Marietta College

Programme overview

Marietta College offers a single‑campus, ARC‑PA accredited Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies delivered over 26 months. The curriculum is split into a 12‑month didactic phase followed by a 14‑month clinical phase of rotations under licensed practitioners. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) required for licensure.

What you'll study

The program covers rigorous graduate‑level medical training across its didactic year and multiple clinical rotations during the subsequent clinical year. Course work expectations include advanced human biology, clinical medicine and applied skills needed for practice in a variety of specialties; students complete multiple medical rotations under highly qualified licensed preceptors.

• Program length: 26 months total (12 months didactic; 14 months clinical).
• Degree awarded: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS).
• Accreditation: Accreditation‑Continued status from ARC‑PA; next validation review approximately March 2028 (contingent on continued compliance).
• Certification eligibility: Graduates are eligible to sit for the PANCE administered by the NCCPA.

Entry requirements

Applicants apply via CASPA by Jan. 15 for admission to the following summer class. The program requires submission of the GRE general test (school code 0937); the MCAT may be substituted. PACAT is not required but will be considered. Two admissions committee members score each application using GPA, GRE, letters of recommendation, healthcare hours, work ethic, leadership and extracurriculars; selected applicants are invited to an on‑campus interview.

• Required prerequisite courses: upper‑level human or mammalian biology; General Chemistry I & II with labs; Organic Chemistry with lab; Microbiology with lab; Human Anatomy with lab; Human Physiology; General Psychology; an upper‑level psychology course emphasizing abnormal and/or developmental psychology; and Statistics (or comparable course as determined by the Admissions Committee).
• Recommended additional coursework (not required): genetics, immunology, virology, biochemistry, histology, pathophysiology, toxicology.

Career prospects

Graduates enter many clinical fields including family and internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, emergency medicine and general surgery, and can work in specialty settings such as ICU/critical care, urology, cardiology, dermatology, interventional radiology, colorectal surgery and hematology/oncology. The program reports strong outcomes for recent cohorts, including high PANCE pass rates and high rates of job placement within six months.

• Reported outcomes from recent cohorts include a 99.8% overall PANCE pass rate and a 99% program graduation rate since inception.
• Graduate roles have also included fellowship placements (state and national) and scholarly contributions with publications in specialty journals.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Marietta College lists scholarships and grants for PA students and highlights student and alumni research recognition. For example, a recent graduate received the Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship from Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery, a $5,000 award tied to a manuscript and conference invitation. Prospective students should consult the program and college financial aid office for specific scholarship and grant options.