply through CASPA. Applications for Fall 2023 must be completed and verified in CASPA by the January 15, 2023 deadline to be considered.

Please note that the University requires its students to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. Students attending a program with a clinical training component are subject to this policy. Medical and religious exemptions generally are not available for students in a University clinical training program due to the requirements of external clinical sites and other circumstances which would place an undue burden on the University to provide the accommodation. You should bear this in mind when applying to the program. The University will not refund any fees or other payments if you are unable to enroll or otherwise complete the program.

Application Requirements

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Three (3) professional references 
  • Personal statement 
  • Student CV
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (for candidates whose bachelor's degrees were earned at a non-English-speaking institution)
    • Minimum TOEFL score on tests taken within the last two years: 100 (internet-based test)
    • Minimum IELTS score on tests taken within the last two years: 7

Admission to the PA program is very competitive. Only the most competitive applicants will be invited for an interview with the PA program’s admissions committee. A successful interview is required for admission to the PA program.

For admissions-related questions, contact katzgrad@yu.edu

Prerequisite Coursework 

  • Two semesters of general chemistry with lab (or two higher-level chemistry courses with lab) 
  • Two semesters of general biology with lab (or two higher-level biology courses with lab) 
  • One semester of statistics (or biostatistics) 
  • One semester of microbiology 
  • One semester of human anatomy with a lab 
  • One semester of human physiology (at least three credits) 

Technical Standards  

Candidates for admissions to YU’s PA program must generally meet the following  technical  standards.

Student Selection  

Selection of students is a two-step process. The process includes the evaluation of applications and subsequent applicant interviews. Both the evaluation of applications and applicant interviews are conducted by the PA program’s admissions committee.  

Admission to the PA program is very competitive. Admission is based on applicant academic achievement and individual character traits. The admissions committee recognizes its responsibility to present candidates for PA certification that have the maturity, integrity, knowledge, fortitude and generosity, as well as communication and leadership skills, to function in a broad variety of clinical situations. The program, therefore, gives preference to applicants who have dedicated themselves to community service, held leadership roles, demonstrated personal resilience, have excellent communication skills, and have earned higher overall and science GPAs.

Applicants selected for interview will be notified by email. If the applicant accepts the interview invitation, an interview schedule and agenda will be emailed to the applicant.  

Offers of interviews and acceptance into the PA program are made on a rolling basis. Applicants offered a seat in the PA program will receive notification via email.  

Transfer Credit & Advanced Standing  

Transfer credit and advanced standing and placement are not accepted. All students must complete all of the didactic and clinical elements of the PA program.  

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

The Office of Student Finance maintains current tuition, fees, and refund policies and procedures for all graduate programs. 

All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. You do not need to submit any additional information. Awards are determined during the application review process.  

Please schedule an appointment with an admissions director if you have questions about financial aid opportunities and financing your graduate degree. We can do a preliminary transcript review and discuss your admissions and financing options with the Katz School. 

Please note: Students may apply external scholarships (e.g., Fulbright, NSF, government support) towards their tuition but may not combine multiple scholarships from Yeshiva University or the Katz School.

Program News

Tom Balga

Professor's Chapter Helps Clinicians Diagnose Abuse

Read about Tom Balga's work on child and elder abuse

Professor's Chapter Helps Clinicians Diagnose Abuse

A recently published chapter on Abuse and Violence Prevention by Thomas Balga, clinical assistant professor in the Katz School’s M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, offers clinicians a guide for the comprehensive and compassionate care of the 3 million children who are victims of abuse each year.

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

""

This PA Master's Student is a Boon to the Surgeon

Read more about Anthony Pagan

This PA Master's Student is a Boon to the Surgeon

Physician Assistant Studies master’s student Anthony Pagan watched intently the rise and fall of a patient’s chest as he lay on the operating table, the noxious scent of burning flesh filling the air as a cauterizing instrument sliced through tissue.

The surgeon made four incisions, and Pagan, a second-year Katz School graduate student who was completing an internship at Good Samaritan Hospital on Long Island, operated the thoracoscope, a flexible tube with a light and tiny camera inserted into the patient’s chest that transmitted images of a cancerous lung to a video monitor.

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

Dwayne Williams

Best-selling Textbook Author an Insta Influencer

Read more about Dwayne Williams

Best-selling Textbook Author an Insta Influencer

Dwayne Williams, co-author of The Ultimate Medical Mnemonic Comic Book: Color Version, which combines mnemonics, over 150 cartoons, bullet points and humor to review and retain important medical information, is the PA program’s director of didactic education and a clinical assistant professor. He has published several test prep and review guides for Kaplan and PANCE, and has over 36,000 followers on his PANCE Prep Pearls Instagram account. 

