The Combined Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences/Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program (B.S./M.S.) is a 6 year program (3 + 3: 3 years of preprofessional courses and a 3 year professional phase). The program in Physician Assistant Studies is a master’s degree program that provides an entry-level physician assistant professional education.

The six-year B.S. Life Sciences/M.S. Physician Assistant Studies combined program is specifically designed for exceptional high school students, entering as Life Sciences freshmen, who wish to qualify for entry into the graduate physician assistant program following three years of undergraduate work in the Life Sciences program. Applicants to this program are required to have a minimum SAT score of 1100 or an ACT of 24 and a high school minimum cumulative average grade of 90.

This program does not accept transfers. Applicants already possessing a bachelor's degree are not eligible to apply for the B.S./M.S. program, and must apply directly to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. To apply for admission into the B.S./M.S. program, contact the NYIT Office of Admissions at 516.686.7520.

Admission to M.S. Physician Assistant Studies

Students may qualify for admission into the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (professional phase) upon completion of all prerequisite undergraduate courses and maintained a minimum 3.0 overall cumulative GPA, received no math or science grade lower than C+, have verification of a minimum of 100 hours of direct patient health care experience, submit two professional letters of recommendation, at least one from a D.O., M.D., or PA, a one-page typewritten narrative on reasons for wanting to be a PA, had an in-person progression evaluation and recommendation by the program director and the Academic Review Committee for Physician Assistant, and met the Technical Standards of the PA Program (Technical Standards are available in the PA Program office).

The Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences will be conferred after successful completion of the first professional year of the Physician Assistant master’s degree program. See NYIT’s Graduate Catalog for details on the Master of Science in PA Studies.

Students in this option who are not accepted into the professional phase of the PA program must complete the requirements for another Life Science option in order to receive a Baccalaureate degree.

Graduates of the master’s degree program are eligible to sit for the physician assistant national certification examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Almost all states require applicants for Physician Assistant licensure to pass the certification examination. The Physician Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).