7 Essential Facts About The Drury University Physician Assistant Program (MS-PAS) You Must Know For The 2025-2026 Cycle
Are you considering a career as a Physician Assistant (PA) and looking at top-tier programs? The Drury University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) program, located in Springfield, Missouri, has quickly become a highly competitive option for prospective students. As of the current date in late 2025, the program is actively accepting applications and is notable for its innovative curriculum and significant enrollment growth, solidifying its place in the healthcare education landscape.
This article provides the most up-to-date and crucial information for the 2025-2026 application cycle, detailing everything from its official accreditation status to the specific academic and experiential prerequisites you need to get accepted. Understanding these core facts is the first step toward securing your spot in this demanding and rewarding 27-month program.
Drury University MS-PAS Program: Overview, Structure, and Accreditation Status
The Drury University PA Program is a rigorous graduate-level course of study culminating in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) degree. The program’s mission is focused on educating future physician assistants to become innovative leaders in medicine, ready to serve diverse patient populations.
Program Profile at a Glance:
- Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS)
- Location: Springfield, Missouri
- Program Length: 27 Months
- Start Month: August
- Maximum Class Size: 40 students
- Application Service: CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants)
A critical detail for all applicants is the program's accreditation status. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted the Drury University Physician Assistant Program Accreditation-Provisional status. This status was achieved in April 2023.
What Does "Accreditation-Provisional" Mean?
Accreditation-Provisional is a temporary status granted to new PA programs that have demonstrated the resources and initial compliance with ARC-PA standards. It allows the program to enroll students and is reviewed periodically. Students who graduate from a provisionally accredited program are eligible to take the national certification exam (PANCE). The program must achieve Accreditation-Continued status before the provisional period ends. The ARC-PA accepted a report from Drury in September 2023 addressing specific standards, showing the program is actively working toward full compliance.
Admission Requirements and Application Process for the 2025-2026 Cycle
The application cycle for the Drury PA program is competitive, with a maximum capacity of 40 students per cohort. The program uses the CASPA application system. For the 2025–2026 cycle, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the official program website for the most precise details on prerequisites and deadlines.
Key Admission Requirements Summary:
- Bachelor's Degree: Must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
- Minimum GPA: A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required.
- Prerequisite GPA: While a specific minimum prerequisite GPA is not always published, a strong performance in all science and medical-related coursework is essential for a competitive application.
- Letters of Recommendation: A minimum of three (3) reference letters are required.
- Supplemental Application: Drury University typically does not require a supplemental application, though this should be verified on the official website.
The program emphasizes a holistic review process, meaning that while the minimum GPA is 3.0, successful applicants often have higher academic metrics, significant patient care experience, and compelling personal statements. The program starts its new class in August.
Curriculum Structure, Program Cost, and Financial Aid Insights
The 27-month MS-PAS curriculum is divided into two distinct phases: the Didactic Phase and the Clinical Phase. This structure is designed to provide a strong foundation in medical knowledge before students transition to hands-on patient care.
1. The Didactic Phase (14 Months):
This initial phase involves intensive classroom instruction, primarily using traditional lectures across all organ systems. The curriculum is innovative, totaling 115 graduate credits, and covers core medical sciences, pharmacology, clinical medicine, and professional practice.
2. The Clinical Phase (13 Months):
Following the didactic year, students transition into clinical rotations, gaining real-world experience in various medical specialties. This phase is crucial for applying theoretical knowledge and developing clinical decision-making skills under the supervision of experienced healthcare providers. The university maintains resources for students regarding clinical placements.
Program Cost and Value
Understanding the financial commitment is a major part of the application process. For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition and fees for the PA program are detailed in the College of Graduate Studies Catalog. While exact figures fluctuate annually, the program is recognized for its relative value.
For the Class of 2025 (those who started in Fall 2023), the estimated costs for required books and e-resources were listed. Overall, the estimated total cost of attendance for residents, including tuition, fees, and the cost of living, is often reported to be less than $139,000. This places the Drury PA program on the lower end of the cost spectrum compared to many other PA programs nationally, making it a "Good Value" option for many prospective students.
Prospective students should consult the university's financial aid and program costs pages for the most current figures for the 2025-2026 application cycle.
Future Outlook and Why Drury's PA Program is Gaining Momentum
The Drury PA program is experiencing significant positive momentum. In September 2025, the university reported continued substantial growth in the Physician's Assistant program enrollment. This growth indicates strong interest and confidence in the program's structure and educational quality, even with its provisional accreditation status.
The program's location in Springfield, Missouri, a central hub for healthcare in the Ozarks, provides ample opportunities for clinical rotations and future employment. Furthermore, the commitment to meeting ARC-PA standards, evidenced by their September 2023 report submission, suggests a dedication to achieving full accreditation in the near future.
For high-achieving pre-PA students seeking a program with a relatively smaller class size (40 students), a modern curriculum, and a commitment to value, the Drury University MS-PAS program represents an excellent and increasingly competitive choice for the upcoming application cycles.
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