There are two pathways for students to apply to Elizabethtown College’s Physician Assistant program. High school seniors can apply for our B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant Program option that provides a provisional seat in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Students will be required to complete a series of required academic courses and maintain a minimum science and cumulative GPA to remain in the program.

• Completing the combined program allows a student to complete the Master of Physician Assistant Degree in a shorter period of time with potentially less cost.
• Foundational coursework taught by Elizabethtown College faculty.
• First-year, provisional acceptance into the Master of Physician Assistant Program, as long as criteria are maintained.

Students applying for the B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant Program are required to have an academic GPA of 3.5, which will be recalculated using only academic course work, and an SAT score of 1100 or an ACT of 22.

As a result of the competitive nature of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, not all students meeting the minimum requirement will be offered a seat in the B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant Program.

• Priority Deadline: Nov. 3
• General Deadline: Dec. 3
• Final Deadline: Jan. 15, 2026

No, the B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant Program does not offer rolling admissions.

Admissions decisions related to admission to the College, merit scholarship, and admission to the B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant Program will be released by the end of each January.

Up to 20 students will be accepted to the B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant Program each year.

The B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant track and the Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs are competitive. Some applicants may be offered the option to be on a waitlist. As seats in the B.S./M.S. program become available, students on the waitlist may be offered a seat in the program. Once the program is full, we will communicate this with students on the waitlist.

No, we do not accept AP or dual enrollment credits for any prerequisite courses in the graduate program.

Students in the Physician Assistant Studies program can study abroad or participate in other international learning experiences during May Term or scheduled breaks within their first six semesters.

Yes, students in the B.S./M.S. program are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities—such as varsity athletics, clubs, organizations, music, and community service—until they reach their fourth year of the program, when they begin the graduate-level curriculum.

• Students must maintain an undergraduate overall GPA and separately the program prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 in year one, 3.2 in year two, and 3.4 in year three.
• Students must complete and submit a minimum of 400 patient care healthcare exposure hours as well as a minimum of 20 hours shadowing a PA-C. By the start of fall semester in year 2, 100 hours must be completed and submit. By the start of fall semester in year 3, 250 hours must be completed and submit. By the end of spring semester in year three the full 400 hours (and PA-C shadowing) must be completed and submit.
• Students cannot withdrawal from any pre-requisite classes and all pre-requisite classes need to be taken at Etown. Leave of absences will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Students must obtain a C or higher in all program pre-requisite classes.

No, transfers are not able to apply to join the B.S./M.S. program. However, transfer students can pursue a degree in Biology, Health Professions Concentration, and apply for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.

While completing undergraduate courses, students will pay undergraduate tuition for the first six semesters. Students will begin to pay graduate course tuition and additional program fees at the start of their seventh semester.

Elizabethtown College PA program graduate tuition can be found on the graduate program details page, in the Cost Schedule section.

The B.S./M.S. physician assistant program spans 5 years, with students beginning the Master’s program in the summer before their fourth year. Although they enter the graduate program at this time, the bachelor’s degree is not conferred until December of the fourth year, after completing eight semesters. The summer and fall semesters of the fourth year also count toward fulfilling the undergraduate degree requirements.

Students must complete a minimum of 400 patient care healthcare exposure hours to satisfy requirements for application to the PA program and shadow a PA-C for a minimum of 20 hours. Additional hours are encouraged. Healthcare exposure hours must be submitted prior to published deadlines for review and approval by the PA program.

• Direct Patient Care (unlimited): Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Military Corpsman, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist, Speech Therapist, Surgical Technician, Phlebotomist, Radiology Technician, Athletic Trainer, Medical Scribe
• Partial Patient Care (maximum 50 hours): Perfusionist, Laboratory Technician, Orderly/Transporter
• Medical Experience without Patient Contact (maximum 25 hours): Pharmaceutical Representative, Medical Research, Pharmacy Technician
• Observation (must have 20 hours shadowing a PA-C, maximum total of all observation 50 hours): Physician Assistant (minimum 20 hours required), Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife

Note: Failure to comply with any of the above requirements will result in loss of direct entry placement. Students who lose their direct entry seats will be eligible for application to the program through the Graduate admissions process.

Healthcare Exposure Information and Form