Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.

Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. Physician assistants practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program prepares our graduates to provide evidence-based, equitable health care to diverse populations and who value service to others as well as life-long learning. The physician assistant studies program is a 29-month, 105-credit-hour course of study leading to a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. This is a full-time, cohort-based program.

Application Deadline

Priority Deadline: January 15
Regular Deadline: April 1

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Important Update: Admission to the Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. program has been deferred from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026. Some of the 25 available seats are already reserved for previously admitted students, but we’re excited to welcome a new cohort and encourage you to apply. We look forward to seeing your application for Fall 2026!

What You Learn

In the didactic phase of study, students take courses in basic medical sciences, behavioral sciences and behavioral ethics. In the clinical phase, students complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations in medical and surgical disciplines, including family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine and psychiatry.

Graduates of our program will be able to:

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary for competent PA practice
Sustain a supportive and reflective learning environment that fosters empathy and a deep appreciation for diversity and inclusion
Work with partners within the University, in clinical practice and in the community to advance quality, patient-centered healthcare.

Graduates of an accredited program are recognized for licensure in all 50 states.

If you have admissions questions, contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@kean.edu or (908) 737-4723.

Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.

Admission Requirements
Attrition
Curriculum
Faculty and Staff
FAQs
Program Mission and Goals
PANCE Pass Rates
Program Policies and Competencies
Costs Related to the Program

Contact Us:
pastudies@kean.edu

Watch Video: Kean's First PA Class Receives White Coats

Application and Deadlines

Apply Now Through CASPA
Complete the Supplemental Application
Technical Standards Acknowledgement Form

The PA Program begins in the Fall Semester. Application deadlines are as follows:

CASPA "Soft" Deadline (highly recommended): January 15

CASPA "Hard" Deadline: April 1st

Review of applications will begin following each deadline and when applications have been "verified" through CASPA.
BOTH the CASPA application and the Kean University PAS supplemental application MUST be completed and "verified" by the deadline in order for the application to be fully reviewed. Kean University reserves the right to review applications received after the January deadline on an “as-needed” basis, in accordance with CASPA deadline definitions.

Physician Assistants are medical professionals who diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans and prescribe medications. They practice in every medical setting and specialty, and they often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. The profession consistently shows job growth, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 31% growth rate from 2018 to 2028.

Carol Biscardi, PA-C, Ph.D.

Director, School of Physician Assistant Studies