University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street Center for Health Education \r\n
Vermillion, South Dakota 57069

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Program Website

*Last updated February 20th, 2025

General Information

Mission Statement: The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program provides a comprehensive primary care education that prepares graduates to deliver high-quality health care to meet the needs of patients in South Dakota and the surrounding region.

Unique Program Features: The University of South Dakota offers small class size with interdisciplinary coursework. The program offers an Anatomy course to include a full dissection cadaver lab. The program is housed in a new 45,000 square foot Health Sciences building.

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

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

Bridge or Dual Degree: No

Doctorate Degree Offered: No

Type of Masters Degree: MSPAS: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, MSPAS: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Program Length: 24 Months

Start Month: July 2026

Estimated Incoming Class Size: 25

Part-time Option: No

Distance Learning: No

On-Campus Housing: Yes

Required Onsite Interview: Yes

Types of Interviews: Traditional Interview; Panel Interview

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

CASPA & Deadlines

CASPA Member: Yes

Upcoming CASPA Cycle: Yes

Application Deadline: 09/01/2025

Deadline Requirement: Blue-Submit only: the applicant must only submit the application by your posted deadline.

Supplemental Application: Yes

Supplemental Deadline: 09/01/2025

Supplemental Application Fee: No information provided

Supplemental Application Fee Waiver: No

View Supplemental Application

Tuition & Deposits

Separate Tuition Rates: Yes

Tuition: No information provided

Resident Tuition: $44,220

Non-Resident Tuition: $88,150

Seat Deposit: Yes

Seat Deposit Cost: $400

Refundable Seat Deposit: No

Matriculants

Out of State Students Accepted: Yes

Transfer Students Accepted: No

DACA Status Applicants Considered: No

International Applicants Accepted: No

International Application Link

Support for Veterans: Clinical partnerships: Partnerships with veteran organizations for rotations.;Special admission consideration: Processes that recognize military veterans.

Program Matriculants by Gender

Female: 20

Male: 5

Non-Binary: -

Gender Unknown: -

Ethnicity of Program Matriculants by Number

American Indian or Alaskan Native: -

Asian: 1

Black or African American: -

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish: 1

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: -

White: 23

Other: -

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

Requirements

Minimum Number of Reference Letters Required: 3

Types of References Required: No restrictions

Minimum Overall GPA Required: 3.00

Minimum Prereq GPA Required: No GPA minimum required

Minimum Science GPA Required: No

Standardized Test(s) Required: None

Healthcare Experience: Yes, required

Hours Needed: No information provided

Time Limit in Which To Complete Experience: No Requirement

Paid Health Care: Recommended but not required

Volunteer/Community Service Health Care: Recommended but not required

Paid Direct Patient Care: Recommended but not 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: 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: No

Virtual Shadowing Accepted: No

Prerequisites

Prereq time limit: No Requirement

Human Anatomy: 4 Credit(s), Lab Required

Biology (general): 8 Credit(s)

Biochemistry: 3 Credit(s)

Microbiology: 4 Credit(s), Lab Required

Chemistry (general): 8 Credit(s), Lab Required

Human Physiology: 4 Credit(s), Lab Required

Statistics: 2 Credit(s)

Psychology: 6 Credit(s)