About the program
The University of Kentucky 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 University of Kentucky Physician Assistant (PA) Program's mission is to educate highly skilled, compassionate physician assistants trained to provide exceptional patient care and advance healthcare in underserved and rural communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Our program's success in fulfilling this mission is founded on: Rigorous academic training Active community engagement A collaborative environment fostering care for others, innovation, leadership, and excellence."
international clinical experiences, full cadaver gross anatomy lab, early patient care experience during didactic year, community service, focus on rural health, high touch individual advising, post graduate residency opportunities, non-thesis research based didactic 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. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
The University of Kentucky offers a 29-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree with ARC-PA Continued accreditation, accepting a relatively large incoming class of approximately 56 students and starting in January 2027. Applications are reviewed after the July 15, 2026 deadline passes, meaning this is a standard post-deadline review cycle rather than a rolling process.
The program's mission centers explicitly on producing PAs equipped to serve underserved and rural communities across Kentucky, and this focus runs throughout the curriculum and clinical training structure. Applicants genuinely interested in rural or community health will find that emphasis embedded throughout the experience rather than treated as an afterthought. International clinical experiences and post-graduate residency opportunities extend that practical reach further, while a full cadaver gross anatomy lab and early patient care exposure during the didactic year signal a hands-on approach from the start. The curriculum blends case-based, problem-based, systems-based, and team-based learning models alongside a non-thesis research project, so students should expect active participation rather than passive lecture formats. Community service is a noted program component, reinforcing the mission-aligned training philosophy.
At a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, the program's academic floor is accessible, but applicants should note that the competitive reality of a 56-seat cohort drawn from a broad applicant pool may push average accepted GPAs considerably higher. The paid direct patient care requirement is notable - only one hour is the stated minimum, but paid experience must be part of it. Healthcare experience is recommended but not required. Up to two outstanding prerequisites are permitted at application, and there is no time limit on prerequisite coursework. Required science prerequisites include general chemistry with lab, general biology with lab, microbiology with lab, human anatomy, human physiology, and statistics.
Separate tuition rates apply for in-state and out-of-state students, so cost calculations will differ meaningfully depending on residency status. A seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance. Three letters of reference are required, and interviews are conducted in a traditional format with no required on-site component. International applicants are accepted with certain exceptions, and the program directs those candidates to its website for specifics.
Applicants should honestly assess whether rural and underserved community health genuinely aligns with their career goals, since that mission shapes program culture, clinical placements, and the type of graduate the program is actively trying to produce.