Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program sponsored by Weill Cornell Medical College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2033. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-weill-cornell/ .

Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to providing an environment that fosters mutual respect, the values of professionalism, ethics, and humanism in the practice of medicine as a physician assistant. The environment thus created will be conducive to learning the importance of the professional duties each student is about to assume. Of paramount importance is to understand the individuality and importance of each person the students will come in contact with throughout both training and practice, taking into account the value of human diversity. This includes patients, colleagues, fellow students, and above all self.

Each student will be expected to perform at the best of his or her abilities. This requires that faculty, students and administrative and support staff treat each other with civility without limiting appropriate teaching techniques and styles that advance and stimulate the educational environment in order to foster critical thinking and encourage professional leadership. Students will be presented with sufficient information to develop a medical knowledge base and the skills required to refine and expand the knowledge base throughout a professional career, sharpen and hone clinical skills, and comport oneself as a professional in all situations.

The following specific educational goals have been established for the Physician Assistant Program.

1. The Program will enroll highly qualified students that successfully complete the curriculum and graduate from the program.
2. The Program will foster on-time graduation rates, supporting students throughout the pre-clinical and clinical phases of their PA education with comprehensive academic and professional evaluation and intervention as required.
3. Program graduates will possess the medical knowledge that is required to begin to practice as a Physician Assistant.   
4. The Program will facilitate mastery of technical skills in students nearing program completion, including patient assessment techniques (history taking, physical examination skills) and basic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (phlebotomy, intravenous access, injections, etc.)

1. Knowledge of Practice
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to acute, chronic, urgent, and emergent patient-centered care of all persons across the lifespan. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1.1 Demonstrate critical thinking in all clinical encounters.
1.2 Apply principles of epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and biochemistry to identify health problems, risk factors, diagnostic and treatment resources, and disease prevention/health promotion strategies for all persons across the lifespan.
1.3 Acknowledge and address social determinants that affect access to high-quality healthcare.
1.4 Utilize technological advancements that safely manage patient information, promote patient-centered delivery of care, and increase access to healthcare.

2. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Demonstrate effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, patient- identified family or proxies, and health professionals. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

2.1 Establish trusted therapeutic relationships with patients and patient-identified family or proxies to ensure needs and goals are met through the delivery of person-centered care.
2.2 Recognize the cultural norms, needs, influences, and socioeconomic, environmental, and other population-level determinants to optimize communication with clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders.
2.3 Communicate effectively, equitably, and respectfully to elicit, share, and document accurate information necessary to the delivery of high-quality care and services that are responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
2.4 Demonstrate emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, honesty, and compassion in all interactions and conversations, including discussions pertaining to sensitive topics.
2.5 Recognize communication barriers and demonstrate the application of effective interpersonal, oral, written, and adjunctive means of addressing communication needs.
2.6 Clearly communicate risks and benefits of treatment plans and informed consent, adjusting to patient communication needs when necessary.

3. Person-Centered Care (3A & 3B)
Provide person-centered care that includes patient- and setting-specific evaluation. Ensure healthcare management that is evidence-based, supports patient safety, and advances health equity. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

3A) CLINICAL and TECHNICAL SKILLS

3A.1 Create a non-judgmental, trusting environment in all clinician-patient interactions.
3A.2 Gather accurate patient-centered history and physical examination data in support of holistic patient care.
3A.3 Elicit and acknowledge environmental and cultural influences affecting patient life-stories and healthcare realities.
3A.4 Perform, in a safe manner, core technical procedures common in PA medical and surgical practices, including but not limited to simple suturing, IV placement, Foley catheter placement, ABG procurement, phlebotomy, and intramuscular/intradermal/subcutaneous injections.

3B) CLINICAL REASONING and PROBLEM SOLVING

3B.1 Interpret patient-specific data collected from laboratory, imaging studies and procedures based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment to make informed patient-centered care decisions.
3B.2 Recognize and gather appropriate diagnostic test results, formulate a differential diagnosis and counsel/educate/empower patients and caregivers, enabling shared decision-making and patient-care collaboration.
3B.3 Apply principles of biomedical and clinical sciences to clinical problem-solving and other evidence-based general practice skills.

4. Interprofessional Collaboration
Demonstrate the ability to engage with a variety of other healthcare professionals in a manner that optimizes safe, effective, patient- and population-centered care. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

4.1 Work effectively with other health professionals to provide collaborative, patient-centered care while maintaining a climate of mutual respect, dignity, diversity, ethical integrity, and trust.
4.2 Communicate effectively with other professionals to establish and enhance interprofessional team dynamics, striving to improve patient outcomes.
4.3 Identify how healthcare professionals can collaborate and integrate clinical care and public health initiatives to optimize patient care delivery.
4.4 Recognize when to refer patients to other disciplines to ensure they receive optimal care.

