About the program
The Kansas 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 Kansas State University Physician Assistant Program's mission is to prepare highly skilled graduates who are committed to providing compassionate and patient-centered care in a collaborative environment. The program is dedicated to graduating physician assistants who demonstrate professionalism, are globally minded, and practice within an ethical framework to improve the quality of life of their communities, and the medically underserved populations."
On-Campus simulation lab, 2 Anatomage tables for A&P virtual dissection, Cardiopulmonary simulation - Harvey, CAE Learning Space for clinical simulations!
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 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
Recency: 5 Years · up to 7 outstanding at application
Program overview
Kansas State University offers a 27-month program awarding the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, with the next cohort beginning January 2027. Applicants should be aware that the program currently holds ARC-PA accreditation on probation status, which is a meaningful consideration when evaluating fit and long-term career implications.
The program's mission centers on producing graduates who provide compassionate, patient-centered care with particular attention to medically underserved populations. A globally minded perspective and strong ethical framework are emphasized throughout, suggesting the program may appeal to applicants drawn to community health and service-oriented practice settings. Instruction is organized around case-based, problem-based, and organ/systems-based learning methods, which tend to reward students who are comfortable with self-directed inquiry and collaborative problem-solving. On-campus simulation resources include a dedicated simulation lab, two Anatomage tables for virtual anatomy and physiology dissection, a Harvey cardiopulmonary simulator, and a CAE Learning Space for clinical practice - providing hands-on preparation without relying on distance formats, as the program is fully in-person with no part-time option.
The incoming class is estimated at 44 students. Matriculants have averaged a 3.71 overall GPA and a 3.70 science GPA, signaling a competitive applicant pool despite the minimum thresholds sitting at 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite GPAs. The direct patient care requirement of 750 hours is relatively accessible compared to many programs, and paid experience is not required, making this program a reasonable target for applicants earlier in their healthcare career who have nonetheless built meaningful clinical exposure. Healthcare experience beyond patient care hours is recommended but not required.
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past five years and includes general chemistry with lab (8 credits), general biology with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology (4 credits), and microbiology (3 credits). Up to seven outstanding prerequisites may still be in progress at the time of application, which provides flexibility for applicants still finishing their academic preparation. Tuition is assessed at separate in-state and out-of-state rates; applicants from outside Kansas and international applicants are both accepted. Three letters of reference are required, and all interviewed candidates must attend an on-campus panel interview. The application deadline is August 1, 2026, and admissions are rolling on a first-come, first-served basis, making early submission strategically important. A seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance.
Applicants should weigh the program's probationary accreditation status carefully alongside its accessible entry requirements, strong simulation infrastructure, and mission alignment before determining whether it is the right fit for their goals.