Marist College PA Program Draws Attention For Outcomes
- 01. Marist College PA Program: Complete Overview of the MS in Physician Assistant Studies
- 02. Program Structure and Duration
- 03. Key Program Statistics and Facts
- 04. Admission Requirements and Standards
- 05. State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology
- 06. Clinical Rotation Sites and Healthcare Partnerships
- 07. Program Mission and Values
- 08. Tuition and Financial Information
- 09. Application Process and Timeline
- 10. Faculty and Student Support
- 11. Why Choose Marist's PA Program
- 12. Contact Information
Marist College PA Program: Complete Overview of the MS in Physician Assistant Studies
Marist College's Physician Assistant program is a 24-month, 90-credit Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies that prepares students for the PANCE certification exam and clinical practice, featuring a 12-month didactic phase followed by a 12-month clinical rotation phase with a 97% first-time PANCE pass rate.
Program Structure and Duration
The MS in Physician Assistant Studies operates as a full-time program with two distinct 12-month phases that systematically build competency from foundational science to clinical practice.
- Didactic Phase (Months 1-12): Students complete 57 credits of classroom-based learning covering applied basic sciences, clinical medicine core areas, ethical responsibilities, behavioral health aspects, and public health dimensions
- Clinical Phase (Months 13-24): Students complete seven 5-week core rotations plus two electives across family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, behavioral/mental health, emergency medicine, and geriatrics
Key Program Statistics and Facts
Marist's PA program outcomes demonstrate exceptional performance with data-backed results that distinguish it from competing programs in the region.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Program Duration | 24 months (full-time) | |
| Total Credits | 90 credits | |
| Class Capacity | 60 students | |
| First-time PANCE Pass Rate | 97% | |
| Overall PANCE Pass Rate | 100% | |
| Clinical Hours Required | Minimum 500 hours | |
| Accreditation Status | Accreditation-Continued (ARC-PA) | |
| Next Validation Review | March 2030 | |
| Median PA Salary | $115,390 annually | |
| Job Growth Outlook | 31% over next decade |
Admission Requirements and Standards
Marist has raised admission standards quietly while maintaining accessibility, requiring applicants to meet specific academic benchmarks that ensure student success in this rigorous program.
- No time limit courses: General Biology I with Lab (4 credits), General Biology II with Lab (4 credits), General Chemistry I with Lab (4 credits), General Chemistry II with Lab (4 credits), Statistics (3 credits)
- Seven-year time limit courses: Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits), Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits), Microbiology with Lab (4 credits), Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4 credits), Biochemistry I OR Organic Chemistry II (3 credits, lab not required)
- Must complete prior to matriculation: Medical Terminology
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology
Marist PA students access cutting-edge facilities housed in the Science and Allied Health Building, including a gross anatomy laboratory with 10 donors, a 10-bed skills laboratory, and a technologically advanced clinical simulation suite.
The clinical simulation suite features a twin trauma bay, five traditional exam rooms, standardized patients, and high-tech manikins including Sim Man 3G and "Harvey," the cardiopulmonary patient simulator, providing realistic training environments.
Clinical Rotation Sites and Healthcare Partnerships
Marist's Hudson River Valley location enables extensive clinical rotation sites within a 60-mile radius, with a strategic partnership with Nuvance Health opening doors to physician assistant, physical therapy, and lab science careers.
The regional healthcare community provides tremendous support, hosting students at wide varieties of clinical sites including in-patient, out-patient, operating room, and emergency room environments across all life stages from newborn to end-of-life care.
Program Mission and Values
The Marist Physician Assistant Studies program is committed to graduating entry-level, competent healthcare providers trained to practice ethically and culturally sensitive medicine in a team environment, with lifelong learning commitment to community service.
"The heart of Marist is our dedication to the service of others. This passion manifests itself in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program."
This values-driven perspective emphasizes global health practices and caring for the underserved, from Indian Health Services to local clinics, aligning with Marist's broader educational mission.
Tuition and Financial Information
Marist offers frozen tuition throughout the duration of the program, meaning your tuition rate remains the same from enrollment through graduation, plus financial aid options are available for qualified students.
A $1,500 seat deposit is required upon acceptance, and international students are not accepted into the program, though TOEFL scores are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for high school graduates outside the United States.
Application Process and Timeline
All application materials must be sent through CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) with verification by November 1st and admission requirements completed by January 15th for consideration.
- Submit complete application through CASPA with all materials verified by November 1st
- Complete all admission requirements including prerequisite courses, clinical hours, and letters of recommendation by January 15th
- Attend required personal interview as part of decision criteria
- Submit personal statement demonstrating understanding of physician assistant role
- Pay $1,500 seat deposit upon acceptance
Faculty and Student Support
Dedicated faculty members in the PA Program are determined to help students succeed, with past students earning scholarships from the National Health Service Corps, Area Health Education Centers, and the Air Force through faculty guidance.
Program director Jeff Midgley, M.S., PA-C leads the program and can be contacted at 575-3592 or Jeffrey.midgley@marist.edu for program-specific questions.
Why Choose Marist's PA Program
Marist's distinctive program features include the Point of Care Ultrasound Clinical Elective Rotation, which teaches innovative diagnostic approaches not commonly available in other PA programs.
The program's position within the Hudson River Valley community creates a pipeline to meaningful healthcare work in a region facing critical talent shortages, shaping next-generation leaders in care, innovation, and community health.
Contact Information
For additional information about the Marist PA program, contact the Graduate Admissions office at 877-7900, fax 575-3166, or email graduate@marist.edu.
The program is located at 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 in the new Science and Allied Health Building, with upcoming information sessions available through marist.edu/rsvp.
What are the most common questions about Marist College Pa Program Draws Attention For Outcomes?
What GPA do you need for Marist PA program?
The academic standard for admission is a 3.0 overall GPA, combined with a 3.0 GPA for science courses and a 3.0 BCP (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) GPA, with all prerequisite courses completed with grades of "C" or above.
How many clinical hours are required for Marist PA program?
Applicants must complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours that includes direct, hands-on patient care experience before application submission.
Is the GRE required for Marist PA program admission?
The GRE is not required for admission to Marist's Physician Assistant Studies program, though applicants must submit three letters of recommendation including at least one from a Physician or PA and one from a supervisor.
What prerequisite courses are required for Marist PA program?
Applicants must complete specific prerequisite courses with no time limit (General Biology I & II with labs, General Chemistry I & II with labs, Statistics) and courses within a seven-year time limit (Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs, Microbiology with lab, Organic Chemistry I with lab, Biochemistry I or Organic Chemistry II).
When does Marist PA program start?
The class start month is May, with the program beginning each spring and running for 24 months through full-time enrollment.
Is Marist PA program accredited?
Yes, Marist's PA program holds Accreditation-Continued status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the highest accreditation level granted when programs comply with ARC-PA Standards, with next validation review scheduled for March 2030.
