Health Sciences for Physician Assistants

The Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program (MSHS PA) is an intensive course of study which begins annually. It comprises a pre-clinical classroom and technical skills development phase, and a preceptor-guided clinical phase, with a research component culminating in the development of a thesis and oral defense.

The curriculum is conducted under the auspices of Weill Cornell Medicine. The PA Program is registered and accredited (see Accreditation section below) by the Accreditation Review Committee for Physician Assistant Education, Inc. Upon successful completion of the program, Cornell University grants a Master's of Science degree in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants and graduates are then eligible to take the National Certifying Board Examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

In order to graduate, students must satisfactorily complete all program curriculum components. 

For more information about the PA profession please visit:

View our program's operational policies. 

Please Note

Previously, the PA Program started in January. However, following the transition into the Medical College, the next class is expected to matriculate in August 2026 and graduate in December 2028. 

 As part of the transition to the Medical College and in alignment with updates to the PA Program calendar, the Weill Cornell Medicine Physician Assistant Program is preparing a series of exciting curricular and programmatic adjustments for the incoming Class of 2028, set to matriculate in August 2026.

These upcoming changes are designed to further enhance the educational experience and support the evolving needs of future healthcare professionals. We look forward to sharing the full details of these modifications once formal approval is finalized, ahead of matriculation.