About the program
The Wake Forest University (Bowman Gray) 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 Wake Forest University School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Program is to produce highly capable, compassionate PAs who deliver patient-centered care, make significant contributions to the health care community and continually advance the PA profession. Graduates of the 24-month program earn a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree."
Inquiry Based Learning; Dual Campus Locations; 24 Month Program; Academic Medical Center Affiliation; On Campus Simulation Lab
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.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: No Requirement
Program overview
This 24-month program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (Bowman Gray) awards a Master of Medical Science degree and holds ARC-PA continued accreditation. It operates on a rolling admissions basis with an application deadline of September 1, 2026, and a May 2027 start, meaning earlier applications carry a practical advantage. The program does not accept international applicants, does not offer part-time or distance learning options, and accepts out-of-state students.
The program's mission centers on producing capable, compassionate PAs who deliver patient-centered care and advance the profession - language that signals an expectation of both clinical competence and professional engagement beyond the exam room. Curriculum delivery leans heavily on active learning methods: case-based, problem-based, systems-based, and team-based formats, along with early clinical exposure. Distinctive features include inquiry-based learning, an on-campus simulation lab, academic medical center affiliation, and dual campus locations, which together suggest students will encounter a breadth of clinical environments and patient populations before reaching formal rotations.
With an incoming class of 88, this is a relatively large cohort, which can mean broader peer networks but also a more competitive applicant pool. Matriculants average a 3.6 overall and 3.6 science GPA against a minimum overall requirement of 3.20, indicating the admitted class consistently exceeds the floor by a meaningful margin. Applicants with GPAs near the minimum should weigh that gap carefully. Science prerequisites include general chemistry, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and statistics - each at three credits - with no time limit on when those courses were completed.
The patient-care bar is specific and worth noting: 1,000 hours of direct patient care are required, and those hours must be paid. Volunteer or observation hours will not satisfy this requirement. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. Applicants should audit their experience carefully before applying, since the paid-only standard screens out a meaningful portion of pre-PA candidates who have accumulated hours in unpaid roles.
The GRE is required; the MCAT is explicitly not accepted. A minimum of three letters of reference are needed. Interviews may be traditional, panel, or group format, and an onsite interview is not required. Total tuition is $94,726 with a $1,000 seat deposit; there are no separate in-state or out-of-state tuition rates.
An applicant who fits this program well has a GPA at or above 3.6, paid clinical hours that meet or exceed 1,000, comfort working in team-based and inquiry-driven learning environments, and a genuine interest in practicing within or adjacent to an academic medical center setting - those who align on all four dimensions should apply early given the rolling review process.