Physician Assistant Programs in New York
For New Yorkers looking to earn a physician assistant (PA) degree, there are multiple options that can be completed without leaving the state. From Rochester Institute of Technology up north to Pace University down in Manhattan, there are campuses housing PA programs all over the state. Additionally, several universities offer online programs that can be completed by students in New York. This page was created to help you figure out how to narrow down your search!
New York PA Programs – Online vs On Campus
What factors should you consider when deciding between an online or on campus physician assistant program as a means to earn your degree? Two things you can think about are what your schedule looks like and how you learn best. Some potential questions to ask yourself can include:
- Is there time in your life to attend class at the same time every week?
- Do you learn better in an interactive environment where you can talk to peers and watch your professor deliver a live lecture?
- How much of a convenience would it be for you if you didn’t have to spend time driving to campus?
Last Update: 10/26/20
Fully Online PA Programs vs Hybrid PA Programs
There are two types of online programs that aspiring physician assistants can apply to:
Online PA Programs
A true online physician assistant program allows students to complete all of their courses online. As for non-classroom requirements such as clinical experience, these can typically be completed right in the student’s community so that they do not have to travel (check the programs you are applying to to make sure). Some online programs may require a couple of short trips to campus, such as immersion experiences where hands on skills are learned.
Hybrid PA Programs
Some programs require both online and in person courses. These programs blend face to face and distance learning and are considered hybrid physician assistant programs. While they don’t offer the same type of flexibility that online programs offer, they may still offer students a little more convenience as they require fewer trips to campus.
New York Physician Assistant Program Online Learning Formats
When choosing between online programs you will want to consider how the classes are delivered. Some programs will fall under what is known as synchronous learning – meaning that classes are conducted in real time. A synchronous learning experience can vary from school to school – sometimes it simply means students are having live discussions over chat, so make sure you know what course delivery looks like.
There are also asynchronous programs, which allow students to complete work on their own time. For students that desire more flexibility in when they complete their work, this format is designed to make that possible. There are likely fewer opportunities to interact with peers or view live lectures, but the potential upside is that added flexibility in completing your degree.
New York Physician Assistant On Campus Programs
As you already know, an on campus program is delivered in the traditional classroom setting. Typically with these programs, clinical experiences are completed in the community where the campus is located, though you should check with the schools you are applying to to be sure. On campus programs generally offer plenty of facetime with peers and professors, and are appealing to those looking for the traditional student experience.
How Long do Physician Assistant Programs Take to Complete?
Your physician assistant degree will take two and a half to four years to complete, unless you are a physician assistant already. Included in this time are all clinical components.
In general, according to American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), PA programs are approximately 27 months.
This time frame includes any clinical requirements that you need to meet in order to earn your degree, as well as the classroom requirements.
Typical Online Physician Assistant Programs Available to New York Students
The following online physician assistant programs are available to students in New York.
Note that some of these options are for students who are already certified PAs but do not hold a master’s degree:
| School | Degree level | Live classes | On-campus requirements | Length of program | Accreditation | |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
|
Doctor of science in physician- assistant studies (DScPAS) | No | None | 3 years, but accelerated program is two years | ARC-PA accreditation | |
| Pace University
|
MPAS for already- certified PAs | No | None | 12 months | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| Touro College
|
MPAS for already- certified PAs | No | None | 12 months | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| University of Nebraska – Medical Center
|
MPAS for already-certified PAs, or MPAS/MPH dual | No | None | Five semesters | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley
|
MPAS for already- certified PAs | No | None | 28 months | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| University of Wisconsin – Madison
|
MPAS | Some | First summer semester / 12 weeks | 36 months | ARC-PA accreditation | |
1ARC-PA probation is a temporary accreditation status for programs that are making substantial progress toward all accreditation standards but need more time to become compliant.
2ARC-PA provisional means that a program has the plans and resources needed to meet all accreditation standards but has not yet enrolled students; or that a program is demonstrating progress toward the standards as it prepares for its first graduating class.
On Campus PA Programs in New York
The following physician assistant programs can be found on New York campuses. There are campuses all over the state – from Albany to Long Island to the Big Apple.
| Program | City | Time to Complete | GPA Requirement |
| Albany Medical College | Albany | 28 months | None |
| Canisius College | Buffalo | 27 months | 3.0 |
| Clarkson University | Potsdam | 28 months | 3.0 |
| CUNY York College | Jamaica | 28 months | 3.0 |
| D’Youville College | Buffalo | 4.5 year combined BS and MS | 3.0 |
| Daemen College | Amherst | 33 months | 3.0 |
| Hofstra University | Hempstead | 28 months | 3.3 |
| Le Moyne College | Syracuse | 24 months | 3.0 |
| Long Island University | Brooklyn | 28 months | 3.0 |
| Marist College | Poughkeepsie | 24 months | 3.0 |
| Mercy College | Dobbs Ferry | 27 months | 3.0 |
| New York Institute of Technology | New York | 30 months | 3.0 |
| Pace University | New York | 26 months | 3.0 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester | 5 year BS/MS combined | 3.0 |
| St. Bonaventure University | Allegany | 28 months | 3.0 |
| St. John’s University | Queens | 33 months | 3.0 |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook | 24 months | 3.0 |
| SUNY Downstate | Brooklyn | 27 months | 3.0 |
| SUNY Upstate | Syracuse | 27 months | 3.0 |
| The CUNY School of Medicine | New York | 28 months | 3.0 |
| Touro College – Bay Shore | Bay Shore | 28 months | 3.0 |
| Touro College – Manhattan | Manhattan | 32 months | 3.0 |
| Wagner College | Staten Island | 36 months | 3.2 |
| Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences | New York | 26 months | 3.0 |
General Tips on How to Become a Physician Assistant in New York
To become a physician assistant in New York, here are some common steps:
- Earn your Physician Assistant Degree – This will take you about two to three and a half years. Look for physician assistant programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) to ensure you meet certification requirements in the future.
- Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) – You can learn more about the PANCE on our guide to becoming a physician assistant.
- Get Licensed – Check with the New York Office of the Professions as early as possible to make sure you are on track to meet all current requirements for licensure. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), licensure in New York requires graduation from an accredited bachelor and physician assistant program and passage of the PANCE exam. It does not require current certification by the National
- Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). This is a high-level overview, make sure to check out New York’s state board for exact requirements.