About the program
The Radford 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 Radford University Physician Assistant Program is to graduate ethical, competent, and compassionate PAs who are well versed in the art and science of medicine and are prepared to effectively function as members of the interprofessional healthcare team."
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. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 5 Years
Program overview
Radford University offers a 27-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree based in Virginia, with the next cohort beginning August 2026. The program holds ARC-PA Continued accreditation, accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, and operates entirely on campus with no distance learning or part-time options.
The admissions bar is accessible but not minimal. All three GPA thresholds - overall, science, and prerequisite - sit at 3.00, making the program a reasonable target for competitive applicants who have built solid but not exceptional academic records. The direct patient care requirement of 500 hours is on the lower end of the spectrum, which may suit applicants earlier in their pre-PA journey, though the program recommends paid direct patient care experience without making it mandatory. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is not required. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last five years and includes two semesters of general chemistry with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics.
The curriculum is structured around case-based and systems-based learning, with an emphasis on collaborative team-based approaches and early clinical exposure - a design that mirrors how PAs will actually function in practice. The program's mission centers on graduating ethical, competent, and compassionate clinicians who are prepared to work as part of an interprofessional healthcare team, which reflects a practical orientation toward real-world clinical environments rather than a narrowly research-focused identity.
Total tuition runs $84,514 with no separate in-state or out-of-state rate distinction, which is worth noting for Virginia residents who might expect a tuition advantage. A seat deposit of $500 is required upon acceptance. The estimated incoming class size is 42 students.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of November 1, 2025, meaning early submission carries a meaningful strategic advantage. Three letters of reference are required. Finalists should expect a required on-site interview that includes a panel interview, a group interview, and a scenario room component - a format that assesses not just clinical reasoning but interpersonal and team dynamics, consistent with the program's collaborative curriculum philosophy.
Applicants should consider whether the combination of a moderate GPA floor, a manageable patient care minimum, early clinical exposure in the curriculum, and a team-based learning environment aligns with how they learn and where they are in their pre-PA development.