Missouri State University (formerly SWMS)

Missouri State University (formerly SWMS)
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, Missouri 65897

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Program Website

*Last updated January 28th, 2026

General Information

Mission Statement: Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan system with a statewide mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons. The University's identity is distinguished by its public affairs mission, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster expertise and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. In accordance with this, the Missouri State University Physician Assistant Program seeks to prepare highly competent physician assistant graduates to practice primary care medicine in the context of team delivered care in a rapidly evolving health care arena.

Unique Program Features: Students learn in a modern facility which includes a cadaver lab, simulation center, and PA designated spaces including a procedure skill lab, classroom, student lounge, and an on-site clinic that serves uninsured low-income adult patients.

Curriculum Focus: Case-Based Learning; Collaborative or Team-Based Learning; Early Clinical Exposure; Organ-Based/Systems-Based Learning; Problem-Based Learning

Credentials Offered: Master's degree (not Master's of Public Health)

Type of Masters Degree: MS: Master of Science

Undergrad to Masters Bridge or Dual Degree: No

Doctorate Degree Offered: No

Masters to Doctorate Bridge or Dual Degree: No

Program Length: 24 Months

Start Month: January 2027

Estimated Incoming Class Size: 34

Part-time Option: No

Distance Learning: No

On-Campus Housing: No

Required Onsite Interview: Yes

Types of Interviews: Panel Interview

Admission Type: Regular - All applications are reviewed once the set deadline has passed

Deadlines, Fees, & Eligibility

Application Deadline: 07/15/2026

Deadline Requirement: Orange-Complete only: the application has been submitted, payment, all transcripts, and at least two evaluation letters must be received by CASPA by the posted deadline.

Out of State Students Accepted: Yes

Transfer Students Accepted: No

DACA Status Applicants Considered: No

International Applicants Accepted: No

Support for Veterans: Veteran scholarships: Scholarship or financial assistance like reduced or in-state tuition offered).;Special admission consideration: Processes that recognize military veterans.;Yellow Ribbon program: Institutional participation in the a university-funded scholarship program for veterans.;Yellow Ribbon Schools program

Separate Tuition Rates: Yes

Tuition: No information provided

Resident Tuition: $37,758

Non-Resident Tuition: $71,862

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: Overall/science/last 60 hours GPA, PA-CAT/GRE/MCAT, paid patient care experience, advanced anatomy and physiology courses, life science courses, volunteer, leadership, military experience, diverse life experiences, program mission, holistic review

Minimum Number of Reference Letters Required: 3

Types of References Required: No restrictions

Standardized Test(s) Required: PA-CAT; Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) - will accept MCAT, PA-CAT (recommended)

Minimum Overall GPA Required: 3.00

Minimum Prereq GPA Required: 2.00

Minimum Science GPA Required: N/A

Experience

Healthcare Experience: Yes, required

Paid Health Care: Recommended but not required

Volunteer/Community Service Health Care: Recommended but not required

Hours Needed: 500

Time Limit in Which To Complete Experience: No Requirement

Paid Direct Patient Care: Required

Volunteer Direct Patient Care: Recommended but not required

Direct Patient Care Hours Needed: 500

Direct Patient Care Time Limit: No Requirement

Other Paid Health Care: No information provided

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: Yes

Virtual Shadowing Accepted: Yes

Prerequisites

Human Anatomy: 4 Credit(s), Lab Required

Microbiology: 3 Credit(s)

Chemistry (general): 9 Credit(s), Lab Required

Organic Chemistry: 3 Credit(s)

Human Physiology: 4 Credit(s), Lab Required

Genetics: 3 Credit(s)

Statistics: 3 Credit(s)

Psychology: 3 Credit(s)

Social Science: 3 Credit(s)

Prereq time limit: 5 Years

Outstanding pre-requisites must be completed in the following time frame: All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the summer semester before the program begins.

Maximum number of outstanding prerequisites allowed: No information provided

Matriculants

Matriculant GPAs

Matriculant Overall GPA: 3.7

Matriculant Science GPA: 3.6

GRE Average Scores

Average Verbal Reasoning GRE Score: 151

Average Analytical Writing GRE Score: No information provided

Average Quantitative Reasoning GRE Score: 151

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: 24

Male: 9

Non-Binary: -

Gender Unknown: -

Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number

American Indian or Alaskan Native: -

Asian: 3

Black or African American: 1

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish: 3

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: -

White: 27

Multiracial: 1

Other: -