About the program
The University of Arkansas 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 UAMS Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is to produce graduates who will practice transformative patient-and family-centered care with the highest professional standards in any community by doing the following: Embracing individuality Collaborating effectively with all members of a health care team Contributing to the physician assistant profession through leadership, education and service"
We offer several unique educational opportunities in our program including small class sizes, actual patient encounters by the 5th week of the program, and our weekly small-group case-based course that occurs for three semesters.
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. Transfer students are accepted. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
The University of Arkansas offers a 28-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies program housed within UAMS, carrying continued ARC-PA accreditation. The program accepts an incoming class of approximately 40 students and is structured around collaborative, team-based learning with an organ- and systems-based curriculum design. It operates on a full-time, in-person basis with no part-time or distance learning options available.
The program's mission centers on producing graduates capable of delivering transformative, patient- and family-centered care at the highest professional standards across any community setting, with particular emphasis on embracing individuality, effective interprofessional collaboration, and contributing to the PA profession through leadership, education, and service. These values show up concretely in the curriculum: students engage in actual patient encounters as early as the fifth week of the program, an unusually early clinical touchpoint that distinguishes this program structurally. A small-group, case-based course running across three semesters reinforces applied clinical reasoning in an intimate setting, and small class sizes support ongoing faculty access and cohort cohesion.
Competitive applicants will have matriculant GPAs clustering around 3.7 overall and 3.64 science, though the stated minimums are 3.0 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework. Healthcare experience is required, though paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandatory. Applicants should note the seven-year prerequisite time limit, and no more than two prerequisites may be outstanding at the time of application. Required coursework includes eight credits each of general chemistry and general biology both with labs, four credits each of human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology all with labs, and three credits of statistics.
The program uses rolling admissions reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with an application deadline of November 1, 2026, for a May 2027 start. This makes early submission a genuine competitive advantage rather than a formality. The required onsite interview involves a multi-format process including traditional, panel, group, and scenario room components, which suggests the program evaluates interpersonal and collaborative skills directly alongside academic credentials. Three letters of recommendation are required. A seat deposit of $500 is due upon acceptance, and the program maintains separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. International applicants are considered with exceptions noted on the program website.
Applicants who thrive in close collaborative cohorts, have strong science preparation, and are drawn to early hands-on clinical immersion should assess whether this program's structure and mission genuinely align with how they learn and where they intend to practice.