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What You'll Be Doing

Gannon University believes patient care is of the utmost importance. If you are interested in directly providing patient care, Gannon’s physician assistant program can help prepare you to do so. Physician assistants are skilled, health practitioners who are academically and clinically prepared to provide patient care services under the supervision of a physician. Their specific professional tasks vary depending on state laws, hospital policies and utilization preferences of supervising physicians.

Physician assistants work in a variety of settings including hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, health maintenance organizations and nursing homes. In general, physician assistants are qualified to obtain patient histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnose illnesses, provide emergency care and deliver treatment, education and counseling. They may assist in surgery and deliver pre-operative and post-operative patient care.

The physician assistant profession has expanded considerably over the past several years. The Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that the job market for physician assistants will continue to increase dramatically through the next decade. The mean annual starting salary for a new graduate is $71,000.

Admission Requirements

Available Seats
The Physician Assistant Program is a high demand major at Gannon and there are only 40 seats available in the Physician Assistant Program. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all students apply in September of their senior year.

Rolling Admissions—Full Acceptance
For students who meet the criteria below, they will be offered admission to the program. Enrollment deposits will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program fills. If a student submits an enrollment deposit after the program fills, the student will be placed on the wait list.

• 3.2 cumulative GPA
• SAT score of 1050 (out of 1600 Math and Critical Reading) or better or ACT composite score of 23 or better.
• Top 50 percent class rank
• Algebra I and II (with grades of “B” or better)
• Biology and Chemistry with Labs (with grades of “B” or better)

Additional Requirement
Once a student has been accepted, the student is required to complete 30 hours of health care exposure (volunteer or paid work in a patient care setting such as a hospital, clinic, geriatric center or similar health care facility).

Transfer Students
Gannon’s Physician Assistant Program is designed for first-time students. Due to limitations on class size, the majority of spaces available are at the freshman level. Gannon will review transfer applications on a space-available basis.

In order to be considered, transfer students must interview with the PA Department; and have an overall GPA of a 3.0. Students are also required to maintain a 3.0 in order to advance within the program. If a transfer student has earned fewer than 30 college credits, an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT score are required.

Advanced placement is not available in the fourth or fifth year of the program. Credit is not given for experiential learning.

The Gannon Advantage

• Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
• Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
• On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
• An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
• Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
• Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.