Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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%).

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."

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.

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. 

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. 

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.