Admissions | Academic Program Options | Physician Assistant Studies

The Physician Assistant program at NYIT is a full-time graduate-level program leading to an MS degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Applicants are required to have a BS or BA degree (preferably in a science or health-related field), along with other admission requirements, prior to entering the program. The three-year (30 months onsite) curriculum encompasses 98 credits that are spread over four semesters of didactic education, followed by 48 weeks of intense clinical clerkships. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
>> Admission requirements for the MS Physician Assistant Studies program.

Exceptional high school graduates may qualify for a 6-year Combined BS Life Sciences/MS Physician Assistant Studies option. This program begins with 3 years (92 credits) of undergraduate study in the BS Life Sciences (PA Option) program, and ends with 3 years (98 credits) of graduate study in the MS in Physician Assistant Studies program. Progression through the six-years depends on the student's ability to meet certain standards. This combined program does not accept transfers, and candidates who have attended college are disqualified from applying. Candidates who have a BS or BA degree should apply directly to the MS Physician Assistant Studies program.
>> Admission requirements for the Combined BS Life Sciences/MS Physician Assistant Studies option.

Admission to the MS Physician Assistant Studies Program

Admission Requirements

a bachelor's degree with a strong emphasis on science and mathematics
a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale
a minimum of C+ or better in the following prerequisites*:
- two semesters of any biology. Labs are not required in these courses. **
- one semester of psychology;
- one semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology (may be substituted with the combination of Anatomy & Physiology I AND Anatomy & 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)
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)*** scores. Please contact the exam administrators, Educational Testing Service (ETS: http://www.ets.org/), to have your scores forwarded to the following Designated Institution (DI) Code: 0390
International applicants must complete these additional requirements

*Candidates may take courses of any level to fullfill these pre-requisites, including coursework not designated for science majors. However, coursework that is specifically designated for healthcare providers or pre-medical classes are preferable (when available) as these will better prepare the student for the level of study encountered within our program.

** 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.

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.

PLEASE NOTE:
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.

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How to Apply

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 supplemental application is not required.

Deadline

A completed and fully processed application must be received by the program from CASPA no later than December 1, 2013 for the class entering in Fall 2014.

Please note that CASPA typically needs at least 6-8 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 Application Review

Priority in application review and invitation to interview is available for strong candidates. To be considered, applicants must ensure that a completed CASPA application and supporting documentation are received by the program by September 1, 2013.

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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.

Contacts for Admission Inquiries

QUESTIONS?
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page

Mailing Address:
Physician Assistant Studies
New York Institute of Technology
Riland Center, Room 352
Northern Boulevard, PO Box 8000
Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000

International Applicants

Admission requirements listed above are also applicable to international applicants. Please note that all the prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited institution in the United States within the last 10 years.

In addition, international applicants (including those from English-speaking countries or applicants with non-US education) must provideTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores. A 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 November 1 of the year prior to the anticipated start date. This is to ensure ample time for the visa application process.

Admission to the Combined BS Life Sciences/MS Physician Assistant Studies Option

The six-year B.S. Life Sciences/M.S. Physician Assistant Studies combined program (BSMS.PA) is only open to recent high school graduates.

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. Candidates who have attended college are disqualified from applying. Candidates who have a BS or BA degree should apply directly to the MS Physician Assistant Studies program.

Qualified candidates must enter as undergraduate freshmen. For the first 3 years, they will follow a 92-credit curriculum in the BS Life Sciences (PA Option) program. In their third year, students who have met qualifying standards will be allowed to apply to the MS Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program. For the following 3 years, students who are admitted to the MSPA program will be required to successfully complete the 98 credit graduate-level curriculum .

Students who graduate from the MSPA program are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in order to practice as Physician Assistants.

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.

Please read this Fact Sheet before applying.

Admission to the MS Physician Assistant Studies Program