About the program
The University of Nevada, Reno 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 Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program is to train flexible and committed primary care clinicians dedicated to strengthening health care in their communities."
State of the Art Gross Anatomy and Simulation Lab and Ultrasound Education
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: no. 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: No Requirement
Program overview
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine offers a 25-month MPAS program with ARC-PA Continued accreditation, next cohort beginning June 2027. With an incoming class of 26 students, this is a small program oriented squarely toward producing primary care clinicians committed to serving their communities - the mission statement makes that focus explicit, and applicants who are not genuinely drawn to primary care and community health work should consider whether the fit is right before applying.
The admissions bar is accessible on paper but carries meaningful experiential requirements. The minimum overall GPA is 2.75, which is lower than many programs, but the 2,000-hour direct patient care requirement - and the stipulation that those hours must be paid - raises the practical floor considerably. Volunteer or shadowing hours will not satisfy this requirement. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. Applicants should plan accordingly when timing their application, particularly since the program uses rolling admissions with a September 1, 2026 deadline, meaning earlier submission carries a real advantage.
The curriculum blends traditional didactic instruction with case-based learning and puts notable resources behind clinical skills training. The program highlights a state-of-the-art gross anatomy and simulation lab as well as dedicated ultrasound education, both of which signal investment in hands-on technical preparation. All instruction is delivered on-site - there is no distance learning component and no part-time option, so students must be prepared for full-time, in-person commitment throughout the 25 months.
Total tuition runs $113,943 with no separate in-state and out-of-state rates, and a $1,000 seat deposit is required upon acceptance. Out-of-state applicants are welcome; international applicants are not accepted. Prerequisite coursework includes general chemistry, general biology, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics. There is no stated time limit on when these prerequisites must have been completed. Three letters of reference are required.
The interview process is notably multifaceted, involving a panel interview, a group interview, and a scenario room component - candidates should prepare for evaluations that go beyond a standard one-on-one conversation and likely assess both clinical reasoning and interpersonal dynamics under observed conditions.
Applicants who are serious about primary care, have already accumulated substantial paid clinical experience, and want a small cohort with strong simulation and ultrasound training in a program that values community-oriented practice should assess whether this aligns with their career goals before submitting early in the rolling cycle.