University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
1201 West University Dr.
Edinburg, Texas 78539

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Program Website

*Last updated January 21st, 2026

General Information

Mission Statement: The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant (DPA) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is to provide an innovative advanced medical education to physician assistant students who will transform health care delivery to the multicultural population of South Texas and beyond. The DPA promotes the importance of lifelong learning and self-evaluation in its students.

Unique Program Features: We provide student clinical education opportunities in diverse settings and medically underserved areas/populations. Human cadavers and computer-assisted learning modules are utilized in the laboratory setting. Clinical correlations support concurrent modular coursework involving the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

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

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

Type of Masters Degree: MPAS: Master of 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: 28 Months

Start Month: August 2027

Estimated Incoming Class Size: 75

Part-time Option: No

Distance Learning: No

On-Campus Housing: No

Required Onsite Interview: No

Types of Interviews: Traditional Interview; Panel Interview

Admission Type: Rolling - Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis

Deadlines, Fees, & Eligibility

Application Deadline: 09/01/2026

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: Yes

International Applicants Accepted: Yes

International Application Link

Support for Veterans: Veteran scholarships: Scholarship or financial assistance like reduced or in-state tuition offered).;Clinical partnerships: Partnerships with veteran organizations for rotations.;Special admission consideration: Processes that recognize military veterans.;Veteran faculty: Faculty members who have veteran status.

Separate Tuition Rates: Yes

Tuition: No information provided

Resident Tuition: $42,494

Non-Resident Tuition: $83,001

Seat Deposit: Yes

Seat Deposit Cost: $1,000

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

Minimum Number of Reference Letters Required: 3

Types of References Required: No restrictions

Standardized Test(s) Required: None

Minimum Overall GPA Required: 3.00

Minimum Prereq GPA Required: 3.00

Minimum Science GPA Required: N/A

Experience

Healthcare Experience: Recommended, but not required

Paid Health Care: Recommended but not required

Volunteer/Community Service Health Care: Recommended but not required

Hours Needed: No information provided

Time Limit in Which To Complete Experience: No Requirement

Paid Direct Patient Care: Recommended but not required

Volunteer Direct Patient Care: Recommended but not required

Direct Patient Care Hours Needed: No information provided

Direct Patient Care Time Limit: No Requirement

Other Paid Health Care: Recommended but not required

Other Volunteer Health Care: No information provided

Shadowing a PA: Recommended but not required

Shadowing a Physician: Recommended but not required

Shadowing other health care provider: Recommended but not required

Clinical and/or non-clinical research: Recommended but not required

Virtual Health Care Accepted: Yes

Virtual Shadowing Accepted: Yes

Prerequisites

Human Anatomy: 3 Credit(s)

Biology (general): 6 Credit(s)

Microbiology: 3 Credit(s)

Chemistry (general): 6 Credit(s)

Organic Chemistry: 3 Credit(s)

Human Physiology: 3 Credit(s)

Genetics: 3 Credit(s)

Statistics: 3 Credit(s)

Psychology: 3 Credit(s)

Prereq requirements: Either/or option is allowable for biochemistry/organic chemistry.

Prereq time limit: No Requirement

Outstanding pre-requisites must be completed in the following time frame: No information provided

Maximum number of outstanding prerequisites allowed: No information provided

Matriculants

Matriculant GPAs

Matriculant Overall GPA: 3.7

Matriculant Science GPA: 3.7

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: 48

Male: 11

Non-Binary: -

Gender Unknown: -

Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number

American Indian or Alaskan Native: -

Asian: 10

Black or African American: 2

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish: 40

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: -

White: 5

Multiracial: -

Other: 4