Requirements

Admission Emphasis

Applicants who are seeking admission to School of Graduate Studies must meet all of the minimum general School of Graduate Studies admission requirements identified in the graduate catalog. In addition, the prospective student must fulfill the requirements for admission to the graduate program in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Admission to the Physician Assistant Program within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota is a competitive selection process. Each applicant is reviewed individually and evaluated on their own merits.

The admission requirements are consistent with the Program mission to prepare competent PAs to serve as primary care providers in rural and/or underserved areas. Along with the mission, the goal is to improve access to health care, help alleviate shortages of primary care providers and deliver comprehensive, affordable health care services to the people of rural and/or underserved populations. Consequently, acceptance is on a competitive basis with an emphasis on the proven adult learner with recent clinical health care experience and insight and inclination to meet the Program mission.

For complete requirements, please see our website for the most current information regarding prerequisites and application instructions at http://www.med.UND.edu/physician-assistant/. 

The UND PA Program seeks applicants with:

Academic preparation including:

• solid achievement in undergraduate coursework,
• quality performance in prerequisite coursework (information on prerequisites can be found on the Prerequisites tab on the website above),
• ability to learn in an adult learner model, accelerated environment.

Dedication and experience with rural (<25,000 population) and underserved populations including:

• prior clinical health care experience with rural and underserved populations,
• residence in rural and/or underserved geographic areas,
• potential to work as a PA with rural and/or underserved populations.

Clinical experience including:

• background and potential for a career as a clinical PA serving the mission of the UND Program,
• understanding of the Physician Assistant role,
• levels of previous clinical health care experience that involves critical thinking and decision making,
• evidence of effective health care team effectiveness,
• strong references from physicians, physician assistants, and other clinical supervisors.

Admission Preference

Preference is given to applicants who apply with a sponsored clinical site or as a team with a licensed physician (MD or DO) and/or physician assistant who is willing to serve as the primary care preceptor to the student during the clinical portion of the program.  More information about applying with a preceptor can be found on the Prerequisites tab on the website above.

Preference is given to candidates whose core science coursework has been completed within 7 years of the application deadline. In addition, it is strongly encouraged that candidates update prerequisite science coursework older than 7 years.

North Dakota residents as well as residents from the bordering states of Montana, Minnesota, and South Dakota are given admission preference.

Applicants from rural (<25,000 population) or underserved communities are also awarded preference.

Please note that decisions of the Admission Committee are not appealable and acceptance into the UND PA Program and successful completion of the program does not imply or guarantee that the student will be able to pass the national certification exam or obtain state licensure upon graduation.

Degree Requirements

• Four-year bachelor’s degree or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution within the United States,

• Degree must be completed by December 31^st of the application year. Additional instruction can be found on the How to Apply tab on the website above.
• Health-related or science-based degrees are preferred,
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) is required.  Consideration is given with more recent transcripts showing significant improvement in science coursework.

Health Care Requirements

A minimum of 1000 hours of health care experience must be completed within the United States and be related to direct (hands-on), supervised patient care showing commitment to a career in medicine. Experience should involve assessment and treatment relating to Western (allopathic) medicine and medical professional judgment. Hours accrued in a student/learner role are not acceptable. This ensures foundational knowledge and skills needed for successful completion of this program.

Although all health care disciplines are certainly valuable to the practice of medicine, clinical health care experiences which lack high-level direct patient care and decision-making responsibilities do not prepare students for successful completion of the accelerated program or the professional board exam. Examples of disciplines that would not count towards the minimum health care hours for admission include administrative assistant, ACLS/CPR instructor, hospital chaplain, pharmaceutical/medical supply representative, medical scribe, receptionist or other clerical position, student intern, veterinarian, etc.

Applying with a Primary Care Preceptor

It is encouraged for you to apply with a primary care preceptor.  Over the last 5 years, 72% of the accepted class have applied with a preceptor.  Preference is given to applicants who apply with a sponsored clinical site or as a team with a licensed physician (MD or DO) and/or physician assistant who is willing to serve as the primary care preceptor to the student during the clinical portion of the program. The medical practice must be in family medicine (excluding urgent care and ER settings) with patients of all ages in an outpatient clinical setting. Preference is given to clinical sites in rural (<25,000 population) and/or underserved populations. 

