Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (24 Month Program), Master's

Admission into our MSPAS program is highly competitive. We conduct a completely holistic review of all applications on a rolling admissions basis.

We strive to recruit a diverse student body, as we are committed to promoting excellence through diversity, equity, and inclusion. This commitment is a mission-critical imperative in honoring our Salesian spirituality which creates a campus community that allows us to “be who you are and be that well.”

Admission Requirements:

• Submission of a verified application in CASPA no later than December 1. We do not require a supplemental application.
• A minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum science cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale), to be completed prior to matriculation. Applicants with a degree or coursework outside of the U.S. should review the CASPA requirements for evaluated transcripts. 
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation, maximum of five. Some examples of appropriate references include instructors/professors, academic advisors, and supervisors, especially those supervising you during your direct patient care experiences. We highly recommend you do not submit a reference from someone you have shadowed for only a brief time, or a family member or friend.
• All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation into the program. You may submit your application while completing prerequisite courses, however only two outstanding courses can be completed after the deadline. There are three courses that must have been taken within five years of applying: Microbiology and Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Exceptions may be made if you have been active in the medical field since taking the courses or graduating. 
• Complete the Physician Assistant College Admissions Test (PA-CAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores should be reported using the DeSales University Program Code: 0540. We do not require a minimum score, however competitive PA-CAT and GRE scores are generally considered to be in the top 50th percentile. The MCAT exam will be accepted with an overall score of 500 or higher. Please note that scores must be received by the December 1 deadline.
• A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience (paid, volunteer, or shadowing). The experience must be completed within the United States due to the wide variety of global health care delivery systems. The most useful health care hours relate to direct patient contact, including but not limited to EMT, CNA, MA, surgical technician, patient care technician/associate, dietician, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, campus health center volunteer. We will also accept up to 50 hours of virtual shadowing, provided there is contact information in CASPA.
• Applicants from a country where English is not the primary language must submit TOEFL scores with a minimum overall score of 90. 

Evaluation Methods

• Potentially qualified applicants will be granted a personal interview by invitation only.
• Applicants will be evaluated on:
  • Academic credentials
  • Accountability
  • Communication Skills
  • Preparedness
  • Professionalism
  • Respectfulness
  • Self-Confidence
  • Understanding the role of the PA/Healthcare
  • Experience with vulnerable or traditionally under-served populations
• Military Applicants
  • As a proud Yellow Ribbon Program participant, special consideration is given to applicants who have served or are serving in the U.S. military.
• DeSales University Students and Alumni
  • DeSales University students and alumni will be granted an interview upon meeting minimum requirements.
  • Two seats are reserved for DeSales University students and alumni each incoming class.
• The Physician Assistant Program at DeSales University is a full-time academic program. Advanced placement is not possible. There is no credit awarded for experiential learning. The didactic courses are completed in sequence as listed in the curriculum.

The MSPAS is a 24-month, 99-credit program, with a cohort beginning every August.

Year One:  Didactic (54 credits)

Students are in class full-time for 12 months and begin participating in early clinical experiences shortly after the start of the program:

Fall

• PA501 – Clinical Anatomy and Physiology (2 credits)
• PA501L – Clinical Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
• PA502 – History and Physical Examination (3 credits)
• PA504 – Clinical Medicine I (4 credits)
• PA506 – Clinical Reasoning I (2 credits)
• PA510 – Pharmacology I (2 credits)
• PA 515 – Pathophysiology I (2 credits)
• PA 517 – Research Seminar (1 credit)
• PA 619 – Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (1 credit)

Spring

• PA501L – Clinical Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1 credit)
• PA503 – History and Physical Examination II (3 credits)
• PA505 – Clinical Medicine II (4 credits)
• PA507 – Clinical Reasoning II (2 credits)
• PA511 – Pharmacology II (2 credits)
• PA 513 – Diagnostic Methods I (1 credit)
• PA516 – Pathophysiology II (2 credits)
• PA575 – Ethics of Healthcare (Values Seminar) (3 credits)

Summer

• PA 508 - Physician Assistant History and Role (1 credit)
• PA 606 - Clinical Medicine III (4 credits)
• PA 607 - Behavioral Aspects of Medicine (3 credits)
• PA 608 - Clinical Reasoning III (2 credits)
• PA 612 - Pharmacology III (2 credits)
• PA 614 - Diagnostic Methods II (1 credit)
• PA 617 - Pathophysiology III (2 credits)
• PA 618 - Clinical Skills Development (2 credits)
• PA 620 - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (1 credit)

Year Two - Clinical Rotations (45 credits)

In the second year, students complete nine 5-week clinical rotations:

• PA 630 - Emergency Medicine (5 credits)
• PA 631 - Family Medicine I (5 credits)
• PA 632 - Family Medicine II (5 credits)
• PA 633 - Internal Medicine (5 credits)
• PA 634 - Women's Health (5 credits)
• PA 635 - Pediatrics (5 credits)
• PA 636 - Psychiatry (5 credits)
• PA 637 - General Surgery (5 credits)
• PA 799 - Elective Rotation (5 credits)

Students must successfully complete a summative evaluation within the last four months of the program.

Director's Message

Welcome to the DeSales University Physician Assistant Program.  We take great pride in the success of our students, graduates, and in the great outcomes of the program.

I am honored to serve as the Program Director of the DeSales Physician Assistant Program. I have had the pleasure of being part of the PA program faculty since 1997. The PA program has grown and evolved since then, and what has continued is the stellar education our PA students receive. Our passionate and highly knowledgeable faculty are dedicated to providing the finest didactic education in the classroom as well as exceptional clinical experiences during the nine 5-week rotations that comprise the clinical year. Our program outcomes include stellar first-time PANCE pass rates since the inception of the program. 

I invite you to explore our program and learn more about the many unique benefits and advantages we offer our students. 

Kathleen Ehrhardt, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA
Program Director

The Area's Only Gross Anatomy Lab

Healthcare Simulation Lab

Standardized Patient Area

Program Costs 2023-2024

• Tuition per semester: $15,650* for a total of six semesters = $93,900
• Professional fee each semester: $1,000 for a total of six semesters = $6,000
• Applications only accepted through CASPA: $0 for DeSales, CASPA fees as required
• Approximate additional fees for background checks: $500
• Graduation fee: $120
• Total cost of MSPAS program: $100,520

Returned check service: $30

*Tuition rates are subject to change with notice. Final rates for these terms will be approved by Board of Trustees.

View a comprehensive list of important MSPAS Financial Aid/Cost Documents by Class Start