About the program
The Ohio Dominican 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 Ohio Dominican PA Program will educate students to become qualified members of the healthcare team, promoting service and excellence in academics, professionalism, and clinical care. Graduates will be prepared to deliver holistic, evidence-based, patient-centered care in a wide variety of practice settings."
First program located in Central Ohio, On Campus Simulation Lab, On Campus Cadaver Lab, Service Learning Opportunities, Only Catholic Higher Learning Institution in Central Ohio
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. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement
Program overview
Ohio Dominican University offers a 27-month MSPAS program in Columbus, Ohio, holding Continued accreditation status from ARC-PA. The program carries a general curriculum without a specific clinical focus, preparing graduates to deliver holistic, evidence-based, patient-centered care across a wide range of practice settings, grounded in the institution's identity as the only Catholic institution of higher learning in Central Ohio. Service learning is explicitly woven into the program, and students have access to on-campus simulation and cadaver labs, which are meaningful practical resources for hands-on skill development. The inaugural cohort is set to begin in August 2027, making this a newer program and the first PA program based in Central Ohio.
The minimum GPA requirements sit at 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, though matriculants have averaged a 3.73 overall and 3.66 science GPA, so competitive applicants should aim considerably higher than the floor. The patient-care bar is relatively accessible at 250 hours, but those hours must be paid and direct, with general healthcare experience also required. Applicants building their hours through volunteer or shadowing work alone will not meet the paid requirement. Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry with lab, general biology, human anatomy with lab, human physiology, microbiology with lab, and statistics, with no time limit imposed on when those courses were completed.
The program accepts out-of-state applicants but does not accept international students, has no part-time or distance learning options, and requires a GRE score, though the MCAT is also accepted. At least two letters of reference are required, and all interviewed candidates must attend an onsite traditional interview. Admission is rolling on a first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of October 1, 2026, so submitting early in the cycle is strategically important. The estimated class size is 50 students. Total tuition runs $92,778 with a $1,500 seat deposit required upon acceptance.
Applicants drawn to a faith-affiliated academic environment, service-oriented mission, and the practical advantages of on-site simulation and cadaver resources in a growing Central Ohio program should weigh whether their GPA profile is genuinely competitive relative to matriculant averages and confirm that their patient-care hours meet the paid-only requirement before applying.