About the program
The Grand Valley 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: "To prepare highly competent physician assistants who embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion; lead and advance the profession; and provide quality patient-centered healthcare in all communities and settings."
The GVSU PAS program was established in 1995 and has graduated over 1000 physician assistants. In 2015, the PAS program expanded to include a distant campus in Traverse City to serve the healthcare needs of Northern Michigan. The Grand Rapids campus for the GVSU PAS program is located at the GVSU Health Campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Health Campus encompasses the Cook DeVos Center of Health Sciences, the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, and the Daniel and Pamela DeVos Center.
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. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is available. 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: 5 Years
Program overview
Grand Valley State University offers a 28-month MPAS program based primarily at the GVSU Health Campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with an additional campus in Traverse City that was established in 2015 to address healthcare access in Northern Michigan. The program holds continued ARC-PA accreditation, accepts out-of-state and international applicants, and offers distance learning components, though no part-time option exists. The next cohort begins August 2027, with an application deadline of September 1, 2026, reviewed on a post-deadline batch basis rather than on a rolling schedule.
The program's mission centers on preparing competent PAs who actively engage with diversity, equity, and inclusion while serving patients across varied communities and settings. Curriculum delivery blends traditional instruction with case-based and problem-based learning organized around organ and body systems, and students encounter clinical exposure early in the program. The Grand Rapids campus sits within a health sciences complex that includes multiple dedicated facilities, providing a well-resourced learning environment. The program has graduated more than 1,000 PAs since its founding in 1995, giving it a substantial alumni base.
Academically, the bar is meaningful. The program sets a minimum 3.00 GPA across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, but matriculants typically arrive with a 3.83 overall and 3.89 science GPA, so competitive applicants should aim well above the floor. Prerequisites include general chemistry, general biology, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and statistics - each at three credits - and all must have been completed within the past five years. The direct patient care requirement is 500 hours, a relatively accessible threshold compared to many programs, though paid experience is recommended. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required.
The estimated incoming class size is 48 students split across two campuses, which suggests reasonably sized cohorts at each site. Total tuition is $93,112 with no separate in-state versus out-of-state rate structure. Applicants need a minimum of two reference letters and must complete the CASPer standardized situational judgment test. The interview process involves both a traditional interview and a group interview format, conducted onsite.
An applicant should honestly assess whether their GPA sits in the realistic competitive range near a 3.8, whether their patient care hours meet or exceed the 500-hour minimum, and whether the Traverse City or Grand Rapids campus location aligns with their personal circumstances and professional interest in serving diverse Michigan communities.