Physician Assistant Program Frequently Asked Questions
Program Information
When Did the Program Start?
How Big is the Program?
What Degrees Are Awarded?
Graduate-entry students earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS) upon successful completion.
Undergraduate-entry (BS/MS) students earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Studies at the end of the Spring II semester of the graduate phase, and then a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies upon program completion.
Do the Faculty Practice Clinically?
Admission Requirements & Process*
How Do I Apply?
How Can I Complete Prerequisite Coursework?
Applications may have outstanding prerequisites, but all courses must be completed by matriculation.
Prerequisite courses can be completed at any CASPA-verified U.S. institution.
Online lecture courses and community college courses are accepted.
Online labs are not accepted.
If you have two courses that meet one prerequisite, the higher grade will be used. Both courses may be listed in CASPA.
What Courses Meet the Psychology Prerequisite?
What if I Took a Prerequisite Course a Few Years Ago?
All prerequisite coursework must be completed within seven years of the program’s matriculation date. This means that any prerequisite class taken more than seven years prior to the start of the program will not be accepted toward admission requirements.
For example, if the matriculation date for the program is January 2028, all prerequisite courses must have been completed on or after January 2021.
This policy ensures that applicants’ foundational knowledge in key sciences—such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology—is current and relevant to the rigor of graduate-level physician assistant education.
How Do You Calculate the Prerequisite GPA?
What is the Required GPA for Admission?
A minimum 3.2 GPA is required for consideration. Applicants below this threshold are encouraged to retake coursework to improve their GPA before applying.
Do You Accept Advanced Placement (AP) Credits?
AP credits are not accepted for any PA Program prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution with a grade of C or higher.
However, undergraduate (BS/MS) applicants may be able to transfer AP or dual-enrollment credits toward other undergraduate degree requirements, but not toward PA-specific prerequisites.
Do You Require the GRE for Graduate (MS) Applications?
The GRE is not required. Seton Hill uses a holistic review process that evaluates academic performance, healthcare experience, and readiness for the program rather than standardized test scores.
What are the Healthcare and Shadowing Requirements?
Graduate-entry (MS) applicants are required to complete a minimum of 300 hours of direct patient care experience, which may be either paid or volunteer, and to shadow three physician assistants in different specialties for at least four hours each. All direct patient care and shadowing requirements must be completed by the time of matriculation if the applicant is accepted into the program. Applicants may apply with outstanding hours as long as they are actively working toward completing them prior to the program start date.
Undergraduate-entry (BS/MS) applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of both healthcare/patient contact and physician assistant shadowing.
Are Transfer Students Accepted into this Program?
Direct transfers into the BS/MS or MS PA Programs are not accepted.
However, undergraduate students may transfer into Seton Hill in another major before applying to the MS Program.
Are Seton Hill Alumni Given Preference in Admission Decisions?
When Are Transcripts Reviewed?
How Does the Waitlist Work?
Curriculum and Student Experience
What is the Faculty to Student Ratio?
Lecture Courses: 1 instructor per 50 students
Lab Courses: 1 instructor per 13 students
Problem-Based Learning: Small groups of 10–12 students
Can a Student Enroll Part-Time?
What is the Class Schedule?
Undergraduate (BS/MS) class schedule can differ for each student, depending on their choice of courses.
Graduate-level classes typically run 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., with occasional evening or Saturday sessions.
During the clinical phase, students complete a minimum of 36–40 hours per week of patient care, which may include evenings, weekends, or night shifts.
Can I Work While I'm Enrolled?
How Do Clinical Rotations Get Set Up?
Cost and Financial Information
What Does the Program Cost?
Graduate program tuition and fees can be found here.
Students in the five-year BS/MS program pay undergraduate tuition and fees (with scholarships applied) for the first 3.5 years and graduate tuition and fees for the final three terms.
Can I Get a Refund If I Change My Mind?
How Much is the Admission (Seat) Deposit?
Graduate-entry (MS) students: $1,000 nonrefundable deposit, applied to tuition.
BS/MS students: $800 non-refundable deposit, credited when they enter the graduate phase.
Both deposits serve to guarantee a seat in the program.
Program Outcomes and Accreditation
What is the PA Program's Accreditation Status?
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Seton Hill University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. More details on Seton Hill's accreditation status.
This marks more than 25 years of continued accreditation of Seton Hill's PA program and it longstanding commitment to excellence in PA education.
Do Seton Hill Graduates Become Certified Physician Assistants?
We're Here to Help!
Contact the Office of Graduate and Online Studies at gadmit@setonhill.edu or (724) 838-4208.