BS/MHS Bridge Program for Physician Assistant Option

Become a Certified Physician Assistant Faster

Drexel University’s BS/MHS Bridge Program for Physician Assistant Studies is a concentrated academic pathway designed for high-achieving students in the Health Sciences undergraduate program. This unique 3+2¼ track allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Health Science (MHS) degree—and become eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)—in just 5¼ years, compared to the traditional 6¼-year timeline.

Program Overview

  • Years 1–3: Complete undergraduate coursework in the Health Sciences BS program, building a strong foundation in clinical sciences, healthcare ethics and research.
  • Years 4–5¼: Transition into the graduate Physician Assistant program, where the first year of graduate study also fulfills the final year of the BS degree.
  • Dual Degree Award:
    • BS in Health Sciences awarded after Year 4
    • MHS degree awarded after Year 5¼
    • Eligible to sit for the PANCE upon completion

A sample Accelerated BS/MHS PA Option schedule would span five and one quarter years as follows:   Year One: Undergraduate courses taken Fall Winter and Spring quarters   Year Two: Undergraduate courses taken Fall Winter Spring and Summer quarters   Year Three:  Two quarters on CO-OP, two quarters Undergraduate Courses   Year Four: MSH courses taken Fall Winter Spring and Summer quarters   Year Five: MSH courses taken Fall Winter Spring and Summer quarters   Year Six: Complete MSH courses in Fall Quarter

Why Choose Drexel’s BS/MHS PA Bridge Program?

  • Concentrated Timeline: Earn both your undergraduate and graduate degrees—and qualify for PA certification—in just over five years.
  • Integrated Curriculum: Experience a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study with a curriculum designed to support your long-term goals in healthcare.
  • Early Graduate-Level Engagement: Begin engaging with the Physician Assistant Department early in your academic journey, gaining exposure to advanced coursework, clinical preparation and faculty mentorship.
  • Career-Ready Preparation: Graduate with the credentials and clinical experience needed to enter the workforce as a certified physician assistant.

Ideal for Students Who:

  • Are academically strong and highly motivated
  • Have a clear goal of becoming a certified physician assistant
  • Want to reduce time and cost on their educational journey
  • Seek early access to graduate-level learning and clinical training

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the BS/MHS Bridge Program are prepared for careers as certified physician assistants in:

  • Primary care and family medicine
  • Emergency and urgent care
  • Internal medicine and hospitalist roles
  • Surgical specialties
  • Pediatrics, geriatrics and women’s health
  • Research and academic settings

Take the Next Step

Fast-track your path to becoming a physician assistant. Explore Drexel’s BS/MHS Bridge Program and discover how you can make a difference in patient care and the healthcare system.

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Admissions

The BS/MHS Bridge Program for Physician Assistant Option allows highly qualified students the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and Physician Assistant master's curriculum in 5 ¼ years as opposed to the traditional 6 ¼ years. Students meeting all BS/MHS Bridge Program track requirements are granted an interview with the Drexel Physician Assistant (PA) program in the fall of their junior year. BS/MHS Bridge Program students who have met all Health Science criteria and successfully complete the interview process enter the PA program in the fall of their senior year.

Beginning in the fall of 2022, incoming freshmen who are interested in the BS/MHS Bridge Program will have the opportunity to apply for admission into the BS/MHS Bridge Program following the winter term of their freshman year. Freshman Health Science students who have: a) secured a minimum of "B-" in all PA program prerequisites and b) secured documented shadowing of at least 1, preferably more, Physician Assistants qualify for the BS/MHS Bridge Program. BS/MHS Bridge Program: Shadowing Verification Form [PDF Download]

BS/MHS PA Option requirements: (once admitted)

  • Be enrolled in the Drexel Health Sciences Program as a freshman and complete a minimum of 135 quarter credits by the end of junior year.
  • Complete PA program prerequisite courses at Drexel University unless Advanced Placement (AP) credit is granted upon admission.
  • Earn a minimum of "B-" in all PA program prerequisite courses on the first attempt. Repeating courses to obtain a minimum grade is not feasible in the bridge Program track. Prerequisite grades of INC or W must be approved by the Health Sciences bridge Program track director and are only allowed for unforeseen extenuating circumstances.
    • Prerequisite courses: General Biology (BIO 131, 132, 133); Microbiology for Health Professionals (BIO 226); Anatomy and Physiology (HSCI 101, 102, 103); General Chemistry (CHEM 111 {if required}, CHEM 101, 102, 103); Medical Terminology (HSCI 125); Genetics (HSCI 337 or BIO 244); General Psychology (PSY 101).
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and science GPA of 3.5. Minimum GPA requirements must be achieved by the PA program application deadline.
  • Complete all current PA program admission and application requirements found on the Drexel Physician Assistant Department website. Applications are submitted through CASPA and should include clinical contact hours, recommendation letters, a personal statement and any other requirements set by the PA program.
  • Complete a minimum of 500 hours of clearly documented volunteer or paid direct hands-on patient contact experience, accrued by the time of CASPA application submission and recorded as part of their official CASPA application.
  • Complete a successful admissions interview with the Drexel PA Program and be recommended for admission by PA Admissions Committee. BS/MHS bridge Program students who meet all of the above criteria will be granted an interview in the fall of their junior year for a seat in the Drexel PA program. The interview is a critical part of the PA program admission process and should not be considered lightly. Being granted an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the PA program.
  • Transfer students (internal or external) are not eligible for the BS/MHS Bridge Program for Physician Assistant Option.

Health Sciences BS/MHS Bridge Program students fulfilling all requirements begin the PA program in the fall of their senior year. Students receive a BS degree in Health Sciences (minimum 180 credits) after successful completion of all fall, winter, and spring term PA program courses. Students not continuing in the BS/MHS Bridge Program will continue their studies in the traditional Health Sciences 4-year co-op Degree Program and have the opportunity to apply to the Drexel PA program and other Physician Assistant programs the following year.

For Transferring Students

Transfer students (internal or external) are not eligible to apply.

Tuition and Fee Rates

Please visit the Tuition and Fee Rates page on Drexel Central

COMPLIANCE

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.

Visit the Compliance pages for more information.

Accreditation

Drexel’s Physician Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA), and has been fully accredited since 1973. A program must be accredited by ARC-PA for its graduates to be eligible for certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Program Level Outcomes

At Drexel University we believe that a well-formulated set of Program Level Outcomes [PLO] that support and are consistent with the institutional mission and goals are the building blocks of an effective assessment program. 

Click here to view the College of Nursing and Health Professions Health Sciences Program Level Outcomes.