About the program
The Northern Arizona 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 Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program is to educate individuals from inclusive backgrounds and lived experiences, and graduate physician assistants who provide high quality, compassionate medical care to the people of Arizona."
Rural Health Professions Program, strong emphasis on health equity and interprofessional education, 6:1 student faculty ratio, high-fidelity simulation, integrated PANCE preparation integration, diverse clinical settings
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: No Requirement
Program overview
Northern Arizona University offers a 24-month MPAS program based in Arizona that carries continued ARC-PA accreditation and admits an incoming class of approximately 60 students each year. The program begins in August 2027, and given its rolling admissions process with a September 1, 2026 application deadline, early submission is strongly advised since applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program's mission centers on educating individuals from inclusive backgrounds and diverse lived experiences, with a clear orientation toward serving Arizona's population - particularly underserved and rural communities. This focus is reinforced through the Rural Health Professions Program, a strong emphasis on health equity, and interprofessional education woven throughout the curriculum. Applicants drawn to primary care in underserved or rural settings will find the mission unusually well-aligned with that career path. Instruction blends traditional didactic coursework with case-based and organ/systems-based learning, and the program uses high-fidelity simulation alongside a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio that suggests a relatively intimate learning environment. PANCE preparation is integrated throughout rather than treated as a separate add-on, and students rotate through diverse clinical settings during the clinical phase.
The minimum GPA requirement is 3.00 for both overall and science coursework, though matriculants typically arrive with a 3.76 overall and a 3.70 science GPA, so competitive applicants should aim meaningfully above the floor. Healthcare experience is required for admission, though paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandatory. Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry with lab, general biology, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and at least two credits of statistics, with no stated time limit on when those prerequisites were completed.
Three letters of reference are required, and the interview process involves both traditional and group formats, conducted without a required onsite component. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants, though international candidates should review the program's website for specific conditions. No part-time or distance learning options exist, so applicants must be prepared for full-time, in-person study. Separate tuition rates apply, meaning in-state and out-of-state candidates will pay different amounts, which is worth factoring into a financial comparison.
An applicant should assess fit primarily by asking whether rural and underserved Arizona healthcare aligns with their genuine professional goals, and whether they can submit a polished, complete application well before the September 2026 deadline given the rolling review process.