About the program
The University of New Mexico 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 New Mexico Physician Assistant (PA) Program is to educate PA students to become exemplary providers with a focus on primary care medicine for the underserved and rural populations of New Mexico."
Curriculum is integrated with MD students at the School of Medicine. Clinical experience (rotations) are focused in rural an underserved areas in the state.
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 1 outstanding at application
Program overview
The University of New Mexico offers a 27-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with ARC-PA continued accreditation, designed explicitly to train clinicians for primary care service in rural and underserved communities across New Mexico. This mission-driven focus is not incidental - it shapes nearly every structural element of the program, from how clinical rotations are assigned to how the curriculum is delivered. Prospective applicants who are genuinely committed to serving medically underserved populations, particularly within New Mexico, will find the program's priorities align closely with their own goals.
The program accepts a class of 26 students beginning each June, with the next cohort starting June 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of August 1, 2026, meaning early submission carries real strategic weight. Both out-of-state and international applicants are accepted, though international applicants should consult the program website for applicable exceptions. Separate tuition rates exist for in-state and out-of-state students, and a seat deposit of $1,000 is required upon acceptance.
Academically, matriculants have averaged a 3.7 overall GPA and a 3.6 science GPA, though the program sets its minimum threshold at 3.0 for both. Science prerequisites include general chemistry with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab, human physiology, and microbiology (each 4 credits), all completed within the past ten years. Applicants may have no more than one outstanding prerequisite at the time of application. The clinical experience bar is substantive: at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care are required, and those hours must be paid - volunteer hours do not satisfy this requirement. General healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required.
Curricular delivery integrates case-based, problem-based, systems-based, and team-based learning with early clinical exposure. Notably, PA students take coursework alongside MD students at the UNM School of Medicine, providing meaningful interprofessional education from the start. Clinical rotations are concentrated in rural and underserved sites across the state, giving students practical exposure to the patient populations the program explicitly aims to serve.
The application requires a minimum of three reference letters, and all candidates must complete an onsite interview. The program uses a combination of traditional interviews, group interviews, and Multiple Mini Interviews, so applicants should prepare for varied formats within a single interview process. There is no part-time option and no distance learning component, making this a full-time, in-person commitment for the full 27 months.
An applicant should honestly assess whether their career goals center on primary care for underserved or rural populations - and whether they can demonstrate that commitment through their patient care background - before deciding this program is the right fit.