PA Admission Requirement

CUNY School of Medicine – MS in Physician Assistant Studies

COVID-19 Adjustments and Online Coursework

The CUNY School of Medicine will not disadvantage applicants who received pass/fail grades or completed prerequisite courses online due to COVID-19 during the Spring 2020 semester.

Online hybrid courses, taken before Spring 2020, will be accepted towards the fulfillment of the core prerequisite science courses. The online laboratory components, taken before Spring 2020, will not be accepted. Due to COVID-19, 2020-2021-2022 online courses and laboratory components will be accepted. Spring 2023 and beyond lab components must be taken in-person.

Quick Facts

• Degree: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
• Program Length: 28 months (Full-time only)
• Application Portal: CASPA
• No GRE required
• No CASPer required
• No rolling admissions

Eligibility & Application Process

• Application Opens: July 1, 2025
• Deadline: December 1, 2025 (Application must be verified in CASPA by 11:59 PM ET)
• Bachelor’s Degree: Required; may be in progress if completed by June 15, 2026
• CASPA: All applications must be submitted via CASPA. Follow CASPA User Guide
• TOEFL/IELTS (for international applicants): TOEFL 75 iBT / 550 paper OR IELTS 6.5
• Pending Prerequisites: Up to 2 allowed, completed by December 31, 2025 (Winter or Spring 2026 coursework not accepted)

Prerequisite Coursework

Core Science Requirements

• *Biochemistry – will be required for the 2026-2027 cycle
• Biology I & II with lab – 8 credits
• Chemistry I & II with lab – 8 credits
• Microbiology with lab – 3 credits
• Statistics – 3 credits (Calculus not accepted)
• *Organic Chemistry I with lab – will be required for the 2026-2027 cycle

Advanced Science Courses (Choose 2 of the following):

• Anatomy & Physiology I & II with lab (counts as one course)
• Biochemistry – will no longer be an option for the 2026-2027 cycle
• Cell & Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Mammalian Physiology

*2026–2027 Updated Requirements: Organic Chemistry I with lab and Biochemistry will be required for 2026-2027 Admissions Cycle. Organic Chem I & II with labs will no longer substitute for General Chemistry I & II with labs.

Recency Requirement (≤ 7 years old at time of application)

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology with lab
• Statistics
• Organic Chemistry I with lab
• Plus two of the upper-level science courses listed above

Substitution Rules

Organic Chemistry I & II with labs may substitute for General Chemistry I & II (only as a full sequence) for the 2025-2026 Admissions Cycle. 

AP credits accepted only with a score of 4 or 5 and Score Reports/Transcripts must be uploaded to CASPA.

Patient Care & Shadowing Experience

• Shadowing: Strongly encouraged, especially with practicing PAs
• Hands-on Patient Care: At least 1,000 hours highly recommended
• Examples: EMT, paramedic, CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, nurse, etc.
• Experience must include direct interaction with patients

Interview & Admissions Decision

• Interview Period: End of January through Mid-March 2026 (in person at CUNY School of Medicine campus)
• Decisions Begin: March 1, 2026
• Final Notifications: April 1, 2026
• Deposit: $250 required upon acceptance to secure your seat
• Travel expenses for interviews are not reimbursed

Academic Criteria

Minimum GPA:

• Cumulative GPA (CASPA): 3.0
• Prerequisite GPA: 3.0

Minimum Grade: 

• C or higher for all prerequisite courses

International Applicants

• Language Proficiency:
  • TOEFL 75 iBT / 550 paper OR IELTS 6.5 (Academic)
  • Exemptions: U.S. citizens/permanent residents or those with U.S. graduate degrees or 4 full-time semesters at a U.S. institution
• Foreign Transcript Evaluation: Must be completed via WES www.wes.org
• International Student Services: Accepted students must complete clearance through the CCNY International Student Office
• I-20 Requirements: Acceptance letter, financial documentation, and valid passport

Additional Notes

• All clinical rotations are based in New York and must be completed in-person
• No part-time, evening, or weekend enrollment
• No CLEP or credit-by-exam accepted
• No course waivers or advanced placement into the program
• Background check required prior to by affiliated hospitals