About the program
The Franklin College 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 Physician Assistant Studies program trains a new generation of qualified and dedicated advanced practice professionals with a focus on providing safe, patient-centered care to underserved populations in metropolitan and rural settings."
small cohort of 24 students, great faculty to student ratio, ultrasound training
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: 7 Years
Program overview
Franklin College offers a 25-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in Indiana, holding Continued accreditation status from ARC-PA. The program begins in January 2027 and accepts applications on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of September 1, 2026, meaning early submission is a practical necessity rather than just good advice.
The mission centers on training clinicians to deliver safe, patient-centered care to underserved populations in both metropolitan and rural settings, so applicants who have a genuine interest in working with vulnerable communities will find the program's values align with that intent. Curriculum follows an organ-based and systems-based structure, which organizes learning around body systems rather than isolated disciplines. Notably, the program incorporates ultrasound training, a hands-on skill increasingly valued in modern clinical practice. With an incoming cohort capped at 24 students, the faculty-to-student ratio is a concrete advantage for applicants who want close mentorship and individualized feedback throughout their training.
Academically, the program requires a minimum 3.00 overall GPA and a minimum 3.00 science GPA. Prerequisites must have been completed within the past seven years and include general chemistry with lab, general biology with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics. Both healthcare experience and paid direct patient care are required for admission, so applicants who have not yet accumulated paid clinical hours should address that before applying.
Total tuition sits at $98,400 with no separate rate structure for out-of-state applicants, who are welcomed into the program. International applicants are not accepted. There is no part-time option and no distance learning component, making full-time, on-campus commitment a requirement. A seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance.
The application requires a minimum of three reference letters. Interviewed candidates should prepare for both a traditional interview and a scenario room format, and attendance at an onsite interview is required.
An applicant should judge fit primarily by whether their clinical background reflects genuine commitment to underserved care and whether the small, intensive cohort environment matches how they learn best.