About the program
The University of the Cumberlands, Northern Kentucky Campus 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 Physician Assistant Program at the Northern Kentucky Campus is to educate and prepare competent, compassionate, and committed Physician Assistant leaders who, as integral members of the modern professional healthcare team, are driven by academic excellence and will be servant leaders in their communities. The faculty and staff of the Physician Assistant Program will provide academic and clinical excellence in an environment of compassion and team cooperation, seeking to prepare clinicians for a lifelong commitment to continuing education, leadership, and medical service."
The only PA program in Northern Kentucky, and the only in-person academic program at the campus facility Monday-Friday. Off-site cadaver lab and men and women's health exam simulation.
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. 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: 10 Years
Program overview
This 27-month program, housed at the University of the Cumberlands' Northern Kentucky Campus, awards a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and is currently operating under ARC-PA probationary accreditation status - a fact applicants should investigate carefully before committing. The program is the only PA program in Northern Kentucky and the only in-person academic offering at its campus facility, running Monday through Friday. It is scheduled to begin in August 2027 and accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, though it offers no distance learning or part-time options.
The curriculum follows an organ-based and systems-based learning approach, which organizes material around body systems rather than isolated disciplines. Distinctive training elements include access to an off-site cadaver lab and simulation exercises covering men's and women's health exams. The program's mission centers on producing servant leaders who are prepared to contribute to their communities, with an explicit emphasis on academic excellence, compassionate care, and a commitment to lifelong learning - language that signals an expectation of community engagement alongside clinical competence.
The GPA bar is moderate: a minimum 3.00 overall and science GPA is required, and matriculants have averaged a 3.50 overall and 3.32 science GPA, suggesting competitive applicants should aim above the floor. The patient-care requirement sits at 500 direct patient care hours, which is relatively accessible compared to many programs; paid experience is recommended but not required, though some form of healthcare experience is mandatory. Applicants whose backgrounds skew toward clinical exposure over extensive hours may find this threshold workable.
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past ten years and includes general chemistry with lab, general biology, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics. Three letters of reference are required. The application deadline is March 1, 2027, and the program uses rolling admissions on a first-come, first-served basis, making early submission strategically important. Interviews are conducted onsite and include both panel and group formats, so applicants should be prepared to perform in both settings. The estimated incoming class size is 30 students.
Total tuition is $87,503 with a $500 seat deposit required upon acceptance. There is no differentiated tuition rate for in-state versus out-of-state students.
Given the current ARC-PA probationary status, an applicant should carefully weigh this program primarily if they have a specific reason to train in Northern Kentucky and have thoroughly reviewed the accreditation details and what steps the program is taking to achieve full standing.