Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Back to TopAdmissions Process

Admission Requirements

• Completed CASPA application by 4/1/2027 (Opens 10/1/2026)
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university by 6/1/2027
• Minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • The CASPA-calculated overall and BCP GPAs are utilized for admission. Please note that every course taken at any college-level institution will be included in the overall GPA and BCP GPA, including repeated coursework. Use the GPA calculator to see how CASPA will calculate your GPA. Calculating Your CASPA GPAs – Liaison 
• • Minimum letter grade of C in all prerequisite courses * within 10 years prior to program admission by 6/1/2027:
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab – minimum 6 semester credit hours
    • Microbiology with lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours
    • Genetics – minimum 3 semester credit hours
    • General Chemistry I with lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours
    • General Chemistry II with lab – minimum 4 semester credit hours
    • Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry – minimum 3 semester credit hours
    • Psychology (Introductory or Developmental) – minimum 3 semester credit hours
    • Statistics – minimum 3 semester credit hours
    • Medical Terminology – minimum 1 semester credit hour  

      *All prerequisite courses must be completed from a regionally accredited university.
      *Upon prerequisite review, please note that a course description will be reviewed by the admissions committee prior to approval.

• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation
• Direct patient contact hours required – no minimum; hours must be completed after turning 18 years old (Due by 6/1/2027)
• Volunteer hours required – no minimum; hours must be completed within the past 5 years (Due by 6/1/2027)
• For non-native speakers of English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 or above on the written test, 213 or above on the computer-generated test, 79 or above on the internet-based exam, or 4.0 or above on the new 1–6 scale (effective January 21, 2026); OR an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or above.
• $500 non-refundable deposit within 2 weeks following admission offer
• Completion of a satisfactory background check and urine drug screen assigned by the program within 60 days prior to program matriculation
  • Any violations/abnormalities noted will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• Completion of a physical exam within 1 year prior to program matriculation, including signature from the provider verifying the student meets program technical standards
• Proof of immunization based on current CDC recommendations for health professionals
• Proof of TB Test within the past year (positive results will require the student to receive a chest x-ray and further evaluation)
• Proof of health insurance
• Successful completion of an on-campus interview 

  Brescia University Physician Assistant Program is not permitted to admit or enroll international students.

  Brescia University Physician Assistant Program will not award or grant advanced placement. Prerequisite courses will not replace any course in the curriculum.  

Preferential Acceptance

Applicants to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program may qualify for preferential acceptance, which provides additional points on the applicant score sheet — see criteria listed below.

Students cannot receive combined preferential points. 

Admissions Selection Process

Students are selected based upon admission requirements, scores, and a maximum cohort size of 30 students. Applicant score sheets are completed for those that meet all requirements. Score sheets and application materials are utilized to determine invitations to on-campus interviews. Applicants invited to interview must successfully complete all interview stations (determined by interview score sheets). Interviewed applicants are not guaranteed admission to the PA Program. After a successful interview, if the number of students who qualify for preferential points exceeds the available space in the cohort, students will be considered based on the highest Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA. Ultimately, admission decisions are made by the PA Program Admissions Committee.

Following all interviews, the PA Program Admissions Committee will then determine one of the following:

• • Grant *conditional admission as a PA student;
  • Place the applicant on a waitlist; or
  • Deny admission.

If a student is denied admission, the applicant can be provided with recommendations to improve their application for a future admissions cycle.

*Conditional admission is given until a satisfactory background check, urine drug screen, immunizations, and health screenings are completed. If the student fails to meet any of the admission requirements, they will relinquish their seat in the cohort. 

For additional admissions information, please complete our inquiry form or contact the graduate admissions office at [email protected] or 270-686-4252.

Students are not responsible for securing clinical sites or preceptors. Provision of rotation sites and preceptors is the responsibility of the Brescia University Physician Assistant Program and under the direct supervision of the Clinical Coordinator.

Back to TopProgram Structure

Total Credit Hours for Program – 112 credit hours, 27 months

Didactic Phase – 69 credit hours, 16 months

Clinical Phase – 43 credit hours, 11 months

Cohort 1 Program Completion: November 17, 2028

Back to TopProgram Costs

Tuition: $17,500 plus $350 technology fee per semester

Total: $124,950

For full program costs, click here. 

