Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Provide Compassionate Care to People of Every Age
Take Charge of Your Future as a Physician Assistant
Step into a career where every day matters. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences gives you the hands-on training, expert guidance and real-world experience to make an immediate difference in patients’ lives.
In just 26 months, you’ll complete a rigorous curriculum that blends classroom instruction with 44 weeks of immersive clinical experiences. DMU’s program equips you with the medical and surgical knowledge needed to diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans and perform procedures with confidence. That’s why our graduates consistently achieve first-time pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination above the national average.
26 Months
Program Length
$55,230
First-Year Tuition
Year 2: $44,184 — Year 3: $11,046
14 : 1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
98%
PANCE First-Time Pass Rate
Exceeds Five-Year National Average
Am I on Track for the PA Program?
A Quick Check. You Might Be More Prepared Than You Think.
Undergraduate Degree
A bachelor’s degree is required.
GPA
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 is required.
Prerequisite Courses
All prerequisite coursework must be taken for graded credit from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Coursework completion is required before matriculation, and pending coursework during the application cycle is acceptable.
Experience Hours
Shadowing a physician assistant is required. You must have completed at least 750 hours of direct patient care experience as an employee or volunteer in a medical office, hospital or extended-care facility.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters are required to apply.
Application
Submit your application through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants. Applications open each April for the following year’s June start.
Why DMU?
DMU’s physician assistant program blends early clinical experiences, cutting-edge simulation training and nationwide rotations with the guidance of faculty who are invested in your success.
We’re the first physician assistant program established at an osteopathic institution, and that legacy shapes everything we do: holistically, compassionately and with the whole patient in mind.
Expert Faculty Mentorship
Learn from faculty who practice clinically, volunteer with local and national physician assistant organizations and serve on statewide physician assistant boards.
Access to Cutting-Edge Technology
Train in lifelike clinical scenarios using high-fidelity manikins and equipment in the simulation center, and explore human anatomy through cadaveric dissection at tech-equipped lab stations in the anatomy lab.
Take Your Education Global
Our program offers supervised clinical practice experiences in various settings, including global health experiences.
Support From Day One
Your faculty advisor will serve as a mentor and guide you throughout your journey in the PA program.
“The quality of our PA program is reflected in the confidence, competence and professionalism of our graduates — clinicians who are prepared to make a meaningful difference from day one.
Through an innovative curriculum and exceptional faculty mentorship, DMU offers a supportive learning community where students are empowered to grow, succeed and thrive in today’s evolving health care environment.”
Holland Taylor, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Department Chair, Physician Assistant Studies Program
What You’ll Learn
In just 26 months — including 14 months of didactic coursework and 12 months of clinical coursework — DMU’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program equips you with the knowledge and experience to thrive in a variety of physician assistant roles.
In addition to foundational courses in basic science and clinical medicine, you’ll study clinical reasoning, pharmacotherapeutics, medical ethics, health systems and policy, wellness and much more. You’ll also benefit from interprofessional education experiences with internal and external health professions programs.
During the clinical phase of the program, you’ll complete a capstone project that allows you to design and implement a meaningful initiative, often with a community outreach focus. Past projects have addressed efficient patient care delivery, community health education and the assessment of local health care needs.
The possibilities are endless — and yours to shape.
Quick Facts: Curriculum and Courses
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Curriculum Built for Modern PA Practice
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Evidence-Based Practice
In cutting-edge simulation labs
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Progressive Knowledge and Skills Development
From foundational science to clinical medicine courses and more
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Interprofessional Learning
Collaborate with other health professions programs
Labs That Power Your Learning
Throughout the MSPAS program, you’ll spend significant time in the technology-rich laboratories that define our state-of-the-art West Des Moines campus, including DMU’s world-class Simulation Center.
Adams Task Training Lab
Designed for preparatory methods and procedural skills like suturing, casting and point-of-care laboratory testing.
Rakowski Surgical Skills Lab
Practice various surgical techniques in a space designed to replicate the high-pressure settings of both operating and emergency rooms.
Clinical Exam Rooms and Human Simulation Lab
Gain hands-on experience in one of 16 rooms equipped with exam tables and audiovisual equipment, allowing you to refine your clinical skills and receive feedback from faculty evaluators.
Anatomy Lab
The anatomy lab offers dissection and prosected cadaveric review to deepen your understanding of human anatomy.
Where Will Your MSPAS Take You?
Ready. Set. Go.
Physician assistant/associate consistently ranks among the best and most in-demand health care professions — today and into the future. Graduates of DMU’s MSPAS program go on to work in a wide range of settings, from primary care to specialized medical fields.
And they’re highly sought after, entering a field with a median annual salary of $133,260.* Employers actively recruit our graduates for their:
- Strong medical knowledge and clinical skills developed through rigorous academic preparation
- Extensive hands-on experience gained through diverse clinical rotations
- Excellence in communication and collaboration with patients and health care teams
- Adaptability and readiness to thrive in evolving health care environments
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Quick Facts: Program Highlights
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University Partnerships
DMU partners with select colleges and universities to offer guaranteed interview opportunities.
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65-Student Cohort
Large enough for diverse perspectives, small enough for personalized faculty support.
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One of the Best in the Nation
In 2025, U.S. News and World Report named DMU’s physician assistant program one of the best in the nation.
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ARC-PA Accredited Since 1983
Maintains national accreditation standards for PA education
Feel the Connection
When you’re not in class, training in the field or studying for exams, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved on campus and beyond.
- Join one of 50+ student clubs and organizations to connect with peers and build community.
- Get involved with the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs to practice patient-centered care with cultural humility and learn to lead with empathy.
- Explore everything the Greater Des Moines community has to offer, from cultural events to outdoor activities and local favorites.
Connect With the PA Program
The Stories That Define DMU
Des Moines University Names 2026 Commencement Speaker
George Rust, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FACPM, author of “Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring in a Nation of Needless Suffering,” will deliver the keynote address at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences’ 2026 Commencement ceremony in May.
Become Who You’re Meant to Be
Earn your MSPAS from DMU and step into your career with confidence and purpose.