About the program
The Stanford 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 Stanford School of Medicine Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) Studies Program is to educate and train compassionate and diverse PAs who can provide high-quality patient-centered care, are dedicated to improving access to healthcare, and are inspired to become leaders in healthcare."
Small class size, multiple longitudinal mentors, top-notch facilities, access to electives only offered at Stanford, flipped classroom learning model. Leadership track and thesis project.
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. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
This program publishes its prerequisite list on its own website rather than through PAEA. Verify required coursework with the admissions office before applying.
Program overview
Stanford University's PA program awards a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and runs for 28 months, with the next cohort beginning in August 2027. It holds Continued accreditation from ARC-PA, accepts both out-of-state and international applicants (with certain exceptions noted on the program's website), and operates entirely on campus with no distance learning or part-time option available.
The program is built around a hybrid curriculum that blends case-based and organ/systems-based learning, with a flipped classroom model meaning students are expected to engage with material independently before applying it in structured sessions. That design rewards self-directed learners who are comfortable taking initiative rather than waiting to be walked through content. The mission centers on developing compassionate, diverse clinicians committed to patient-centered care, improved healthcare access, and leadership - and the curriculum backs that up structurally: a formal leadership track and a thesis project are woven into the program, making this a notably research- and scholarship-oriented environment by PA school standards. A small class of approximately 29 students benefits from multiple longitudinal mentors and access to clinical electives exclusive to Stanford, which can meaningfully shape a student's exposure during training.
The academic bar is high. Matriculants carry both an overall and science GPA of 3.8, placing this program among the most competitive in the country on paper credentials alone. Applicants who fall below that threshold should think carefully before investing time here. Direct patient care experience and general healthcare experience are recommended but not required, which is a meaningful distinction - the program does not screen on hours, though competitive applicants will likely have them.
Tuition totals $190,620 for the full program, with no differentiation between in-state and out-of-state rates. That figure sits at the higher end of PA program costs nationally, and prospective students should model total debt load carefully, particularly given that PA salaries, while solid, are not uniformly high across all practice settings.
The application deadline is July 15, 2026, for the August 2027 start, and all applications are reviewed together after that date closes - there is no rolling admission advantage, so early submission does not confer a timing benefit beyond ensuring materials are complete. At least two letters of reference are required. Interviews are conducted as panel interviews and are required on-site.
Prerequisites must have been completed within the past ten years, which may affect applicants with older science coursework.
An applicant should pursue this program if they genuinely want a research-engaged, leadership-oriented training environment at an academically rigorous institution, and if their GPA and financial picture can realistically support the commitment.