University of California - San Diego
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Program starts
Jun 1, 2027 · 225 days
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About the program
Overview
Mission statement
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program will recruit and retain learners who reflect the diverse population of California. Graduates will be prepared to provide safe, effective, person-centered healthcare in various settings to improve the health and well-being of the patients and communities we serve.
Program features
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program stands out for several distinctive features that contribute to its uniqueness and excellence in physician assistant (PA) education. Integration with a Leading Research University UCSD is renowned for its research-intensive environment, which provides PA learners with access to cutting-edge medical research and technologies. The integration of the PA program within such a prestigious institution allows
Clinical rotations
The program comprises seven core rotations and three elective/selective rotations, each four weeks long, totaling 40 weeks of clinical experience. Core specialties covered are Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Mental/Behavioral Health, Surgery, and Emergency Medicine, with one protected block for independent study or capstone preparation.
- Credentials offered
- Master's degree (not Master's of Public Health)
- Doctorate offered
- No
- On-campus housing
- Yes
- CASPA participant
- Yes
The numbers
At a glance
Class size
30
Cohort
Tuition
$183,836
Total program
Min GPA
3.00
Required
Student:faculty
6:1
Plan ahead
Critical dates
- Checked against the PAEA Program Directory on Apr 4, 2026Aug 1, 2026Application deadlinePassed
- Checked against the PAEA Program Directory on Apr 4, 2026Aug 1, 2026Supplemental duePassed
- Sep 1, 2026CASPA verification duePassed
- Jun 1, 2027Program starts225 days
The process
Admissions
Updated Apr 4, 2026
Program requirements
- Min overall GPA
- 3.00
- Min science GPA
- 3.00
- Min PCE hours
- 500
- Healthcare experience
- Required
- Shadowing
- Recommended but not required
Interview format
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Virtual permitted · Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Application style
Single decision date
Supplemental application required
Required tests
Letters of recommendation — minimum 3
No restrictions
Acceptance policies
with exceptions. Please visit the program's website.
None
The bill
Costs
Updated Apr 4, 2026
Supplemental fee waiver: Available
Total cost of attendance
1 recorded cost estimate
See the recorded total cost-of-attendance estimate. Published tuition and fees remain above. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: paeducation.ucsd.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Coursework
Prerequisites
Coursework policies
5 recorded policy fields
Read the recorded coursework policies and any available source excerpts or unresolved policy questions. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: paeducation.ucsd.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Math
1 required course.
- Statistics
Science
6 required courses.
- Biological Sciences
- Human Anatomy with Lab
- Human Physiology with Lab
- Microbiology with Lab
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
Course requirement details
7 prerequisite records
Read the recorded course requirements, including available credits, grades, lab rules, time limits and source excerpts. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: paeducation.ucsd.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Admitted students
Class profile
- Avg overall GPA
- 3.79
- Avg science GPA
- 3.78
Gender
- female 77%
- male 23%
Ethnicity
- asian 40%
- hispanic 30%
- white 20%
- black 3%
- other 3%
- multiracial 3%
Average age and experience
1 recorded age and experience field
See the available matriculant age and experience-hour averages. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: paeducation.ucsd.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Admissions and outcomes
5 recorded admissions, faculty and outcome fields across this program page
See the recorded admissions funnel, faculty and outcome data throughout this page. A free account gives you access; no payment is required.
Source: medschool.ucsd.edu
Last-checked date not recorded.
Outcomes
PANCE pass rates
Latest first-time pass rate: Not published
Two-year average: Not published
Track record
Accreditation history
- First accredited
- 2023/09/23
- Next review
- January 2027
- March 2025Progress Report
The commission accepted the report providing evidence of SCPE program's clinical and technical skills learning outcomes and/or instructional objectives for each required rotation and verification the program has a means to monitor and document each student's progress. No further information requested.
- June 2024Progress Report
The commission reviewed the report and requested more information addressing 5th edition Standards B4.01a and B4.01b.
- September 2023Provisional Accreditation
Accreditation-Provisional granted; program has not yet enrolled students but plans and resource allocation demonstrate the probability to meet the ARC-PA Standards. Next Comprehensive Evaluation: September 2026 (Provisional Monitoring). Maximum class size approved: 30.
Trust
Where this data comes from
- medschool.ucsd.edu/education/physician-assistant/admissions/index.htmlUpdated Apr 17, 2026
Last updated: Apr 17, 2026
Directory facts are sourced from the PAEA directory.