Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.)

Program Overview

Physician assistants have the training, flexibility and agility to respond immediately to the demands placed on the U.S. health care system. The 24-month master’s program promotes and supports excellence and professionalism, fosters an evidence-based approach to patient care, advances interest in primary care to rural and under-served populations and supports the ideal of a competent, caring and compassionate physician assistant. Our PA program has been nationally accredited by ARC-PA since 1995 and awarded accreditation-continued status. Learn more at usd.edu/pa.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies Plan B (non-thesis): Total 104 credit hours

Typical Class Schedule

The graduation requirements for Physician Assistant are subject to change. Please contact the Physician Assistant Studies Department for verification of current requirements and timeframe for completing the program.

General Application Requirements

1. Completed application
2. $35 application fee
3. Official transcripts*
4. Letters of recommendation*
5. Statement of purpose
6. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the  “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Physician Assistant Studies
Phone:605-658-5926 | pa@usd.edu | usd.edu/pa

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad