The M.S. degree in Physician Assistant Studies is a full-time program. The three-year (30 months onsite) program encompasses 98 credits that are spread over four semesters of didactic education and 48 weeks of intense clinical clerkships. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Contacts for Admission Inquiries

Suzana Uda-Rebecca, M.A.
Admissions Coordinator
Phone: 516.686.3881
E-mail: pa@nyit.edu

Lawrence Herman, MPA, RPA-C
Director of Physician Assistant Studies Admissions
E-mail: LHerman@nyit.edu

Physician Assistant Studies
New York Institute of Technology
Riland Center, Room 352
Northern Boulevard, PO Box 8000
Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000
P: 516.686.3881
F: 516.686.3795 (Attn: PA)
pa@nyit.edu

GPS: 40 48.535 - 073 36.306

Directions to the campus

To apply for admission to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program:

NYIT's Physician Assistant program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications must be completed online at https://portal.caspaonline.org. A completed application must be received by the program from CASPA no later than December 1, 2011 for the class entering in Fall 2012. Priority in application review and invitation to interview is available for strong candidates (see below).

Please note that CASPA typically needs at least 5 weeks processing time before sending the verified application to the program (depending on how soon it receives all supporting material such as transcripts and letters of recommendation). Therefore we highly recommend submitting your application early to avoid missing the deadline due to the processing time. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all supporting documents reach CASPA in a timely manner.

Priority in application review and invitation for interview will be given to those applicants whose completed CASPA application and supporting documentation are received by the program by September 1, 2011.

Admission requirements include:

a bachelor's degree with a strong emphasis on science and mathematics
a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum of C+ in all prerequisites
minimum prerequisites include
- two semesters of biology;*
- one semester of psychology;
- one semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology (may be substituted with the combination of Anatomy and Physiology I AND Anatomy and Physiology II);
- two semesters of college chemistry with labs; and,
- two semesters of college math (it is recommended but not required that one of these two math courses include one semester of statistics)
all pre-requisites should be completed within the previous 10 years at a regionally accredited institution in the United States
two professional letters of reference including one from a PA, D.O., or M.D.
a one-page personal narrative (completed as part of your CASPA application)
a minimum of 100 hours of verifiable direct patient care experience in the U.S. healthcare system
met the Technical Standards of the PA Program (Technical Standards are available in the PA Program office and on the Program Web site)
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)** scores. To request delivery of scores to NYIT, please use the college code 2561 (do not complete the department code field to avoid misdirection of the scores).

* Microbiology and Genetics are highly recommended but not required. If taken, these courses can be used toward the biology requirements.
**GRE scores are required for acceptance into the NYIT PA program. There is no minimum GRE score requirement. However, it is critical to recognize that GRE scores are one of many factors considered in the final ranking of every application. Therefore, please check the ETS website for test-taking and score reporting deadlines to ensure scores are received by the program in a timely manner to allow us to make a timely admission decision while the limited number of seats in our program still remain available.

Supplemental application forms are not required.

The program accepts new students every September. The admission process is highly competitive. Applications are reviewed relative to undergraduate intensity of studies, cumulative and science GPA, patient care experience, personal narrative, and letters of reference. Personal interviews, required for admission, are offered to the most qualified individuals. For additional information, contact us at pa@nyit.edu or at 516.686.3881.

Applicants to the School of Health Professions should be aware that certain legal issues and/or convictions may preclude a student from being accepted by clerkships, internships and/or field work and impact the student’s ability to successfully complete the program and achieve certification and/or licensure.

Information Sessions

Prospective applicants are invited to attend one of our information sessions to meet with department faculty and learn more about the program. A typical session includes a description of the facilities, an overview of the profession, a detailed explanation of program requirements, and a question-answer session.

International Applicants

Admission requirements listed above are also applicable to international applicants. All the prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited institution in the United States.

In addition, international applicants (including those from English-speaking countries or applicants with non-US education) must provide TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores. Waiver of this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In general, a minimum score of 575 (233 computer-based; 80 internet-based) is required for admission. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

Candidates holding degrees from non-US institutions must provide notarized English translations and an official evaluation of their post-secondary records from an academic credential evaluation service.

International applicants are required to submit a copy of a passport or national ID.

Applications must be complete and all admissions materials and related documentation received from international applicants no later than Nov. 1 of the year prior to the anticipated start date. This is to ensure ample time for the visa application process.

B.S. Life Sciences/M.S. Physician Assistant Studies Combined Program

NOTE: This BSMS combined program is only for students seeking to start PA education directly from high school.

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 85.

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 or complete an online undergraduate admission form.

Further information regarding the B.S./M.S. Combined Program