Butler PA Program 2025: 7 Critical Facts You Must Know About The Nation's #14 Ranked MPAS
The Butler University Physician Assistant (PA) Program, formally known as the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), is one of the most prestigious and competitive PA schools in the United States, and its 2025 ranking confirms its elite status. As of the current date, December 24, 2025, the program is recognized for its rigorous 24-month curriculum, exceptional PANCE pass rates, and a unique approach to patient care experience requirements that sets it apart from many other top-tier programs. The program is the oldest PA school in the state of Indiana, offering a deeply rooted tradition of excellence in medical education.
Prospective students considering a career as a Physician Assistant must be aware of the highly specific, up-to-date admission statistics and program structure to successfully navigate the demanding application process. The following in-depth guide provides the seven most critical and current facts—including the latest ranking, tuition, and application deadlines for the upcoming cycle—to help you prepare your most competitive application.
1. Program Overview and Elite 2025 National Ranking
The Butler University PA Program, housed within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) in Indianapolis, Indiana, has consistently demonstrated academic excellence. The program culminates in a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree, preparing graduates to sit for the national certification exam.
Accreditation and PANCE Performance
The program holds Accreditation-Continued status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the highest level of accreditation a program can achieve. This status confirms the program meets all established standards for PA education.
- 5-Year First-Time Taker PANCE Pass Rate: 93%
- Class of 2024 First-Time Taker PANCE Pass Rate: 94%
- Class of 2025 Projected First-Time Taker PANCE Pass Rate: 95%
The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) pass rate is a key metric of a program's quality, and Butler's consistently high scores are a testament to the rigor of its curriculum and the quality of its faculty.
US News & World Report Ranking Update
In a significant update, the Butler PA Program has surged in national recognition. According to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the program is ranked 14th in the nation for Best Physician Assistant programs. This elite ranking places Butler among the top tier of all PA schools nationwide, reflecting its commitment to producing highly competent and practice-ready PAs.
2. Admission Requirements and the Competitive Edge
Admission to the Butler MPAS program is highly selective, with an estimated incoming class size of approximately 75 students. The program utilizes a two-pathway system for application: the Standard Pathway for all external applicants and the Selective Internal Admission Pathway for current Butler University students and alumni.
Minimum Academic Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a strong academic history, particularly in the prerequisite sciences.
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.2 or higher on all postsecondary coursework.
- Average Admitted Student Profile: While the most recent class average GPA is not publicly released, the general average undergraduate GPA for competitive applicants at Butler University is around 3.86, indicating the high caliber of successful candidates.
- GRE: The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is not required for admission to the program.
Unique Patient Care Experience Policy
One of the most distinguishing features of the Butler PA Program is its policy on clinical experience. Unlike many programs that require thousands of hours of direct patient care (DPC), Butler has no set number of required hours for Direct Patient Care Experience or Healthcare Experience. The program places a greater emphasis on the quality and depth of the experience, rather than a minimum quantity, allowing the admissions committee to holistically evaluate a candidate's exposure to the healthcare field.
3. Prerequisite Coursework for the Upcoming Cycle
Successful applicants must have completed a comprehensive list of science and non-science courses. All prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited institution and must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Required Science Prerequisites
The science prerequisites are foundational to the didactic phase of the program and must be completed prior to matriculation.
- One year of General Chemistry with labs (2 courses)
- One year of Organic Chemistry with lab (1 course)
- One year of Biology with labs
- Anatomy & Physiology with lab (at or above the 300 level)
- Microbiology
- Statistics
Required Non-Science Prerequisites
- Psychology
- Medical Terminology
4. Application Deadlines and Tuition Costs (2025-2026)
To apply for the Butler University PA Program, all candidates must submit their application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
Key Application Dates
The application cycle typically opens in late April/late May. The most critical date to remember for the upcoming cycle is the CASPA deadline.
- CASPA Application Deadline: July 15
- Deadline Requirement: The application must be marked as “complete” in CASPA by the July 15 deadline to be reviewed.
- Program Start Date: May (The 24-month program begins in the second week of May).
Tuition and Fees (2025-2026 Academic Year)
The program is a significant financial investment, and applicants should budget for the full two-year cost. The tuition is typically billed in a trimester format.
- Annual Tuition (2024-2025 & 2025-2026): $50,750 per year.
- Billing Structure Example (2025-2026): Summer ($10,150), Fall ($20,300), Spring ($20,300).
- Total Program Tuition: Approximately $101,500 for the entire 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).
5. The Rigorous 24-Month Curriculum Structure
The Butler PA curriculum is a fast-paced, 24-month program structured into two main phases: the Didactic Phase and the Clinical Phase, both utilizing a trimester format.
The Didactic Phase
The academic or didactic phase begins in the second week of May and is a three-semester series. This phase focuses on foundational medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical medicine. Students must satisfactorily complete all didactic work before proceeding to the clinical phase.
The Clinical Phase
The clinical phase consists of 53 credit hours and is structured around seven core specialty areas and one elective rotation. This phase provides hands-on, supervised clinical practice in diverse medical settings.
6. Detailed Core Clinical Rotations
The clinical year is designed to provide broad exposure to primary care and specialty medicine, ensuring graduates are well-rounded and ready for any practice setting. The seven core rotations are:
- Community Mental Health
- Emergency Medicine (Two rotations)
- Family Medicine (Two rotations)
- Surgery
- Internal Medicine (Two rotations)
- Pediatrics
- Women's Health
Rotations in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine each contain two separate rotations, emphasizing the program's focus on essential primary and acute care skills.
7. Topical Authority and Key Entities (LSI Keywords)
To fully understand the Butler PA Program and maximize your application's topical authority, you should be familiar with the following key entities, concepts, and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords:
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
- Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
- Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
- Indianapolis, Indiana (Program Location)
- Selective Internal Admission Pathway
- Didactic Phase
- Clinical Phase
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS)
- Family Medicine Rotation
- Internal Medicine Rotation
- Emergency Medicine Rotation
- Women's Health Rotation
- Community Mental Health Rotation
- Butler PA Program Ranking
- Pre-Physician Assistant Studies
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