About the program
The South University, West Palm Beach 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 South University Physician Assistant (MSPA) is to educate a diverse student population and prepare graduates to practice the art and science of medicine while providing high-quality, equitable, and inclusive patient-centered healthcare."
Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), human cadaver experience using state-of-the-art preservation techniques by Global Anatomix (GAX), crucial applied learning experiences designed to prepare students for the clinical phase.
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
South University's West Palm Beach campus offers a 27-month program awarding a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, currently holding Continued accreditation status from ARC-PA. The program accepts its next cohort beginning January 2027, with a class size of approximately 50 students. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning early submission is a practical advantage, and the final deadline is August 1, 2026.
The GPA floor is 3.00 for both overall and science coursework, and the typical matriculant enters with a 3.6 in both areas, so competitive applicants should aim well above the minimum. Direct patient care experience is recommended but not required, which makes this a reasonable option for applicants who are still building their clinical hours, though those with stronger experience will likely be more competitive given the applicant pool. The program accepts out-of-state students and international applicants with certain exceptions, and there is no prerequisite time limit, which benefits career-changers with older science coursework.
Prerequisites include six credits of general chemistry with lab, six credits of general biology, and three credits each of human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology, all with associated lab components. The GRE is required; the MCAT is not accepted. Three letters of reference are mandatory, and all admitted applicants must complete an onsite interview, which may take the form of a traditional, panel, group, or multiple mini interview format.
Curricular delivery draws on asynchronous learning, case-based and problem-based approaches, organ and systems-based organization, team-based learning, and early clinical exposure. Notable applied learning elements include objective structured clinical examinations and hands-on cadaver work using state-of-the-art preservation techniques through Global Anatomix. These components are explicitly positioned as preparation for the clinical phase rather than as standalone enrichment. The program's mission centers on educating a diverse student population and preparing graduates to provide equitable, patient-centered care.
Total tuition is $97,704 with a $1,000 seat deposit required upon acceptance. There is no part-time option and no distance learning component, so students should plan for a full-time, in-person commitment across the program's duration.
Applicants should honestly assess whether their GPA, patient care background, and prerequisite science preparation align with the profile of students who have successfully matriculated, and weigh the full-time in-person format and total cost against their personal circumstances before applying.