3+2 Physician Assistant Program

3+2 Physician Assistant Program

5-year (3+2) Accelerated Physician Assistant Degree Program

In partnership with the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM) and Rowan University, we offer an accelerated 5-Year Physician Assistant Pathway Program (also called 3+2 year program) to incoming first-year students. These rigorous, accelerated degree program provide an opportunity for exceptional students to apply to physcian assistant school during their junior year at Rowan and enter physician assistant school in their fourth year. Students who successfully complete the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology(BS) degree (earned after successfully completing their first year of physician assistant school) and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, in 5 years rather than the traditional 6 years.

Degree options and Application Directions for the BS/MPAS are outlined below.

After reviewing the information below, please feel free to email any additional questions to healthadvising@rowan.edu and the Office of Pre-Health Programs will respond to your inquiry within a few days.

 

Accreditation Statement 

The Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine PA Program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2026, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the April 2026 agenda, ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, or a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

The Rowan-Virtua SOM PA Program is not yet accredited and is a developing program seeking provisional accreditation from the ARC-PA. Applicants should review this document, which outlines important implications if accreditation is not granted.