Contact Information
Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
(401) 232-6574
A Clearer Path to Becoming a PA
Beginning with the incoming Fall 2027 class, Bryant's Physician Assistant Early Assurance Pathway (EAP) provides selected students with a structured route from undergraduate study to Bryant's Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.
As a PA Scholar in the Pathway to Clinical Medicine (PCM), you'll know early what you need to accomplish — from science coursework and patient-care experience to shadowing and professional development — while receiving personalized guidance along the way.
Your Path to PA Starts at Bryant
Bryant's Early Assurance Pathway connects a strong undergraduate foundation with a PA program focused on clinical skill, collaboration, and patient-centered care.
As a PA Scholar, you'll work closely with faculty and advisors who understand your goals while gaining opportunities for clinical observation, simulation, research, and other hands-on experiences. Tailored pre-health advising, faculty mentorship, and structured clinical exposure help you connect what you're learning in the classroom to patient care — and prepare for what's next.
Begin Your Path at Bryant
Eligible incoming first-year students majoring in Biology, Health Sciences, or Exercise and Movement Science are considered for selection as PA Scholars in the Pathway to Clinical Medicine.
Follow the Pathway to Clinical Medicine
Build your academic and clinical foundation through coursework, faculty mentorship, pre-health advising, patient-care experience, shadowing, and hands-on learning.
Apply for Early Assurance
In your junior year, if you've successfully met the pathway's academic, clinical, and professional requirements, you can apply for a conditional reserved seat in Bryant's PA program.
Complete Your Undergraduate Preparation
Continue meeting PCM and PA admission milestones while completing your Bryant bachelor's degree and preparing for graduate study.
Continue to Bryant's PA Program
After satisfying all final admission requirements, you'll be considered for formal admission to Bryant's Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.
Who Is Eligible?
Your Opportunity Begins with Undergraduate Admission
Incoming Bryant first-year students may be invited to apply for PA Scholar selection if they:
- Declare a major in Biology, Health Sciences, or Exercise and Movement Science
- Have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Demonstrate strong academic rigor, including multiple years of high school mathematics and laboratory sciences
- Complete the required supplemental questions
Faculty select the PA Scholar cohort from this group. Relevant clinical experience, such as active EMT, medical assistant (MA), or certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification or licensure, is preferred but not required.
The Pathway to Clinical Medicine
Build Your Foundation for PA School
As a PA Scholar, you’ll participate in Bryant’s Pathway to Clinical Medicine, a structured undergraduate experience designed to help you build the academic and clinical foundation required for PA school.
Through tailored pre-health advising, faculty mentorship, and structured clinical exposure, you’ll have a clear set of milestones to guide your undergraduate experience and prepare you for the next stage of your education.
PA Scholars must remain in good academic standing and consistently meet the academic, professional, and experiential requirements of the pathway.
Qualifying for Early Assurance
After completing a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits, PA Scholars who remain eligible for the Pathway to Clinical Medicine may apply through the Early Assurance Pathway for a conditional seat in the Bryant PA program.
To be considered, students must:
- Complete at least 60 undergraduate credits
- Complete all published Bryant PA prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
- Accumulate at least 500 hours of paid direct patient-care experience, demonstrating progress toward the 2,000 hours required before entering the MSPAS program
- Complete a PA shadowing experience
- Successfully complete all required Pathway to Clinical Medicine academic, professional, and experiential milestones
A select number of seats will be held for conditional admission to the PA program.
After completing a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits, PA Scholars who remain eligible for the Pathway to Clinical Medicine may apply through the Early Assurance Pathway for a conditional seat in the Bryant PA program.
To be considered, students must:
- Complete at least 60 undergraduate credits
- Complete all published Bryant PA prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
- Accumulate at least 500 hours of paid direct patient-care experience, demonstrating progress toward the 2,000 hours required before entering the MSPAS program
- Complete a PA shadowing experience
- Successfully complete all required Pathway to Clinical Medicine academic, professional, and experiential milestones
A select number of seats will be held for conditional admission to the PA program.
From Conditional Admission to PA School
Receiving a conditional seat through the Early Assurance Pathway is an important milestone, but it does not constitute final admission to Bryant’s PA program.
To receive a formal offer of admission, PA Scholars must:
- Complete a Bryant bachelor’s degree in Biology, Health Sciences, or Exercise and Movement Science
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Earn a Biology, Chemistry, Physics (BCP) GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Complete all published PA prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
- Submit a formal application through CASPA
- Submit the Bryant University PA Program Supplemental Application within CASPA
- Successfully complete an admissions interview with PA program faculty
- Accumulate at least 2,000 direct patient-care hours before the start of the MSPAS cohort
Final admission is subject to review and approval by the PA Program Admissions Committee in accordance with the program’s published admission practices.
Stay on Your Path
Students who do not maintain eligibility for the Pathway to Clinical Medicine or Early Assurance Pathway do not retain the opportunity for a conditional seat. They may still apply to Bryant’s Physician Assistant program through the standard CASPA admissions process.
Receiving a conditional seat through the Early Assurance Pathway is an important milestone, but it does not constitute final admission to Bryant’s PA program.
To receive a formal offer of admission, PA Scholars must:
- Complete a Bryant bachelor’s degree in Biology, Health Sciences, or Exercise and Movement Science
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Earn a Biology, Chemistry, Physics (BCP) GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Complete all published PA prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
- Submit a formal application through CASPA
- Submit the Bryant University PA Program Supplemental Application within CASPA
- Successfully complete an admissions interview with PA program faculty
- Accumulate at least 2,000 direct patient-care hours before the start of the MSPAS cohort
Final admission is subject to review and approval by the PA Program Admissions Committee in accordance with the program’s published admission practices.
Stay on Your Path
Students who do not maintain eligibility for the Pathway to Clinical Medicine or Early Assurance Pathway do not retain the opportunity for a conditional seat. They may still apply to Bryant’s Physician Assistant program through the standard CASPA admissions process.
Explore Your Undergraduate Path
The Physician Assistant Early Assurance Pathway is available to eligible incoming students in three Bryant undergraduate programs.
Biology
Develop a strong foundation in the life sciences through classroom, laboratory, research, and experiential learning.
Health Sciences
Build an interdisciplinary understanding of human health while preparing for advanced study and careers across the healthcare field.
Exercise and Movement Science
Explore human movement, health, and performance while developing a foundation for advanced study in healthcare and related fields.
Continue to Physician Assistant Studies
After completing your undergraduate preparation and meeting all final admission requirements, continue your path at Bryant through the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.