About the program
The University of Montana 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 University of Montana School of Physician Associate (PA) Studies is to graduate versatile PAs competent to deliver high-quality patient-centered care in resource-limited environments."
The University of Montana Physician Associate (PA) Program is dedicated to training physician associates/assistants to serve the rural communities of Montana and other underserved populations.
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. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
This 26-month MPAS program at the University of Montana holds provisional ARC-PA accreditation and is built around a clear, practical mission: graduating versatile physician associates prepared to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in resource-limited and rural settings. The program is explicitly oriented toward serving Montana's rural communities and other underserved populations, making it a strong fit for applicants who share that professional orientation rather than those drawn primarily to urban academic medical centers.
The curriculum integrates case-based, problem-based, collaborative team-based, and organ/systems-based learning, reflecting a pedagogical approach that emphasizes clinical reasoning and real-world problem-solving from early in training. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning, and the incoming class is small at 24 students, which suggests a fairly intensive, cohort-driven experience. The program launches its first cohort in August 2027.
On the academic side, applicants need a minimum 3.00 overall GPA and 3.00 science GPA, with a lower floor of 2.00 for prerequisite coursework specifically. Prerequisites must have been completed within the last ten years, and up to two outstanding prerequisites are permitted at the time of application. Required science coursework includes general chemistry with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology with lab (4 credits), microbiology with lab (4 credits), and statistics with lab (3 credits). Notably, paid direct patient care experience is recommended but not required, and healthcare experience more broadly falls into the same category - recommended but not mandatory. This makes the program more accessible to applicants who have meaningful exposure but may lack formal paid clinical hours.
The application deadline is September 1, 2026, and the program uses rolling admissions on a first-come, first-served basis, which means early submission carries real strategic weight. Three letters of reference are required. The interview process is multi-faceted, involving group interviews, multiple mini interviews, and a scenario room component, so applicants should prepare for a varied, evaluative day rather than a single traditional interview. The program accepts out-of-state and international applicants, though international candidates should consult the program's website for specific conditions. Tuition differs by residency status, and the seat deposit is $1,000.
An applicant should seriously consider whether a genuine commitment to rural and underserved medicine aligns with their long-term practice goals before applying, since that mission is central to what this program is designed to produce.