5. Professionalism and Ethics
Demonstrate a commitment to practicing medicine in ethically and legally appropriate ways, and emphasizing professional maturity and accountability for delivering safe and high-quality care to patients and populations. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

5.1 Adhere to established standards of care in the role of the PA in the healthcare team.
5.2 Demonstrate compassion, confidentiality, flexibility, civility, and respect when adapting to practice changes or during the delivery of team-based patient-centered care.
5.3 Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to patients, the PA program, and the profession.
5.4 Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness to a diverse professional and patient population, including, but not limited to, diversity in sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, and abilities.
5.5 Demonstrate individual accountability and the ability to recognize personal limitations, admit mistakes and errors, accept constructive feedback, and commit to a path of lifelong learning and improvement.
5.6 Demonstrate commitment to personal wellness and self-care.
5.7 Implement leadership practices and principles.
5.8 Exhibit an understanding of the regulatory environment, and the laws and regulations regarding professional practice.

6. Practice-based Learning and Quality Improvement
Critical analysis of one’s own practice experience, evolving medical knowledge and commitment to lifelong learning and practice improvement. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

6.1 Access and interpret current and credible sources of medical information.
6.2 Exhibit self-awareness to identify strengths, address weaknesses, and recognize limits in knowledge and expertise.
6.3 Implement new knowledge, guidelines, standards, technologies, or services that have been demonstrated to positively affect patient outcomes.
6.4 Identify improvement goals and perform learning activities that address gaps in knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
6.5 Recognize the impact of evidence-based information and quality assurance initiatives in the holistic approach to patient-centered team-based care.

7. Society and Population Health
Recognize and understand the influences of the ecosystem of person, family, population, environment, and policy on the health of patients and integrate knowledge of these determinants of health into patient care decisions. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

7.1 Recognize the influence of genetic, socioeconomic, environmental, and other determinants on the provision of healthcare for an individual and a community.
7.2 Recognize different types of healthcare access systems and insurance coverage including Medicare and Medicaid as payors.
7.3 Demonstrate awareness, accountability, responsibility, and leadership in patient advocacy by addressing barriers to healthcare.

All graduates of the Weill Cornell Graduate School MSHS Physician Assistant Program are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). The following is the pass rate for first-time takers:

NCCPA Performance Program Report 2025

Tuition consists of three academic years 6 months, 12 months, and 9 months. Please click below for details.

Class of 2027

Class of 2026

Class of 2025

If a student has pending financial aid, finance charges are waived and tuition will be deducted as the disbursement of loan money arrives. 

Please note that this tuition cost is set for the entire period of continuous matriculation at the PA Program. This policy is subject to change. 

Reimbursement for withdrawal is as follows:  If a student withdraws during the first week of didactic classes a $500.00 administrative fee is assessed.

Withdrawal during the 2‑4th week: 70%, 

Withdrawal during the 5‑8th week: 50%,

Withdrawal during the 9‑12th week: 25%,

13th week and beyond:  No refund.

Prior to Reimbursement all College property and/or equipment must be returned.

This tuition reimbursement policy holds for each of the three academic years. 

Any individual who owes money to the University and/or has not returned any of the following items: clinic plate, I.D’s., program equipment, library books, beeper, copy card, education center access card, will not be allowed to register or re‑register in the University, receive a transcript of his or her record, have his or her academic credits certified, be granted a leave of absence, apply for or retain student housing, receive their certificate of completion or degree.

FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO GRADUATION:

1.  All outstanding fees owed to the University must be paid by cashier’s check.
2.  All requests for reimbursement must be submitted.

All students must make appropriate arrangements for settlement of all financial obligations to Weill Cornell including but not limited to tuition, housing, equipment, and library fees as well as the return of pagers and ID badges prior to graduation.

Applying to the MSHS PA Program is a two-step process: 1) (CASPA) application and 2) Personal Interview.

1. Application. Application must be made through CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants)<https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login>. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials arrive at CASPA in advance of the MSHS PA Program’s deadline date (see below). Completed CASPA applications are processed and verified by CASPA and applicant information is forwarded to the MSHS PA Program for review. This application includes 2 WCM-specific questions.
2. Personal Interview. After review of the CASPA application, the most competitive applicants will be invited for an interview with the MSHS PA Program Admissions Committee Members.

The following are the requirements for the 2025-2026 application cycle:

• CASPA Application: An online CASPA application will be made available as early as April 24, 2025. Applicants must have completed and electronically submitted (“e-submitted” or an “e-submission”) an online CASPA application no later than August 1st, 2025. NOTE: Any specific requirements that must be included with the e-submitted application are described below.

• Bachelor’s Degree: All applicants must have earned a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent no later than December 31, 2025. The applicant must self-report their degree information on their CASPA application before e-submission. Proof of degree conferral will be required prior to matriculation.

