About the program
The Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion 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 Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Physician Assistant program is to prepare students to provide healthcare in a broad range of medical settings by training them in the medical arts and sciences in an inclusive, multicultural environment dedicated to the delivery of patient-centered care, while fostering a strong commitment to clinical and community partnerships."
Incorporated ultrasound throughout the didatic phase, Simulation and Immersive Learning Center and Student-run Hopes Clinic
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: no. DACA status applicants are not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 5 Years
Program overview
The Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University offers a 28-month Master of Physician Assistant program that holds Continued ARC-PA accreditation and accepts its next cohort beginning January 2028. With an estimated incoming class size of 80 students, this is a relatively large program, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the March 1, 2027 deadline closes.
The program's mission centers on preparing graduates to work across a broad range of medical settings, with an explicit emphasis on inclusivity, multicultural education, and patient-centered care. Community engagement is woven into that mission through clinical and community partnerships, including a student-run Hopes Clinic that gives trainees hands-on experience serving underserved populations. During the didactic phase, students also work with ultrasound technology integrated throughout coursework - a practical, increasingly valued clinical skill - and have access to a Simulation and Immersive Learning Center. The program does not designate a specific curricular focus area, positioning graduates for generalist practice across specialties.
Competitive applicants are coming in with an overall GPA of 3.6 and a science GPA of 3.5, though the program sets minimums at 3.20 overall. Paid direct patient care is recommended but not required, and the same applies to healthcare experience more broadly, which makes this program more accessible to applicants who have accumulated clinical exposure through volunteer or observational roles rather than paid positions. That said, building a substantive patient care record will still strengthen a candidacy in a competitive field of applicants. International applicants are not accepted, but out-of-state students are welcome, and the program does offer separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students - an important cost consideration given the 28-month commitment.
Prerequisite coursework requirements include general chemistry at three credits, human anatomy with lab at four credits, human physiology with lab at four credits, and microbiology at three credits, all completed within the past five years. Applicants must submit at least two reference letters. The interview process involves both a traditional interview and a group interview format, and attendance at an onsite interview is required. There is a $500 seat deposit upon acceptance.
The program offers no part-time or distance learning options, so applicants must be prepared to commit fully and in person. An applicant should weigh this program most seriously if they are drawn to community-oriented, generalist practice, can meet the science prerequisite timeline, and are comfortable with both individual and group interview formats.