About the program
The Bethel University (MN) PA program is described in PAEA's published program data; full curriculum details, faculty, and admissions cycle specifics are maintained on the program's own website.
From the program's mission statement: "Boldly informed and motivated by the Christian faith, the Bethel Physician Assistant program prepares students through an exceptional education, equipping them with the skills necessary for competent, compassionate, and culturally responsive medical practice as a physician assistant."
Faith-based program, Procedure lab, International rotations
Matriculant data
Actual stats for students who enrolled in the most recently reported cohort, sourced from PAEA's published program data.
Admission policies
Out-of-state applicants are accepted. International applicants: yes, with exceptions. please visit the program's website. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 5 Years · up to 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Bethel University's physician assistant program in Minnesota awards a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies over 27 months, with the next cohort beginning June 2027. The program holds ARC-PA continued accreditation and accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, with some exceptions for the latter noted on the program's website.
The program's identity is explicitly shaped by its Christian faith mission, which frames its goal of producing graduates capable of competent, compassionate, and culturally responsive practice. Applicants who are comfortable working and learning within a faith-based institutional environment will find that ethos woven throughout the experience. Beyond that mission context, the curriculum is structured around case-based and organ/systems-based learning, which are both well-established approaches that emphasize clinical reasoning from early in training. Notable features include a dedicated procedure lab and the availability of international clinical rotations, which suits students interested in broadening their exposure beyond domestic practice settings.
The incoming class is set at 40 students, a mid-sized cohort. Matriculants have arrived with strong academic records, averaging a 3.88 overall GPA and a 3.86 science GPA, though the stated minimums are 3.25 for both. That gap between the floor and the actual matriculant average is meaningful - applicants near the 3.25 threshold will face a competitive disadvantage and should assess the rest of their application carefully. Direct patient care hours are set at a relatively accessible 500-hour minimum, and while paid experience is recommended, it is not required. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is required. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past five years, and applicants may have up to three prerequisites still outstanding at the time of application. Required science prerequisites include human anatomy (3 credits), human physiology (3 credits), microbiology (3 credits), and statistics (3 credits).
Total tuition is $104,944, with no differentiated rate for in-state versus out-of-state students. A seat deposit of $750 is required upon acceptance. Applications are reviewed on a post-deadline basis rather than on a rolling basis, with the application deadline set for August 1, 2026. At least two letters of reference are required. The interview process involves both a traditional interview and a group interview format, and attendance is required on-site.
An applicant should weigh both their alignment with Bethel's faith-based mission and how their GPA and clinical hours compare to actual matriculant averages - not just minimum thresholds - before investing in this application.