About the program
The College of Saint Mary 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: "The mission of the College of Saint Mary PA Program is to foster excellence, leadership, compassion, and inclusivity to prepare skilled, ethical, and service-driven clinicians, consistent with our core values"
The College of Saint Mary PA Program is guided by the Mercy values of compassion, respect, service, and excellence. Through close faculty mentorship, reflective practice, and ethical clinical training, students develop strong professional identities as future PAs. The curriculum prepares graduates to lead, advocate, and deliver patient-centered care that promotes justice and serves diverse, rural, and underserved communities.
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: No Requirement
Program overview
This Nebraska-based program awards a Master of Physician Assistant Studies over a 24-month curriculum beginning August 2027. It is currently on ARC-PA probationary accreditation status, which applicants should weigh carefully when evaluating this option, as probation indicates the program has not fully met accreditation standards and outcomes remain under review.
The program operates within a Catholic Mercy tradition, explicitly emphasizing compassion, respect, service, and excellence as organizing values. Its stated focus on preparing graduates to serve rural, underserved, and diverse communities gives it a particular character that will resonate with applicants drawn to mission-driven, service-oriented practice settings. The curriculum follows an organ- and systems-based learning model, and close faculty mentorship and reflective ethical practice are cited as hallmarks of the educational experience. Class size is set at 40 students, which supports a relatively intimate learning environment.
Academically, competitive applicants will need solid GPAs - matriculants have averaged a 3.79 overall and 3.72 in the sciences, though the program's posted minimums sit at 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework. Science prerequisites include general chemistry with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology with lab (4 credits), microbiology with lab (3 credits), and statistics (3 credits), with no time limit imposed on when these were completed. Healthcare experience is required, though paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandatory. Three letters of reference are required.
Total tuition runs $91,650 for the program, with a $500 seat deposit upon acceptance. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants, though international candidates should check the program's website for applicable exceptions. There is no part-time or distance learning option. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of November 1, 2026, so submitting early is strategically important. Finalists complete an onsite interview that includes both a panel interview and a scenario room component.
An applicant should consider this program seriously only after independently researching the nature and current status of its ARC-PA probation, ensuring they are comfortable with the associated risk and timeline before committing a seat deposit.