About the program
The Frostburg State 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: "The Mission of the Frostburg State University's Physician Assistant Program is to educate students in compassionate patient-centered care. Students will learn best practices, use innovative technology, and work in interprofessional teams to deliver quality care, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas in Maryland and beyond. Frostburg State University Physician Assistant graduates will have a commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and community service."
Our PA program prepares students to provide high-quality care in rural and underserved communities. Located in a small town surrounded by natural beauty, we provide an intimate, rural learning environment while remaining near major cities for clinical rotations. Our curriculum emphasizes knowledge and skills essential for treating underserved populations. Students complete rotations at community clinics and critical access hospitals, gaining firsthand experience with rural medicine.
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 not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 1 outstanding at application
Program overview
Frostburg State University offers a 24-month Master of Medical Science degree program in Physician Assistant Studies, accredited by ARC-PA with Continued status. The program begins in May 2027 and accepts a small cohort of approximately 25 students, creating an intimate learning environment that reflects the program's rural setting in western Maryland.
The program's mission centers explicitly on preparing graduates to serve rural and medically underserved populations, particularly within Maryland and surrounding regions. This focus is not incidental - students complete clinical rotations at community clinics and critical access hospitals, gaining direct exposure to the realities of rural medicine. Applicants drawn to primary care in underserved settings, or who have prior experience working in such environments, will find the curriculum and clinical placement philosophy well-matched to those interests.
The curriculum blends asynchronous, case-based, systems-based, and team-based learning, with a hybrid structure that draws from both traditional and case-based approaches. There is no distance learning option, and the program is full-time only, so applicants should expect an on-site commitment throughout.
The academic bar is accessible but meaningful. A minimum 3.00 GPA is required across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, and matriculants average a 3.32 overall and 3.16 science GPA. Required prerequisites include general chemistry with lab, human anatomy with lab totaling eight credits, and microbiology. All prerequisites must have been completed within the past ten years, and applicants may enter with no more than one outstanding prerequisite. The paid direct patient care requirement is set at 500 hours, and the work must be compensated - volunteer hours alone will not satisfy this threshold.
The application deadline is November 1, 2026, and admission is rolling on a first-come, first-served basis, which means early submission is strategically important. Applicants must provide at least two letters of reference and complete an onsite interview; the program uses a combination of traditional, group, and multiple mini interview formats. The seat deposit is $1,500. Separate tuition rates exist for in-state and out-of-state students, and the program accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, though international candidates should consult the program's website for specific eligibility conditions.
An applicant should consider whether a genuine interest in rural or underserved medicine - not just as a talking point but as a practice setting they are actively pursuing - aligns with what this program is explicitly built to produce.