About the program
The Drury 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: "Our mission is to educate students to become physician assistants who are innovative leaders in the profession, practice evidence-based medicine, and are dedicated to facilitating healthy futures for the residents of southwest Missouri and beyond."
What sets us apart from other programs? • Clinical Leadership course • Customized capstone project • Full dissection cadaver lab, 5:1 student ratio • Curriculum arranged by organ system blocks • Faculty with an average of 16 years of diverse clinical experience • New facilities and dedicated study areas. We truly want our graduates to lead in every area of healthcare.
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. On-campus housing is available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Drury University offers a 27-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in Missouri, currently holding Provisional ARC-PA accreditation, with its inaugural cohort set to begin in August 2027. The program accepts out-of-state applicants but does not consider international applicants or offer distance learning or part-time enrollment options, making it best suited for students who can relocate and commit fully to an intensive on-campus experience.
The admissions bar is accessible but competitive. A minimum 3.0 GPA across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework is required, and matriculants have arrived with an overall GPA around 3.6 and a science GPA near 3.47, suggesting the program rewards solid academic preparation without demanding near-perfect transcripts. The patient-care threshold is set at 500 paid direct patient care hours, which is relatively modest compared to many programs, though healthcare experience beyond those hours is also required. Applicants who have steady clinical exposure and can document paid hands-on patient contact should be in a strong position.
The curriculum blends case-based, problem-based, and traditional instructional approaches organized around organ system blocks, which creates a coherent clinical framework from early in training. A dedicated full-dissection cadaver lab with a 5:1 student-to-cadaver ratio provides hands-on anatomical training that many programs no longer offer at that scale. The program also includes a Clinical Leadership course and a customized capstone project, both of which align with the stated mission of producing graduates who function as innovative leaders oriented toward serving southwest Missouri and surrounding communities. Faculty bring an average of 16 years of clinical experience across varied specialties, and the program operates out of new facilities with dedicated student study space.
Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry (6 credits), human anatomy (3 credits), human physiology (3 credits), microbiology (3 credits), and statistics (3 credits). Up to two outstanding prerequisites are permitted at the time of application, offering some flexibility for applicants still completing their science foundation. Three letters of reference are required, and all interviewed candidates must attend in person for a traditional interview format. Admissions follow a rolling, first-come, first-served review process with a deadline of March 1, 2027, so early submission is strategically important.
Total tuition sits at $104,000 for the program with a $1,000 seat deposit required upon acceptance. The incoming class is capped at 40 students, which supports a relatively small-cohort learning environment.
Applicants should evaluate this program carefully in light of its Provisional accreditation status, which reflects a newer program still establishing its track record, and weigh that against the practical benefits of smaller class sizes, strong faculty experience, and a curriculum designed around clinical leadership in a regional healthcare mission.