About the program
The Mary Baldwin University (Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences) 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 Program's mission is to academically and clinically prepare students for PA practice as compassionate, effective, qualified clinicians able to serve in a variety of medical specialty areas and settings in collaboration with licensed physicians. This is accomplished in an environment promoting diversity along with respect for self and others. The Program is committed to leadership, interprofessional education, and collaborative practice. This mission is realized in a dynamic and holistic learning environment dedicated to critical reasoning, engaged learning and scholarship, and innovative teaching with a strong commitment to service, especially for those in underserved or disadvantaged areas. Veritably, the Program holds that the primary goal of medical training is service to humanity."
Fully accredited by ARC-PA; interprofessional curricular focus means classroom prep for the real world; 96-100% first-time PANCE pass rates 2019-2024; clinic experience in first semester; 1000+ clinic contracts nationwide; eight 6-week rotations for 2000 hours; on-campus simulation lab; state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and research spaces; community involvement; small class sizes; peer and faculty mentors, engaged alumni network; articulation agreements for guaranteed interviews
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 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
Program overview
Mary Baldwin University's Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences offers a 27-month MSPA program in Staunton, Virginia, with the next cohort beginning January 2026. The program holds continued ARC-PA accreditation and admits approximately 40 students per class, keeping the learning environment deliberately small to support mentorship and engaged instruction. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis with a deadline of October 1, 2025, so early submission is a practical advantage.
The minimum overall GPA is 3.00, and while paid direct patient care and general healthcare experience are both recommended rather than required, applicants who have invested in hands-on clinical work will be better positioned in a competitive pool. Prerequisite coursework - including general chemistry with lab, general biology with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics - must have been completed within the past ten years, a window that is more permissive than many programs but still worth auditing carefully. The program accepts out-of-state students but does not accept international applicants and offers no part-time or distance-learning options.
Curriculum draws on case-based, problem-based, systems-based, and team-based methods, reflecting the program's explicit commitment to interprofessional education and collaborative practice. Clinical exposure begins in the first semester, which is an early entry point relative to many PA programs. The clinical year consists of eight six-week rotations totaling 2,000 hours, supported by more than 1,000 clinic contracts nationwide. An on-campus simulation lab supplements that hands-on preparation. First-time PANCE pass rates ran between 96 and 100 percent from 2019 through 2024, which is a concrete performance indicator worth noting. The mission centers on producing clinicians prepared to serve in underserved and disadvantaged communities, and community involvement and service are embedded throughout the program's stated values.
Total tuition is $89,028 with a $2,000 seat deposit required upon acceptance. There is no separate tuition rate for in-state students. Required standardized testing includes the GRE - the MCAT is not accepted - along with CASPer; TOEFL is required for applicable applicants. Three letters of reference are required, and the interview process is a traditional, required on-site format.
An applicant deciding whether this program is a strong fit should honestly assess how their GPA, prerequisite timeline, and service orientation align with a program that rewards early applicants, values community-focused medicine, and expects candidates to thrive in a small, interprofessional cohort environment.