FAQ

All health care disciplines are certainly valuable to the practice of medicine. The most successful candidates have clinical health care experiences which are rich in high-level, direct patient care and decision-making responsibilities. Clinical health care experiences which lack similar skills do not fully prepare students for successful completion of the accelerated program or the professional board exam. The job-title chart below is intended only as a general guide to help applicants understand which categories of health care experience are typically preferred, eligible, or not considered. It is not an all-inclusive list, nor is it designed to reflect every possible credential, role, or level of training. 

Yes, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of North Dakota. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.

Yes, we accept students from all over the United States. North Dakota residents are given highest preference, followed by those residing in bordering states (MN, MT, SD) and in the region (IA, NE, WI, WY). Additionally, preference is also given to applicants with prior clinical health care experience with rural populations and residence in rural geographic areas.

No, we do not use rolling admissions. Following the deadline, the UND Department of Physician Assistant Studies will evaluate verified CASPA applications and contact the most qualified applicants within 3-6 weeks to offer an interview.

No, we do not evaluate coursework or transcripts until after an application has been received and has been verified by CASPA. It is the applicant’s responsibility to evaluate coursework to see if it meets the published standards. If you need help clarifying a standard, please contact our department, but please be aware that we cannot recommend or endorse specific courses.

Upper level university science coursework is preferred. Upper level coursework is non-introductory, typically with course numbers indicating at least junior or senior status. Please make sure your courses are from a regionally-accredited institution within the U.S. (HLC, MSCHE, NECHE, NWCCU, SACSCOC, WSCUC), meet the minimum semester credit requirements, and receive a grade of B or higher (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale). Admission to the program is highly competitive. Therefore, students whose transcripts demonstrate proven academic success in upper level university coursework are preferred.

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Consideration is given to applicants with a GPA below, 3.0, provided more recent transcripts show significant improvement in the last 60 hours of coursework.  Improvement may be demonstrated by earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the most recent 60 semester credits with a consistent upward or stable academic trend and no sustained subsequent decline in academic performance.  Applicants with a cumulative GPA <2.75 may be admitted to provisional status through the Graduate School.

Prerequisite coursework must be completed, posted on official transcripts, and included with your application materials before the application deadline in order to be considered for admission into the program. If you have courses in progress after the application deadline, please delay your application until the next cycle after your coursework is complete.

Prerequisite coursework does not have an expiration date. However, the most competitive candidates are those who demonstrate more recent success in completing challenging coursework. Preference is given to applicants who have completed upper level university science prerequisite courses within the past 7 years. The most competitive applicants are those who demonstrate recent proficiency in progressively rigorous prerequisite core science coursework.

Yes. Prerequisite courses may be completed online or at a community or technical college, provided they are taken through a regionally accredited institution within the United States (HLC, MSCHE, NECHE, NWCCU, SACSCOC, or WSCUC). All coursework must meet the stated prerequisite requirements.

We recognize the value and accessibility of online and community or technical college coursework. However, because the admissions process is highly competitive, applicants are encouraged to pursue upper-level prerequisite and science courses—particularly those with laboratory components—at a four-year university. Historical data shows that applicants who have been offered admission have often completed their prerequisite coursework at institutions that provide a broader range of advanced science offerings, which can strengthen preparation for the academic rigor of the program.

Please note that meeting the minimum prerequisite requirements does not guarantee progression in the application process. Applicants from a wide range of academic pathways are successful in our program, and we encourage you to pursue the educational route that best supports your learning and academic readiness.

Your courses do not transfer into UND. You qualify to apply to the UND PA Program with requirements that meet the published standards. If your courses don’t exactly match a UND course, but they meet the requirements posted, then the course should be found sufficient.

Applicants must have achieved at least a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution within the U.S. by December 31 of the year you apply. Once you have graduated, an official transcript showing the conferral of the degree must be sent and postmarked by February 1 to the UND School of Graduate Studies. Do not send transcripts directly to the UND PA Program. For questions regarding where to send your transcripts, contact the UND School of Graduate Studies.

No. A bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution within the U.S. is required for all applicants. All prerequisites must meet the same requirements. Degrees or coursework obtained outside of the United States would not be sufficient regardless of equivalency or outside evaluations.

No, you are not required to relocate to North Dakota; however, there is a total of 15 weeks of required on-campus, in-person instruction during the 24-month program.

While our staff does their best to accommodate a student's preference, there is no guarantee that it will be possible. Clinical rotations may occur in any geographical area that the program deems fit to meet program requirements and national accreditation standards which are of utmost priority. Students should expect to travel outside of their home area and temporarily relocate to complete clinical rotations. Costs related to travel and relocation will be the responsibility of the student.

Yes, detailed information regarding the UND Department of Physician Assistant Studies Technical Standards can be found HERE