About the program
The University of North Dakota 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 primary mission of the University of North Dakota Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to prepare selected students to become competent physician assistants working collaboratively within the health care team, emphasizing primary care in rural communities."
Established program since 1970, Non-traditional format with both synchronous and asynchronous curriculum delivery, alternating classroom and clinical experiences.
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 not 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: 7 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
The University of North Dakota offers a 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree with ARC-PA Continued accreditation, accepting its next cohort beginning May 2027. The program has been running since 1970, making it one of the longer-established PA programs in the country, and its mission is explicitly oriented toward preparing clinicians for primary care in rural communities - a focus that should weigh heavily in any applicant's self-assessment of fit.
The program accepts out-of-state applicants but does not accept international students, and it has no distance learning or part-time options. The incoming class is small, capped at approximately 35 students, which suggests a selective and close-knit learning environment. Instruction is delivered in a non-traditional format that blends synchronous and asynchronous coursework with alternating classroom and clinical experiences, so applicants should be comfortable with a hybrid academic structure rather than a purely lecture-based model.
Academically, the minimum GPA threshold sits at 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite categories, though matriculants typically arrive with a 3.72 overall and a 3.65 science GPA, indicating meaningful competition above the floor. Prerequisites must have been completed within the past seven years, and applicants may carry no more than two outstanding prerequisites at the time of application. Required coursework includes human anatomy (3 credits), human physiology (3 credits), microbiology (2 credits), and statistics (3 credits). The application deadline is August 1, 2026, and all applications are reviewed together after that date rather than on a rolling basis.
On the patient care side, the program requires a minimum of 1,000 direct patient care hours, and that experience must be paid - volunteer hours will not satisfy this requirement. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. These are meaningful bars that distinguish serious candidates from those still building their clinical foundation.
The interview process involves both a group interview and a Multiple Mini Interview format conducted onsite, so applicants should plan and budget accordingly. A seat deposit of $500 is required upon acceptance, and the program maintains separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, a detail worth investigating early given the cost difference. At least two letters of reference are required.
An applicant should seriously consider this program if they have genuine interest in primary care and rural medicine, can demonstrate paid hands-on clinical experience, and are prepared for a hybrid curriculum structure in a small cohort setting.