All clinical sites and primary care preceptors must be reviewed, evaluated, and approved for educational suitability by the program.

Applicants applying without a primary care preceptor will be placed within a designated site to complete clinical rotations. The majority will be located in North Dakota and the surrounding area. Flexibility is expected as clinical sites may require adaptability and relocation at the expense of the student. 

Prerequisites:

Admission to the Physician Assistant Program within the School of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota is a competitive selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee progression in the application process.

All admission requirements must be completed by the September 1^st application deadline unless denoted below. No in-progress requirements will be considered.  Additional instruction on the application process can be found on the How to Apply tab on the website above.

Applications, clinical experience, transcripts, or previous coursework will not be reviewed until they are made available to us as a complete, verified application through CASPA. It is the applicant's responsibility to evaluate if coursework and experience meet the published standards. Also, it is the applicant's responsibility to contact CASPA directly to verify the receipt of all application materials by CASPA and the current status of their application.

Prerequisite Coursework Requirements:

• Grade of B or higher (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) unless denoted below,
• Completed at a regionally accredited institution within the United States (regional accreditation by MSA-CHE, NCA-HLC, NEASC-CIHE, NWCCU, SACS, ACCJC-WASC, WASC-SCUC),
• CLEP (College Level Examination Programs) or "test out" courses are not accepted,
• Upper-level university science coursework is preferred.  Upper-level coursework is non-introductory, typically with course numbers indicating at least junior or senior status,
• Preference is given to candidates whose core science coursework has been completed within 7 years of the application deadline. In addition, it is strongly encouraged that candidates update prerequisite science coursework older than 7 years.

Prerequisite Coursework:

• Human Anatomy (At least 3 semester credits). Lab preferred,
• Human Physiology (At least 3 semester credits). Lab preferred,
  • ​Note: If a combined course such as anatomy and physiology (i.e. A&P I and II) is taken, 2 courses of at least 3 semester credits each are required.
• Microbiology (At least 2 semester credits). Lab preferred,
• Statistics (At least 3 semester credits).  Preferably statistics for psychology, sociology, or biology,

Recommended Coursework for 2020 applicants (required for 2021 applicants):

• The following courses are recommended for the current application cycle (April 2020-September 2020), however, will be required for applicants starting April 2021.
• At least 6 semester credits of additional upper-level University science chosen from the following courses.  Taking these courses with their respective labs (if offered) is preferred.
  • Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry of Proteins and Information Flow
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Systems Biology
  • Physiology of Organs and Systems
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • Organic Chemistry I (*)
  • Organic Chemistry II (*)
  • Introduction to Immunology

* Courses denoted with an asterisk (*) a grade of C is acceptable

Other Recommended Coursework

• Medical Terminology
• Pharmacology
• Psychology

Additional coursework beyond the minimum academic preparation requirements will strengthen an application, especially if the courses are highly correlated with medicine such as immunology, pathophysiology, gerontology, medical ethics, health care policy, epidemiology, human nutrition, and additional courses in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and psychology.

Note: The University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program does not accept transfer students from other PA programs. Advanced placement and transfer of credits is not allowed.

Additional Requirements

1. Complete applications to CASPA and the UND School of Graduate Studies along with all supporting materials as explained on the How to Apply tab on the website above.
2. Complete a preceptor profile (if applying with a preceptor),
3. Complete a successful interview,
4. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog,
5. Comply with the Academic and Technical Standards (defined on the website above) for matriculation, promotion, and graduation,
6. Complete a health screening and a criminal background check prior to matriculation.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Physician Assistant Program.

1. Successful completion of all courses in the core curriculum,
2. Completion of a written scholarly project approved by the academic advisor,
3. Written comprehensive final examination.

Required Courses: