Physician Assistant, MS: Early Assurance
For Summer 2027 Admissions, submit all application materials by:
Jun 15, 2025
Thank you for your interest in applying to SUNY Upstate’s Physician Assistant, MS program in the College of Health Professions.
Who Is This Program For?
The objective of SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Physician Assistant Early Assurance Program is to allow exceptional, motivated students at any accredited undergraduate institution to apply and secure their acceptance to our Physician Assistant Master of Science program as early as their sophomore year. The program is designed to free students from the pressures and expense associated with applying to numerous physician assistant schools, allowing them more freedom to pursue unique academic interests and experiences.
How Does It Work?
The Physician Assistant program begins in the summer term (June) after completion of the bachelor’s degree. Accepted students are required to complete their remaining two years of college and earn a bachelor's degree by May of the year of enrollment, earn a minimum 3.30 prerequisite GPA and a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA (from all colleges previously attended). Applicants must complete 1000 patient contact hours.
Students that have completed two years of college study but have advanced standing due to AP, IB or college credits earned while in high school are eligible to apply.
Before You Apply
Students applying to the Physician Assistant Program must take the prerequisite courses at another college prior to matriculation. Students may apply if prerequisite courses are in progress or planned to be completed by the time of matriculation.
Application Process
Physician Assistant applicants must submit both Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and Upstate Application:
Step 1 - Complete the SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions Application
Step 2 - Official Transcripts
Official High School Transcript
High school transcripts can be sent to us from the applicant’s high school via:
- E-mail: Sent from your high school Guidance Office to [email protected] (preferred) or
- Mail: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Student Admissions, 766 Irving Ave., 1212 Weiskotten Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210
We cannot accept transcripts via Naviance or SCOIR.
The transcript must show your high school graduation date.
College Transcripts
Submission of official transcripts from all colleges attended. This includes college credits earned while in high school or over a summer or winter break while in college.
- E-mail: Sent from the applicable college registrar's office to [email protected] (preferred) or
- Mail: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Student Admissions, 766 Irving Ave., 1212 Weiskotten Hall, Syracuse, NY 13210
Upstate’s AP and IB credit policy: In order to utilize Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) college credits to fulfill prerequisites at SUNY, it is necessary for the credits to have been accepted by the student's previous accredited college. The AP and/or IB credits must be clearly indicated on the previous college's transcript, specifying the courses they fulfilled. Alternatively, Upstate Student Admissions can accept an official email from an Academic Advisor or Registrar's Office representative from the previous college confirming the acceptance of the AP and/or IB credits. Additionally, an official score report from College Board (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) will be required for verification purposes.
Step 3 - Three Letters of Recommendation
One must be from a professor (preferably science) from the applicant’s undergraduate college. Letters of recommendation from high school teachers or counselors will not be accepted. Personal letters of recommendation will not be accepted. Applicants will include their reference's name, organization and department, position/title, relationship to you, telephone number, and e-mail address on the Upstate College of Health Professions application.
Once you enter your reference’s information in the application, they will be sent instructions on how to submit the letter of recommendation. Both you and your references will receive a confirmation once it’s submitted.
Step 4 - Application Fee
$65 Application Fee
FEE WAIVERS:
- Option 1. Applicants who qualify as one of the following: active-duty service member; National Guard or active Reserve member; veteran; spouse or dependent child of an active duty, National Guard, active Reserve or veteran sponsor can upload the veteran’s DD214 or a copy of their military ID at the time of application.
- Option 2. The application fee for EOP/HEOP students may be waived. Please ask your EOP or HEOP Director to e-mail our office ([email protected]) to verify your enrollment in the EOP/HEOP program at your institution.
Step 5: Additional requirements based on individual situations
It is the responsibility of each student to confirm that a completed application is on file in the Office of Student Admissions.
- It is strongly recommended that applicants have shadowed or worked with a PA.
What To Expect After Applying
After your application has been submitted, our team begins a holistic review of your application. Decisions are sent out via e-mail. See the acceptance letter for the deadline to respond to the offer. If invited, an interview will be scheduled after the screening of all completed applications. Admission preference is given to applicants from underserved and minority populations and from rural communities.
Incoming students must submit a background check. This is completed after admission but before enrollment at SUNY Upstate. Students are admitted conditionally until background check results are obtained and reviewed by SUNY Upstate.
Have Questions
Need more specifics about the program? Questions about admissions requirements? Contact a College of Health Professions Admissions Counselor:
Maggie Moore
Graduate Admissions Advisor
[email protected]
315-464-4570
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Virtual Information Sessions
The Office of Admissions is conducting virtual information sessions for those who are interested in College of Health Professions programs.