• Prerequisite Coursework: The minimum course requirements include:

• 2 (two) courses of Biology (each course must have a lab component);
• 2 (two) courses of Chemistry (each course must have a lab component);
• 1 (one) course of Microbiology (lab component strongly recommended)
• 1 (one) course of Biochemistry (lab component strongly recommended)
•  Anatomy and Physiology; (This requirement may be fulfilled by a combined “Anatomy & Physiology” course sequence OR a course in Anatomy AND a course in Physiology)
• 1 (one) course of English Composition (or college-level equivalent- rhetoric or college writing course)

The applicant must self-report the above course information (i.e. courses in progress or anticipated coursework) on their CASPA application prior to e-submission. The MSHS PA Program may request applicants to provide transcripts that include these courses at any time. It is strongly recommended that all prerequisite courses be completed prior to applying. Science prerequisites should be completed within 10 years of application submission.

• Other Coursework: Courses in statistics, medical terminology, and/or research methods are recommended.

• Graduate Record Examination: All applicants are required to take the General GREAptitude Test (which must include: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing components) prior to e-submission. Applicants must request Educational Testing Service (www.ETS.org) to send official score reports to CASPA. These official scores must arrive at CASPA no later than August 1, 2025. Applications that post a GRE testing date after their CASPA-reported e-submission date will not be considered. (The Weill Cornell Medicine PA Program – CASPA Designated Institution Code is: 0479). The MSHS PA Program does not have a minimum GRE score requirement.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): All applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination. Application to take the TOEFL may be made directly to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151. The Weill Cornell Medicine Institution Code Number is 2119. Applicants must report having taken the TOEFL on their CASPA application prior to e-submission. Official TOEFL score reports should be sent to Weill Cornell Medicine (Code 2119) and received no later than August 1, 2025, for verification.

• Computer Literacy: It is expected that all entering students possess a basic working knowledge of computer usage including applications for word processing, spreadsheet creation and presentation design (e.g. Microsoft® Word, Microsoft® Excel, and Microsoft® PowerPoint).

• Grade Point Average: The MSHS PA Program expects its applicants to have maintained an undergraduate average of "B" or better and a score of "B" or better in all prerequisites. NOTE: The most recently admitted class had an average overall GPA of 3.74 and an average science GPA of 3.66.

• Health Care Experience (HCE): All applicants are required to have a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient HCE prior to applying. These hours must be completed and accurately self-reported on their CASPA application prior to e-submission. These hours may be satisfied by either paid or volunteer experiences and require hands-on patient contact.

• Shadowing: Shadowing of a physician assistant in a variety of clinical settings is strongly recommended.

• Community Service: Community service reflects dedication to and support of one's community and is strongly recommended.

• Letters of Reference: At least two (2) references/letters of recommendation are required as part of the initial CASPA application of which, one letter must be from a Physician or Physician Assistant and one letter must be of an academic type (i.e. from a prior instructor). Only letters of reference/recommendations that are included in the CASPA application before e-submission will be accepted to meet this requirement.

• Transcript Evaluation (as necessary): All candidates that are foreign graduates are required to submit a complete transcript evaluation (to American college equivalency) to CASPA. The MSHS PA Program will not review any CASPA-generated applicant profiles until all foreign transcript evaluations have arrived at CASPA and are forwarded to the MSHS PA Program by August 1, 2025. Foreign transcripts may be evaluated by the following:

      World Education Services, Inc
      Fax: 212-739-6100
      www.wes.org

• The PA program grants preference for admission to individuals with the following:

• Strong academic preparation:
• GPAs 3.5 or higher
• GRE scores >50%
• rigorous coursework such as taking multiple science courses at once
• highly ranked undergraduate university/college
• research experience

• Strong letters of recommendation

• Written work in personal statement and essays that express originality, thoughtfulness, creativity, and reflect why you want to become a Physician Assistant

• Community service reflects dedication to and support of one's community and is strongly recommended.

• Leadership positions

• Patient care experience hours above the minimum requirement

• Life experience (examples include military service, travel and exposure to other countries/cultures, PA shadowing, overcoming adversity etc.)

• Cornell University or Weill Cornell Medicine affiliation such as volunteer, student, employee

• CASPA applications that include all the requirements described above will be carefully reviewed. Applicant information considered during admissions decision-making includes additional/advanced coursework, evidence of science course rigor, healthcare experiences, life experiences, leadership opportunities, information from letters of reference, and extent of research and community service.  

• All candidates accepted for admission must comply with Weill Cornell Medicine and Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program's Policies and Procedures* (See Student webpage for link.)

• Advanced Placement: The MSHS PA Program does not grant advanced placement to applicants.

• Technical Standards: All applicants must meet our technical standards as follows: