M.S. Physician Assistant

Yes, we accept both combined and separate Anatomy and Physiology courses. If you have completed A&P I and A&P II as separate courses covering all major body systems, they will fulfill our prerequisite requirement.

Our program is based in Orange City, Iowa. While some students choose to complete their rotations locally, we also offer a variety of clinical experiences across the country. Many students rotate in nearby cities such as Sioux Falls, Omaha, Des Moines, Minneapolis, and Lincoln. In addition, we maintain partnerships in states like New Mexico, South Carolina, Washington, and Montana to provide broader opportunities.

While we have an established network of clinical sites, our clinical team works closely with students to understand their preferences, goals, and desired locations. We strive to place students where they will thrive and are also open to exploring new clinical partnerships when appropriate.

We use a hybrid admissions process. After our priority deadline, we begin reviewing verified CASPA applications and extending interview invitations on a rolling basis. Because interview slots and seats may fill before the final deadline, early submission is strongly encouraged.

Interview days are held on campus only and are designed to give applicants a well-rounded view of our program. The day includes individual and group interviews, a campus tour, a didactic student panel, and a clinical panel. It’s an excellent opportunity to ask questions and experience our program culture firsthand.

Students typically live in rental homes or apartments in Orange City or the surrounding area. While graduate student housing is not offered on campus, we provide a housing guide and help connect incoming students to assist with roommate matching and finding local options.

No. We require a minimum GPA of 3.0 across all prerequisite courses. B/C grades do not meet that minimum requirement.

Yes, we accept online coursework from regionally accredited institutions. Lab components are not required for prerequisites.

No. We do not require or consider scores from the GRE, CASPer, PA-CAT, or any other standardized tests as part of our admissions process.

For the 2024–2025 application cycle, the average GPAs for accepted students were:
Overall GPA: 3.73
Science GPA: 3.73
These averages reflect the academic strength of our applicant pool and are intended as a general reference, not as minimum requirements. Average GPAs vary from year to year.

Students are welcome to use the operating system of their choice; however, we have observed that Apple/Mac devices can sometimes present compatibility issues during exams. iPads and tablets are permitted for note-taking and studying, but cannot be your primary device, as all exams must be taken on a computer. Students should have a computer with a processing system no older than Windows 11 OR macOS Sequoia 15.4 on Macs from 2018 and later, as during the clinical year, PAEA requires the most recent updates to function properly.

Yes! We’d love to welcome you to campus. You can schedule an in-person tour by contacting our Enrollment Counselor directly. You can also explore our facilities from wherever you are with our virtual tour.