About the program
The Stephens College 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 Stephens College Physician Assistant program is dedicated to transforming students into excellent clinicians who practice with compassion. The program emphasizes leadership within the profession while working in an inter-professional team."
Cadaver lab, High PANCE pass rate, own building
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 not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years · up to 1 outstanding at application
Program overview
Stephens College in Missouri offers a 27-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree that holds Continued accreditation from ARC-PA and welcomes its next cohort in January 2027. The program is a good fit for applicants who have built a solid academic record and meaningful hands-on patient-care experience, as matriculants typically present with an overall GPA of 3.66 and a science GPA of 3.60, though the program sets its minimum threshold at 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework. A floor of 750 paid direct patient care hours is required, and healthcare experience beyond that is also expected - a signal that the program wants applicants who already understand clinical environments before they arrive.
The mission centers on producing compassionate, skilled clinicians who can lead within interprofessional teams, and the curriculum reflects that emphasis through case-based, problem-based, collaborative, and organ-systems-based learning approaches. These methods put students in active problem-solving roles rather than passive lecture settings, which suits applicants who learn well in discussion-heavy environments. The program has its own dedicated building and a cadaver lab, providing hands-on anatomical training on site, and the program highlights a high PANCE pass rate as evidence of clinical preparation outcomes.
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last seven years and carries a 3.00 minimum GPA requirement. Required courses include general chemistry (6 credits), general biology with lab (3 credits), human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology, and statistics. No more than one prerequisite may be outstanding at the time of application. International applicants are accepted with certain conditions, and out-of-state students are welcome, though the program offers no distance learning or part-time option.
The class size of approximately 30 students suggests a tight cohort with significant access to faculty and small-group instruction. Total tuition comes to $102,050 with a seat deposit of $999. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis through a June 15, 2026 deadline, making early submission a practical advantage. Three letters of reference are required, and selected candidates must complete a required onsite panel interview before a seat is offered.
Applicants should honestly assess whether their paid patient-care hours, GPA profile, and comfort with active learning formats align with what Stephens consistently enrolls and rewards.