About the program
The Lenoir-Rhyne 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: "Program Mission The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PA Studies) is an innovative program designed to create the next generation of highly competent and empathetic medical providers renowned for their excellence in patient-centered care in collaborative healthcare settings both regionally and nationally."
https://www.lr.edu/physician-assistant-studies-ms Program highlights -Beautiful building with skills laboratory, individual examination rooms, and spacious classrooms. -Dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate faculty -Sectra Anatomy Tables -Early clinical experience -Affiliation with ValleySim Hospital for advanced simulation exercises
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. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a 24-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in North Carolina, currently holding Provisional ARC-PA accreditation. The program is scheduled to begin in January 2027, and applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of September 1, 2026, making early submission a practical priority.
The program's mission centers on developing competent and empathetic providers prepared for patient-centered care in collaborative settings, both regionally and nationally. The curriculum reflects a multi-method instructional approach that combines asynchronous, case-based, problem-based, and systems-based learning alongside team-based collaboration. Early clinical exposure is a deliberate feature of the program, giving students hands-on patient interaction before traditional clinical rotations begin. The program also maintains an affiliation with ValleySim Hospital for advanced simulation exercises and utilizes Sectra Anatomy Tables, which provide three-dimensional anatomical visualization tools increasingly common in modern medical education. Facilities include a skills laboratory, individual examination rooms, and dedicated classroom space.
The incoming class is estimated at 36 students. Total tuition runs $90,000 with no separate in-state or out-of-state rate distinction, and a seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance. Out-of-state and international applicants are accepted, though international applicants should review program-specific exceptions on the university's website. The program is full-time, on-site, with no part-time or distance learning options available.
The minimum cumulative GPA required is 3.00, and applicants must have completed at least 500 direct patient care hours. Paid experience is recommended but not required, though some form of healthcare experience is mandatory. The prerequisite list includes general chemistry with lab (6 credits), general biology with lab (6 credits), human anatomy with lab (3 credits), human physiology (3 credits), microbiology (3 credits), and statistics (3 credits). All prerequisites must have been completed within the past 10 years, and applicants may enter with no more than two outstanding prerequisites. Three letters of reference are required, and the interview process includes both a traditional individual interview and a group interview format conducted on-site.
An applicant evaluating fit should weigh the program's Provisional accreditation status carefully alongside its early clinical emphasis and simulation resources, and confirm that their patient care background and prerequisite timeline align with the stated requirements before submitting early in the rolling cycle.