About the program
The Ohio 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 Ohio University Master of Physician Assistant Practice program is to prepare students to be leaders in Physician Assistant practice in any clinical setting, with a particular emphasis on primary care in urban and rural underserved communities in the State of Ohio and throughout Appalachia."
Anatomy lab (4:1 student to cadaver ratio), state of the art facilities.
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. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Ohio University's Master of Physician Assistant Practice is a 27-month, ARC-PA accredited program that awards a Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree, with the next cohort beginning in January 2027. The program is built around a clear service mission: preparing PAs to lead in any clinical setting, with a deliberate focus on primary care for urban and rural underserved populations across Ohio and throughout the Appalachian region. Applicants drawn to community-centered medicine and underserved care will find that orientation woven throughout the program's identity rather than treated as an afterthought.
The curriculum draws on a robust mix of pedagogical approaches, including asynchronous learning, case-based and problem-based learning, organ and systems-based instruction, team-based collaboration, and early clinical exposure. A notable feature is the anatomy lab, which operates at a four-to-one student-to-cadaver ratio - a meaningful resource for hands-on learning in a field where anatomical fluency matters. Facilities are described as state of the art. The program does not offer a part-time track or distance learning, so students should plan for a full-time, in-person commitment. International applicants are not accepted, though out-of-state domestic applicants are welcome.
Academically, this program sets a minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 3.00, but admitted matriculants have averaged a 3.85 overall and 3.76 science GPA, indicating a competitive pool even within that open floor. The GRE is required; the MCAT is not accepted. Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry with lab (8 credits), general biology with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology (3 credits), microbiology with lab (4 credits), and statistics (3 credits), all completed within the past ten years. Up to two prerequisites may be outstanding at the time of application. Paid direct patient care is recommended but not required, though healthcare experience of some kind is required.
The estimated incoming class size is 35 students, creating a relatively intimate cohort. Separate tuition rates apply for in-state and out-of-state students, and a seat deposit of $1,500 is required upon acceptance. The application deadline is August 1, 2026, and all applications are reviewed together after that date under a regular admissions model rather than on a rolling basis, meaning there is no advantage to applying earlier beyond meeting the deadline. At least two letters of reference are required. Interviews include both group interview and Multiple Mini Interview formats and can be conducted remotely, as an onsite interview is not required.
An applicant should weigh this program most seriously if they have a strong science foundation, competitive GPA numbers above the stated minimums, and genuine interest in serving underserved communities in Ohio or Appalachia - that mission alignment will matter throughout both the application and the training itself.