
Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
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Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Overview
Application Deadline
All applications will be considered on time if they are fully verified in CASPA by October 1. All applications must be submitted through CASPA. Additional information can be found in the below Admission Requirements section.
85 (6 terms)
The MPAS is a full-time cohort program that begins in the fall semester and is completed in six terms over 24 months.
$17,837
Cost consists of program tuition (cost per term times number of terms) as well as any applicable University and degree-specific fees. View the detailed program tuition, including information about our tuition lock program.
94%
Graduates of the program have achieved a 94% average first-time pass rate over the past five years on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).
Explore the MPAS Degree:
The MPAS program is part of Chatham’s School of Health Sciences. The School of Health Sciences has developed a strong reputation for its sought-after healthcare professionals. From high first-time certification rates to advanced clinical aptitude, our graduates enter their careers ready to meet the needs of patients and contribute to improving the quality of care their organizations deliver.
You can never teach all of medicine to any one student. If I can teach a student to think, to learn, and to be a compassionate caregiver, then I have made a difference.
— SUSAN HAWKINS, MSED, PA-C, professor emeritus

Tuition Lock Program
To reflect our commitment to your continuous enrollment and progress towards earning your degree, we’ve implemented a tuition lock program for the MPAS, meaning that as long as you are continually enrolled, what you pay in tuition your first year is what you will pay for your second.
Explore Tuition Lock Program : Checkerboard 1 - Tuition Lock Program
Problem-Based Learning
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is the cornerstone of Chatham MPAS students' first year, and an empowering method of education that sets students up for life-long learning. Come join us for a session, and find out why so many of our students say it’s THE reason they chose to come to Chatham.
Learn About PBL : Checkerboard 2 - Problem-Based Learning
Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Interprofessional education involves students from two or more health professions learning together during their training. The goal of IPE is to enhance communication and decision-making, allowing various domains of knowledge to complement each other.
Learn About IPE : Checkerboard 3 - Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Clinical Rotation Experience
Clinical rotations are a core experience of Chatham’s MPAS training. Through the seven required rotations in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Women’s Health, Psychiatry/Behavioral Health, Surgery, and various electives, students are able to become well-rounded practitioners and solid members of healthcare teams, as well as fine-tune their career aspirations.
Explore Clinical Rotations : Checkerboard 4 - Clinical Rotation Experience
Program Goals & Outcomes
To become a certified PA, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), a computer-based, multiple-choice test comprising questions that assess basic medical and surgical knowledge. Chatham graduates have averaged a 94% first-time pass rate over the past five years. The average graduation rate for the past three graduating classes is 95% (average attrition of ~5%).
View Program Goals and Outcomes : Checkerboard 5 - Program Goals & Outcomes
Student Manuals
To learn more about being an MPAS student at Chatham, please view our Student Manual (pdf) and our Clinical Student Manual (pdf).

Admitted Student Profile (Fall 2022)
- Number matriculated: 58
- Median age: 23
- Gender identification: 88% female, 12% male
- Ethnicity identification: 2% Black or African American, 5% Hispanic, 10% Asian, 90% White
- Residence: 48% Pennsylvania, 52% out-of-state
- Average cumulative overall GPA: 3.77
- Average cumulative science GPA: 3.73

Vision & Mission
The vision of Chatham's MPAS program is, "To strive for excellence in physician assistant education whose graduates are known as outstanding clinicians in the community and leaders in the profession trained by faculty who are recognized for developing and researching innovative curricular methods."
View Full Vision, Mission & Program Competencies : Checkerboard 8 - Vision & Mission
Integrated Degree Program
Chatham University offers a 3+2 Integrated Degree Program (IDP) for prospective undergraduate students looking to accelerate their path toward enrolling in the master’s program. Highly qualified first-year applicants may be eligible for admission to the PA program based on high school and undergraduate performance. Interested students should work with the undergraduate admissions team for assistance with applying to the IDP.
Learn About IDP : Checkerboard 9 - Integrated Degree Program
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Chatham University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website here. Once directed to the website, click on the document for further information about Chatham’s accreditation history.

Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more and get the answers to your questions about Chatham University's Physician Assistant Studies program, including applying, funding, clinical rotations, and more.
View FAQs : Checkerboard 11 - Frequently Asked Questions
Support a PA Student
Professor Emerita Susan Hawkins and PA Program Director Judy Truscott launched the first ever PA Student Award in honor of Susan’s retirement from Chatham University. The purpose of the Student Award is to provide recognition and financial assistance to a deserving PA Student who has completed the didactic phase of the program.
Give Now : Checkerboard 12 - Support a PA Student
Pi Alpha Honor Society
Chatham's PA program has a chapter within the Pi Alpha Honor Society. The motto of Pi Alpha is "Scholarship, Service, Leadership." The organization is committed to lifelong learning and participation in intellectual life.

InTouch Newsletters
Learn about MPAS student and faculty accomplishments, alumni achievements, and various activities that occurred over the last academic year—in Pittsburgh, and all over the country.
Read the Newsletters : Checkerboard 14 - InTouch NewslettersPhysician Assistant Studies (MPAS)



