About the program
The Des Moines University 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: "To develop highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who are committed to patient-centered care."
26-month program housed at a university that only offers graduate programs in the health sciences. Unique community of students all committed to health care. New, state-of-the-art campus provides advanced simulation and hands-on learning.
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: no. DACA status applicants are not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement
Program overview
Des Moines University offers a 26-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies housed entirely within a graduate-level health sciences institution, meaning every student on campus is pursuing a career in healthcare. That singular focus creates an unusual peer environment that may appeal to applicants who want to train alongside others with the same professional commitment rather than on a large multipurpose university campus. The program holds continued ARC-PA accreditation and accepts out-of-state students, though international applicants are not eligible.
The curriculum centers on case-based and team-based learning models, which mirrors how clinical practice actually unfolds - working through ambiguous patient presentations alongside colleagues rather than absorbing material in isolation. A new campus facility supports this approach with simulation resources and hands-on training environments. The program's stated mission is to graduate PAs who are both technically competent and committed to patient-centered, compassionate care, which signals that interpersonal and humanistic qualities will be evaluated alongside academic credentials.
The competitive bar among recent matriculants is meaningful: an overall GPA of 3.79 and a science GPA of 3.71. The minimum overall GPA required for consideration is 2.80, but given actual matriculant averages, applicants well above the floor will be more competitive. Direct patient care hours must be paid - not volunteer - and a minimum of 750 hours is required, along with broader healthcare experience. These requirements together suggest the program wants applicants who have functioned in a genuine clinical employment role, not simply observed or shadowed.
Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics. There is no time limit on when these prerequisites must have been completed. The program requires at least two reference letters and a required on-site traditional interview as part of the selection process.
Total tuition runs $111,000 with a $500 seat deposit, and there is no separate tuition rate for in-state versus out-of-state students. The incoming class size of approximately 65 students is moderate, which typically allows for meaningful faculty-student interaction. Admission is rolling on a first-come, first-served basis with a final application deadline of March 1, 2027, and the cohort begins in June 2027 - early submission is a practical advantage given the rolling review process.
Applicants should honestly assess whether their paid patient care hours meet not just the minimum threshold but reflect the kind of sustained clinical responsibility that aligns with what this program appears to value, and whether the team-based, case-driven learning model matches how they learn best.