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Des Moines University

(515) 271-1603

Des Moines University
8025 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

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Program Website

*Last updated January 27th, 2026

General Information

Mission Statement
To develop highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who are committed to patient-centered care.
Unique Program Features
26-month program housed at a university that only offers graduate programs in the health sciences. Unique community of students all committed to health care. New, state-of-the-art campus provides advanced simulation and hands-on learning.
Curriculum Focus
Case-Based Learning; Collaborative or Team-Based Learning
Credentials Offered
Master's degree (not Master's of Public Health)
Type of Masters Degree
MSPAS: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Undergrad to Masters Bridge or Dual Degree
No
Doctorate Degree Offered
No
Masters to Doctorate Bridge or Dual Degree
No
Program Length
26 Months
Start Month
June 2027
Estimated Incoming Class Size
65
Part-time Option
No
Distance Learning
No
On-Campus Housing
No
Required Onsite Interview
Yes
Types of Interviews
Traditional Interview
Admission Type
Rolling - Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis

Deadlines, Fees, & Eligibility

Application Deadline
03/01/2027
Deadline Requirement
Green-Verified: the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters must be received by CASPA by the posted deadline, and the application has a verified status, meaning all GPAs have been calculated by CASPA.
Out of State Students Accepted
Yes
Transfer Students Accepted
No
DACA Status Applicants Considered
No
International Applicants Accepted
No
Support for Veterans
No information provided
Separate Tuition Rates
No
Tuition
$111,000
Seat Deposit
Yes
Seat Deposit Cost
$500
Refundable Seat Deposit
No
Supplemental Application
No
Supplemental Deadline
No information provided
Supplemental Application Fee
No information provided
Supplemental Application Fee Waiver
No information provided

Requirements

Special Considerations
The interview process consists of a competency-based interview that includes an asynchronous assessment, as well as a synchronous virtual group experience or in-person experience.
Minimum Number of Reference Letters Required
2
Types of References Required
No restrictions
Standardized Test(s) Required
None
Minimum Overall GPA Required
2.80
Minimum Prereq GPA Required
N/A
Minimum Science GPA Required
N/A

Experience

Healthcare Experience
Yes, required
Paid Health Care
Not Required
Volunteer/Community Service Health Care
Not Required
Hours Needed
750
Time Limit in Which To Complete Experience
No Requirement
Paid Direct Patient Care
Required
Volunteer Direct Patient Care
Required
Direct Patient Care Hours Needed
750
Direct Patient Care Time Limit
No Requirement

 

Other Paid Health Care
Not Required
Other Volunteer Health Care
No information provided
Shadowing a PA
Required
Shadowing a Physician
Not Required
Shadowing other health care provider
Not Required
Clinical and/or non-clinical research
Not Required
Virtual Health Care Accepted
No
Virtual Shadowing Accepted
Yes

Prerequisites

Human Anatomy
4 Credit(s), Lab Required
Biochemistry
3 Credit(s), Lab Required
Microbiology
4 Credit(s), Lab Required
Chemistry (general)
4 Credit(s), Lab Required
Organic Chemistry
4 Credit(s), Lab Required
Human Physiology
4 Credit(s), Lab Required
Genetics
4 Credit(s), Lab Required
Medical Terminology
3 Credit(s)
Statistics
3 Credit(s)
Psychology
6 Credit(s)
Prereq requirements
All prerequisite coursework must be taken for graded credit at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. No grade lower than C will be accepted for prerequisite coursework. AP credits, CLEP credits, and P/F credits are not considered.
Prereq time limit
No Requirement
Outstanding pre-requisites must be completed in the following time frame
Two weeks prior to matriculation
Maximum number of outstanding prerequisites allowed
No information provided

Matriculants

Matriculant GPAs

Matriculant Overall GPA
3.79
Matriculant Science GPA
3.71

GRE Average Scores

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Score
No information provided
Average Analytical Writing GRE Score
No information provided
Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Score
No information provided

GRE Average Percentiles

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Percentile
No information provided
Average Analytical Writing GRE Percentile
No information provided
Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Percentile
No information provided

Program Matriculants by Gender

Female
56
Male
9
Non-Binary
-
Gender Unknown
-

Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number

American Indian or Alaskan Native
-
Asian
3
Black or African American
-
Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish
2
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
-
White
57
Multiracial
-
Other
2