Back to TopProgram Handbooks

Policies and Guidelines Handbook

Clinical Handbook

Back to TopTechnical Standards for Admission and Continuation

Candidates for the Brescia University Physician Assistant Program must be able to meet the following technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, for admission and continued enrollment:

1. Observation: Candidates must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in procedures in the basic and clinical sciences, including but not limited to, anatomic dissection, microscopic studies, and patient encounters.
2. Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team. This includes the ability to understand and speak the English language.
3. Motor Skills: Candidates must possess the physical dexterity and motor skills necessary to participate in clinical courses, including the ability to perform palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers.
4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: Candidates must be able to comprehend and process information, analyze data, and solve problems. This includes the ability to gather, organize, and assess relevant information to develop a diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Candidates must possess the emotional health, maturity, and stability required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of responsibilities, and the development of effective relationships with patients and colleagues. This includes the ability to function effectively under stress.
6. Ethical Standards: Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to the ethical principles that guide the health professions, including compassion, integrity, respect for others, and responsibility.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for qualified individuals with disabilities who can meet the technical standards. It is the responsibility of the applicant or student to request any needed accommodation.

Back to TopProgram Defined Competencies

Upon completion of the Physician Assistant Program, graduates will demonstrate competence in the following domains:

1. Medical Knowledge
   1. Recognize and differentiate normal and abnormal health states across all organ systems.
   2. Distinguish between acute, chronic, and emerging disease states across the lifespan.
   3. Apply principles of basic and clinical science to effectively diagnose and provide comprehensive patient care for both healthy and ill individuals.
2. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
   1. Formulate a well-reasoned primary diagnosis and generate appropriate differential diagnoses based on a thorough history and physical examination for a variety of preventive, acute, chronic, rehabilitative, and emergent medical conditions across the lifespan.
   2. Select and interpret relevant diagnostic laboratory and imaging studies to support clinical assessment and management.
   3. Formulate comprehensive treatment plans that incorporate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions aligned with the clinical findings.
3. Clinical and Technical Skills
   1. Demonstrate proficiency in obtaining a detailed medical history, performing an appropriate physical examination, and accurately documenting clinical findings.
   2. Safely and effectively perform diagnostic and routine therapeutic procedures.
   3. Implement evidence-based strategies for patient education, disease prevention, and health care maintenance.
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
   1. Apply verbal and non-verbal communication skills during interactions with patients, families, and members of the interprofessional health care team.
   2. Analyze medical records and interpret diagnostic findings to construct and articulate patient management plans.
   3. Exhibit strong reading, writing, and presentation skills to convey complex medical information.
5. Professional Behaviors
   1. Uphold the standards of academic integrity and professionalism.
   2. Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity in providing care that meets the unique needs of individuals and communities.
   3. Apply the core principles of medical ethics to deliver respectful, empathetic, and equitable patient care.
   4. Establish and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with members of the health care team.
   5. Understand and fulfill professional responsibilities related to licensure, certification, credentialing, reimbursement, advocacy, and adherence to legal policies and regulations governing medical practice.

Back to TopStudent Attrition

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).

**Graduation rate calculation: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).

Back to TopNCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary

NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary report from the last 5 years.

Back to TopProgram Goals

    1. Demonstrate ethical behavior and integrity in medical practice.

    2. Support effective and sensitive communication skills with patients and members of the healthcare team.

    3. Perform a complete physical exam and organize, integrate, interpret and present clinical data in a clear, concise manner.

    4. Integrate diagnostic assessment skills with knowledge of patient presentation and pharmacology to formulate appropriate treatment plans.

    5. Demonstrate mastery of basic clinical procedures performed by a PA entering into clinical practice.

    6. Demonstrate refined critical thinking skills and intellectual inquiry to evaluate sources of information and generate new and evolving medical knowledge.

    7. Collaborate effectively as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.

Click here for evidence of program’s effectiveness in meeting goals.

Back to Top

Back to TopFaculty & Staff

Blair Whitaker, MPAS, PA-C
Program Director and Chair/Assistant Professor

Brent Hayden, M.D.
Medical Director

Megan Lesnick, MSPAS, PA-C
Didactic Coordinator/Assistant Professor

Ethan Hall, MSM, PA-C
Clinical Coordinator/Assistant Professor

Ericka Mason, DPAS, MPAS, PA-C
Admissions Coordinator /Assistant Professor

David Galey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Mackenzie Cecil
Clinical Support Specialist

Stacey McCarthy
Administrative Assistant