You're looking at PA schools in New York and the PA program St John’s pops up. It’s got that Queens vibe—busy, diverse, and deeply rooted in the community. But honestly, applying to Physician Assistant school is a mess of spreadsheets and anxiety. You want the real dirt on whether this program is actually worth the $240,000 price tag and the three years of your life you'll never get back.
Most people think every PA program is basically the same. They aren't. St. John's University (SJU) has some weird quirks, a massive clinical network, and a "Vincentian mission" that actually matters if you want to work with people who really need help.
The Reality of the PA Program St John’s
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the accreditation status.
If you look at the ARC-PA records for 2025, you’ll see St. John’s was recently under a "Probation" review. They’ve since moved to Accreditation-Continued as of March 2025, but the commission still flagged a few areas for improvement. Specifically, they needed better ways to measure how students are actually learning in the clinical phase.
It’s not a dealbreaker. It’s a growing pain. The program is ancient—accredited since 1995—so they know what they’re doing, even if the paperwork gets messy sometimes.
Money, Money, Money
It’s expensive. No way around it.
The estimated total cost for the three-year Master of Science in Physician Assistant is roughly $241,979.
📖 Related: Lewis Katz Medical School Rheumatology Clinical Research: What Most People Get Wrong
- Tuition alone is north of $157,000.
- Housing in Queens? About $1,779 a month.
- Books, medical equipment, and travel to clinical sites add several thousand more.
It’s a massive investment. You’ve got to be sure you actually want to be a PA before signing those loan papers.
What it takes to get in (and stay in)
St. John's doesn't just let anyone in. They’re looking for a specific type of person. You need a 3.0 GPA minimum, both overall and in your sciences. If your science GPA is a 3.01, you're technically eligible, but honestly? You're going to need something better to be competitive.
The GRE? They don't care about it. As of 2026, the GRE is not required for the PA program St John’s. That’s a huge relief for anyone who hates standardized testing. Instead, they focus on your 200 hours of patient care experience (PCE) and your personal statement.
Prerequisites you can't skip:
- Gen Bio and Gen Chem (2 semesters each with labs)
- Organic Chemistry (though they’ll let you sub one with Biochemistry)
- Microbiology (lab not required, which is rare)
- Anatomy & Physiology (at least 7 credits)
- Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
They use CASPA, like everyone else. The deadline is October 1st for a fall start. Don't wait until September 30th to hit submit. The program uses rolling admissions, so the earlier you get in, the better your shot.
The "SJU" Curriculum: 30 Months of Chaos
The program is 30 months long. The first 18 months are the didactic phase. You’ll be sitting in a classroom in Queens, learning organ-based systems. It’s a lot.
Then comes the clinical year.
This is where the PA program St John’s actually shines. Because they’ve been around so long, they have deep ties to New York City hospitals. You aren't just doing rotations at one place. You might be at Bellevue in Manhattan, Jamaica Hospital in Queens, or Nassau University Medical Center on Long Island.
You’ll rotate through:
- Internal Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Primary Care (Family Practice)
- Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Orthopedics
- One elective of your choice
Each rotation is five weeks. You’ll be tired. You’ll probably be commuting on the Long Island Rail Road or the E train at 5:00 AM. But you’ll see everything from gunshot wounds to complex geriatric cases that you just won't find in a rural program.
PANCE Pass Rates: The Bottom Line
Can you pass the boards? That’s all that matters at the end of the day.
The five-year average for first-time takers at St. John's is about 87%. In 2024, they hit a 100% pass rate for the small cohort that finished that year. However, if you look back at 2021, it dipped to 71%.
Why the swing? The program analyzed this and found that when the NCCPA changed the exam blueprint, their students struggled. They’ve since overhauled their "remediation" process. Now, they have "Summative Exams" and "OSCEs" (simulated patient encounters) that you have to pass before they even let you sit for the boards.
Is it right for you?
SJU is a Vincentian university. That’s fancy talk for "we care about the poor." If you want to work in high-end private practice plastic surgery on Park Avenue, you can, but this program’s heart is in the underserved clinics.
They value diversity. They value "grit." If you’re from NYC and want to stay in NYC, it’s a powerhouse. If you want a quiet, leafy campus where you don't have to fight for a parking spot or navigate the subway, maybe look elsewhere.
Practical Next Steps
If you’re serious about the PA program St John’s, do these three things right now:
- Audit your GPA: If your science GPA is below 3.2, consider retaking a prerequisite like Orgo or A&P to show you can handle the rigor.
- Lock in your PCE: 200 hours is the minimum. Most successful applicants have 1,000+. Get a job as an EMT, CNA, or Medical Assistant in a high-volume setting.
- Shadow a PA: SJU requires a letter of recommendation from a healthcare professional. A PA who has watched you work is worth ten times more than a family friend who's an MD.
Apply early, be honest about your "why," and get ready for a very intense 30 months in Queens.