About the program
The Harding 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: "Developing caring physician assistants who practice competent, patient-centered primary care in diverse environments."
Student-centered education with small cohort, dedicated faculty mentorship, and hands-on learning. Students are trained to serve with competence, compassion, and integrity.
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 considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years
Program overview
Harding University in Arkansas offers a 28-month MSPAS program currently holding ARC-PA accreditation on probation, a status applicants should research carefully before applying. The program admits its next cohort starting August 2027, with an application deadline of November 1, 2026, reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis, which means submitting early in the cycle is a practical advantage. Out-of-state and international applicants are accepted, though international candidates should consult the program's website for specific eligibility conditions. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning components.
The mission centers on developing physician assistants prepared to deliver patient-centered primary care across diverse practice environments, with an emphasis on competence, compassion, and integrity. Curriculum is structured around organ-based and systems-based learning, and the program highlights small cohort size - incoming classes are capped at approximately 36 students - along with dedicated faculty mentorship and hands-on clinical preparation. These features may appeal to applicants who prefer close faculty relationships over larger, more anonymous programs.
Matriculants have carried an overall GPA of 3.72 and a science GPA of 3.60, though the minimum prerequisite GPA required for consideration is 3.00. Applicants with GPAs closer to the minimum should be realistic about competitiveness given the matriculant averages. Required prerequisites include eight credits of general chemistry with lab, four credits each of human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology with labs, all completed within the past seven years. Paid direct patient care experience is required, as is broader healthcare experience, and applicants should have those hours documented before applying.
The application process requires a minimum of three reference letters and an onsite interview combining both traditional and group formats. Total tuition runs $128,800 for the full program with no differentiated rates for in-state versus out-of-state students, and a seat deposit of $500 is required upon acceptance.
Prospective applicants should weigh the current probationary accreditation status carefully alongside program fit, as this designation may affect credentialing, licensing, or employment prospects depending on how and when accreditation status changes.