He also was co-creator of two medical apps—Flipmed, a digitized flash card system and study guide for healthcare professionals, and Pance Prep, which contains 8,600 clinically based practice examinations specifically formulated to enhance clinical skills and improve performance on examinations. 

In 2018, he was named Physician Assistant of the Year by the New York State Society of Physician Assistants, and from 2014 to 2019, he was director of didactic education at the Brooklyn Hospital Center at Long Island University where he was responsible for curriculum and policies.  

Since 2004, he has been an adjunct professor at both the New York Weill Cornell Medical College and Brooklyn Hospital Center, responsible for the didactic and clinical education of students. From 2002 to 2018, he was a physician assistant in emergency medicine at New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies from Long Island University and is fluent in Spanish.

""

PA Ranked Best Job in the United States

Read more about PA employment projections

PA Ranked Best Job in the United States

The median salary for a physician assistant is $112,260, the unemployment rate is less than 1 percent, and jobs are plentiful.

Read more about PA's career outlook in U.S. News & World Report. 

Yeshiva University shield

YU Ranked 68th in Best National Universities

Read more about YU’s rankings

YU Ranked 68th in Best National Universities

Yeshiva University ranks 68th among Best National Universities and 33rd in Best Value Schools in the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges.

Read more about Yeshiva University's rankings in U.S. News & World Report.

Tom Balga

Professor's Chapter Helps Clinicians Diagnose Abuse

Read about Tom Balga's work on child and elder abuse

Professor's Chapter Helps Clinicians Diagnose Abuse

A recently published chapter on Abuse and Violence Prevention by Thomas Balga, clinical assistant professor in the Katz School’s M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, offers clinicians a guide for the comprehensive and compassionate care of the 3 million children who are victims of abuse each year.

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

""

This PA Master's Student is a Boon to the Surgeon

Read more about Anthony Pagan

This PA Master's Student is a Boon to the Surgeon

Physician Assistant Studies master’s student Anthony Pagan watched intently the rise and fall of a patient’s chest as he lay on the operating table, the noxious scent of burning flesh filling the air as a cauterizing instrument sliced through tissue.

The surgeon made four incisions, and Pagan, a second-year Katz School graduate student who was completing an internship at Good Samaritan Hospital on Long Island, operated the thoracoscope, a flexible tube with a light and tiny camera inserted into the patient’s chest that transmitted images of a cancerous lung to a video monitor.

Read the entire story in the Katz blog.

Dwayne Williams

Best-selling Textbook Author an Insta Influencer

Read more about Dwayne Williams

Best-selling Textbook Author an Insta Influencer

Dwayne Williams, co-author of The Ultimate Medical Mnemonic Comic Book: Color Version, which combines mnemonics, over 150 cartoons, bullet points and humor to review and retain important medical information, is the PA program’s director of didactic education and a clinical assistant professor. He has published several test prep and review guides for Kaplan and PANCE, and has over 36,000 followers on his PANCE Prep Pearls Instagram account. 

He also was co-creator of two medical apps—Flipmed, a digitized flash card system and study guide for healthcare professionals, and Pance Prep, which contains 8,600 clinically based practice examinations specifically formulated to enhance clinical skills and improve performance on examinations. 

In 2018, he was named Physician Assistant of the Year by the New York State Society of Physician Assistants, and from 2014 to 2019, he was director of didactic education at the Brooklyn Hospital Center at Long Island University where he was responsible for curriculum and policies.  

Since 2004, he has been an adjunct professor at both the New York Weill Cornell Medical College and Brooklyn Hospital Center, responsible for the didactic and clinical education of students. From 2002 to 2018, he was a physician assistant in emergency medicine at New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies from Long Island University and is fluent in Spanish.

""

PA Ranked Best Job in the United States

Read more about PA employment projections

PA Ranked Best Job in the United States

The median salary for a physician assistant is $112,260, the unemployment rate is less than 1 percent, and jobs are plentiful.

Read more about PA's career outlook in U.S. News & World Report. 

Yeshiva University shield

YU Ranked 68th in Best National Universities

Read more about YU’s rankings

YU Ranked 68th in Best National Universities

Yeshiva University ranks 68th among Best National Universities and 33rd in Best Value Schools in the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges.

Read more about Yeshiva University's rankings in U.S. News & World Report.

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