About the program
The Northwestern College 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 Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program is to equip faith-filled providers with exceptional medical education to serve in all communities with an emphasis on rural and underserved populations with excellence, integrity, and compassion."
On-site cadaver lab, on-campus simulation lab, faith-based curriculum
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 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Northwestern College in Iowa offers a 27-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with ARC-PA Continued accreditation, beginning in May 2027. The program is explicitly faith-based in its mission and curriculum, making it a particularly strong fit for applicants who want their professional formation grounded in Christian values. Its stated emphasis on rural and underserved populations signals that the program is actively seeking candidates with an orientation toward service in communities that often lack adequate healthcare access.
The academic bar is meaningful but accessible to a broad pool of competitive applicants. Minimum GPA requirements sit at 3.30 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, while matriculants typically arrive with a 3.7 overall and 3.6 science GPA - so hitting the floor is not sufficient to be competitive. Prerequisites include human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and statistics, each requiring at least three credits, and coursework must have been completed within the past ten years. Up to three outstanding prerequisites are permitted at application, which offers some flexibility for applicants still finishing requirements. Paid direct patient care experience is required, with a minimum of 500 hours, and general healthcare experience is also mandatory. These thresholds are on the lower end compared to many programs, which may benefit applicants earlier in their pre-PA journey, though the competitive matriculant profile suggests admitted students often exceed these minimums.
The curriculum integrates case-based, problem-based, organ/systems-based, and team-based learning, reflecting a modern, active-learning approach rather than a traditional lecture-heavy model. On-site resources include a cadaver lab and a simulation lab, giving students hands-on clinical preparation before they reach rotations. The faith-based curriculum thread runs throughout the program, consistent with Northwestern College's institutional identity.
Total tuition is $93,960 for the full program with no separate in-state or out-of-state rate differentiation, and a $500 seat deposit is required upon acceptance. The incoming class is capped at 32 students, creating a relatively intimate cohort environment. Out-of-state and international applicants are accepted, though international candidates should review the program's website for specific eligibility conditions.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of September 1, 2026, so early submission is strongly advantageous. Three letters of reference are required, and the interview process includes both a traditional individual interview and a group interview, held on-site. Distance learning and part-time enrollment are not available.
An applicant should consider whether their personal values align with a faith-integrated training environment and whether they have a genuine interest in rural or underserved practice before investing in this program.