Health Sciences for Physician Assistants

Program Overview

The Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program (PA Program) is an intensive course of study that begins annually. The program is designed to prepare students for excellence in clinical practice, scholarship, and professional leadership.

It is comprised of two primary phases:

Preclinical Phase: Classroom-based instruction and technical skills development.
Clinical Phase: Preceptor-guided clinical experiences.

Throughout both phases, a longitudinal research curriculum is integrated into the program, culminating in the completion of a master’s thesis and oral defense.

The program is conducted under the auspices of Weill Cornell Medicine, providing students with a rigorous foundation in generalist medicine and primary care, while also offering integrated exposure to general surgery and surgical subspecialties.

Degree and Certification

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, Cornell University awards the Master of Science in Health Sciences degree. Graduates are then eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Program Schedule Update

Previously, the PA Program matriculated students in January. Following the transition into the Medical College, the next incoming class is expected to matriculate in August 2026 and graduate in December 2028.

As part of this transition, the program is preparing a series of curricular and programmatic enhancements for the incoming Class of 2028. These updates are designed to further enrich the educational experience and support the evolving needs of future healthcare professionals. Full details will be shared once formal approvals are finalized.

Student Voices

“Coming from a small town in Massachusetts, moving to New York City to train as a PA at Weill Cornell Medicine has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, and the breadth of clinical exposure in my first year has exceeded my expectations. Through the LEAP program and my involvement on the Medical School Executive Committee, I’ve had early opportunities to work closely with medical students and other healthcare professionals, which has shaped how I approach collaboration and teamwork. The faculty are deeply committed to teaching and mentorship, and even halfway through the program, it’s clear how much WCM has helped me grow into a more capable, compassionate, and confident future PA.”

— Jessica Allan PA-S2

"My experience as a PA student at Weill Cornell’s PA program has been eye-opening, formative, and deeply humbling. Over the past year, I’ve had opportunities to learn through simulated patient encounters, hands-on skills like suturing and splinting, and even how to approach complex trauma cases.

As clinical rotations begin, I'm excited to get out of the classroom, learn directly from patients and clinicians, and keep growing into the PA I’ve been working toward. I feel so grateful to be in NYC at Weill Cornell, surrounded by incredible educators and diverse patient populations that push me to be a better student and future provider every single day."

— Elisabeth Lee PA-S2