Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the Physician Assistant Program at York College.

When does the program begin, and how many students are accepted yearly?

The program begins every fall and we accept a maximum of 30 students per year.

How do I apply to the program?

The York College PA Master’s Program utilizes a two-step application process:

1. The Initial Application (CASPA): All candidates must first apply through the CASPA website. This application is separate from the general CUNY application.

2. York College Application (By Invitation Only): If you are selected for an interview, you will then be invited to apply to York College. At that stage, you will receive specific email instructions on how to complete the college application and pay the required $75 processing fee (via check or money order).

Apart from the CASPA costs, are there additional fees required by York College?

Yes, Once you have been selected for an interview, you will be asked to pay a $75 York College processing fee. This must be completed before an interview can be scheduled. If you are transferring from another CUNY campus, a CUNY deposit of $250 is required, which will be applied to your tuition once matriculated.

When does the program begin to accept applications and supporting documents?

For the 2026-2027 cycle, prospective students may begin submitting their applications and uploading their documents to CASPA’s website approximately April 30, 2026

When is the application deadline?

December 1st. All applications must be verified by CASPA by 11:50 pm ET December 1st. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions approximately by March 1st.

To ensure an application is verified on time, the application should be completed at least four weeks before the deadline.

Can I attend the program part-time?

No, the Physician Assistant Program is a full-time, 28-month program. There are no part-time evening or weekend classes.

Can I upload my application and supporting documents to CASPA’s website before I apply to York?

Yes, that is the policy.

What is the cost of the program?

For tuition and fees information see pages 8-9 in the tuition and fees section of the PA Program brochure. You may also contact the Bursar’s Office at 718-262-2186 or see the Tuition and Fees webpage.

Do you offer student loans?

For student loan information you may contact Student Financial Services at (718) 262-2230, room AC1M08, or go to Private Loans Webpage.

Does the PA Program offer any scholarships?

No, However, the college may have options available. You can check with the college's scholarship office at Scholarships@york.cuny.edu or visit the scholarship center.

Do you have clinical sites where I can acquire my healthcare experience hours?

If you email the PA program at paprogram@york.cuny.edu we can send you a list of local facilities that have volunteer opportunities or that allow “shadowing” of medical personnel.

Please note that prospective or current PA students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors for the program.

Does the program accept virtual shadowing hours as a healthcare experience?

No, Virtual healthcare hours are not accepted.

Do I have to complete all the prerequisites before applying to the program?

No. Please see pages 4-5 of the PA Admission Brochure for additional details.

Are online courses satisfactory for your prerequisite requirements?

Yes, we accept online prerequisite courses as long as they are completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution. However, because our PA program curriculum is delivered entirely in person, we strongly encourage applicants to complete their prerequisite coursework in a traditional classroom setting to best prepare for the rigor of our learning environment. 

Do you accept statistic courses other than regular statistics ex: biostatistics?

Yes, however, the program may need to review the course description for approval. If you are unsure if your course is accepted by this program, you can email your course description to pacoursereview@york.cuny.edu. The course will be reviewed and a response will be sent at that time.

Do you accept any type of psychology course to fulfill the psychology prerequisite requirement?

Yes.

Does the program accept transfer courses from professional or medical programs?

No, the PA Program does not grant advanced standing, transfer credit, or credit for prior experiential learning. All students must complete the full curriculum regardless of previous experience

If I completed the didactic year of a PA Program at a different school; will your program accept my PA Program courses?

No. The program does not accept any course(s) completed at another PA program.

I took organic chemistry and did not realize I had to take biochemistry. Can I substitute organic chemistry for biochemistry?

No, the program does not allow any substitutions for any of the science prerequisite courses.

Will all of the science courses I have taken be included in my science GPA?

No, only the PA Program’s non-expired eight (8) science prerequisite courses, including all repeats.

Is the GRE required for this PA Program?

No. The program does not use the GRE or any other standardized testing when making admission decisions. 

Does the program accept pass/fail grades for the science prerequisite courses?

No. However, an exception is for courses taken during the COVID-19 Pandemic period, which include the courses that were taken during the Spring 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 semesters.

What is the average science GPA for applicants?

The program’s 5-year average Science GPA for accepted students is 3.64. 

What is the average number of Healthcare hours for applicant?

The program’s 5-year average patient care experience (PCE) hours for accepted students is 2560. 

How many times can an applicant apply to our PA Program?

Twice. However, applicants considering applying for the third time must submit a petition before applying. This requires a formal letter addressed to the admission committee and emailed to paprogram@york.cuny.edu. 

At what point during the admission cycle are acceptance letters sent out?

The program operates on a rolling admission basis. Applications are continually being reviewed, and decisions are being made throughout the process.  

Can you be accepted into the PA Program if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States?

Yes. The York College PA Program does not exclude students based on immigration status. Students eligible for acceptance to CUNY are eligible to apply. However, because PA students rotate at clinical sites that require background checks and would need to obtain licensure before being able to practice medicine, appropriate and valid documents may be required for such purposes. 

Can you take the certification exam if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States?

Yes. You may be eligible to sit for the exam if you graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant Program and meet all other requirements set forth by the certifying agency. You can get additional information by visiting NCCPA’s website.

Can you work or practice as a Physician Assistant if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States?

State law requirements vary. It is strongly encouraged to seek legal help on such matters.

The CUNY Citizenship Now office may also be helpful.

Does the York College, CUNY PA Program prefer certain types of applicants?

The program does not discriminate among applicants. It uses a holistic selection process to attract and recruit applicants consistent with its mission. See page ten (10) of the PA Admission Brochure (this brochure) for additional details about our selection criteria. 

What type of college degree will I acquire after I graduate from the program?

Students who graduate from the PA program receive a Master of Science (MS) degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

Can students who graduate with their BS in Physician Assistant Studies at York come back to complete the MS program?

No, this will not be possible since, with the transition, many of the PA courses offered for the BS will also be offered for the MS program.

Can I update my application after it has been verified by CASPA?

Yes, you can update your application until the current CASPA cycle closes in March. 

Can I update my Patient Care Experience (PCE) hours after I submit my CASPA application?

Yes, you may submit updates for PCE hours. However, please be advised that to ensure a fair and consistent review process for all candidates, the Admissions Committee primarily utilizes the data available at the time of your initial CASPA submission for preliminary scoring and triage. Post-submission updates are reviewed but are subject to internal administrative caps. We recommend that candidates apply only when they feel their PCE hours accurately reflect their competitiveness.

Can graduates of the York College, CUNY PA Program obtain licensure on other states?

Yes, York College has determined that its Physician Assistant program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 U.S. States and territories. This determination is based on the universal requirements for licensure, which include graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited program and passing the PANCE offered by the NCCPA. While the York College degree satisfies the educational component, each state may have its own specific noneducational requirements (such as background checks, fees, or specific state-mandated training). Applicants and students are strongly encouraged to check with their individual state licensing board regarding these additional requirements.

Please note: Interviews for the Fall class will commence in the preceding Fall into the Spring semester. Applicants who have submitted a completed verified application, all required documentation, and meet all the criteria for an interview will be called first. The program currently admits a maximum of 30 students per year and interviews will continue until the program officials deem necessary. Every attempt will be made to notify candidates by March 1st.