Students in the Physician Assistant Program at Penn State College of Medicine take part in the White Coat Ceremony in 2016, during which the students receive their white coats signifying the start of their training. Three female students are seen in the foreground, reading from the event program, with a male and female student visible in the background.

Physician Assistant (PA) Program

Preparing Patient-Centered PAs

Learn the skills you need for a successful career as a physician assistant. After graduating from Penn State College of Medicine’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program you will:

  • be academically, clinically, professionally, and culturally prepared to deliver health care services;
  • develop critical thinking and application skills; and
  • be ready to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to the patients.

Our graduates will improve the health of their patients and the populations they serve in an efficient and cost-conscious manner.

Get in Touch

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About the Program

Curriculum

The Physician Assistant program at Penn State College of Medicine is a 24-month, 101-credit full-time graduate program that enrolls 30 students each May.

Students graduating from the PA Program will be awarded a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. Our first class graduated in May 2016.

Learn more about the Physician Assistant curriculum.

See our entering class profiles.

A group of students are seen standing in rows on the stairs leading into a building in November 2019.
Since 2016, students in the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Penn State College of Medicine have partnered with Rise Against Hunger to raise money to purchase food that they pack to provide to families in need. The group is pictured in November 2019 presenting a check for nearly $5,000 to Rise Against Hunger – symbolic of the funds that helped purchase the food they packed at the University Conference Center that month.

More About Penn State College of Medicine

What's New in the PA Program

Jan 9, 2020

History of Medicine speaker shares origins and evolution of physician assistant education
Nov 25, 2019

We are… doing our part to fight hunger
Nov 4, 2019

Five years of excellence: PA students continue winning streak at Challenge Bowl
Read More News

Student Resources

Penn State College of Medicine strives to create the best culture of respect and inclusion for our students. A number of programs, services and facilities are available.

See more resources for current students

Students sit in the recently remodeled Harrell Health Sciences Library at Penn State College of Medicine in July 2016.
Students sit in the recently remodeled Harrell Health Sciences Library at Penn State College of Medicine in July 2016.

Campus Life

Student Housing

Housing is available to Penn State College of Medicine students, residents and postdocs in University Manor East and West apartment complexes. One of the complexes is pictured as seen from a higher floor of a nearby building, with a road and trees framing it in the background.
Housing in University Manor apartments is available to Penn State College of Medicine students.

Penn State College of Medicine offers housing in its University Manor East or University Manor West apartments to full-time students, residents, postdoctoral scholars and visiting scholars.

Read more about on-campus housing.

Life in Hershey, PA

Penn State College of Medicine is in Hershey, PA, a town known as the home of the HersheyPark amusement park and the Hershey Chocolate Factory. Two banners depicting cartoon candy characters are seen on a light pole in downtown Hershey, PA, in summer 2016, with a brick building with large glass windows in the background.
Hershey, Pa., is known as "The Sweetest Place on Earth."

Penn State College of Medicine is located in Hershey, Pa., home of HersheyPark, a family theme park, and The Hershey Co., one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world. It's also home to diverse and delicious dining experiences, sports, concerts and entertainment.

Read more about life in Hershey.