Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Become a leading health care professional in a rapidly growing field with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. Through a blend of rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences in our state-of-the-art facilities and supervised clinical practice experiences, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional patient care and empower the health of your future patients.
Backed by our exceptional faculty and proven curriculum, DMU’s PA graduates boast a 100% employment rate and a five-year average first-time pass rate of over 97% on the national certifying exam. Our PA program:
Since 1989, DMU has built its reputation as a premier medicine and health sciences university by producing expert practitioners and health care
professionals in a variety of areas.
PAs are in high demand across a variety of health care settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the national median annual salary for PAs is $130,020, and projects a 27% growth in available roles over the next 10 years.
DMU’s PA program equips you with the knowledge and skills to excel in various specialties, enabling you to tailor your career to your interests and passions. The program also readies you for lateral career mobility — giving you the opportunity to move from one specialty to another easily. Prepare for career opportunities like:
At DMU, we believe in providing you with the most advanced learning environment possible in our PA program. Our commitment to your success is reflected in our cutting-edge facilities, designed to simulate real-world health care settings and equip you with the practical skills you’ll need to excel as a PA. Master essential clinical procedures in our Rakowski Surgery Skills Lab and test your knowledge and skills with high-fidelity simulator manikins in the Simulation Center.
Year I Summer Term
Year I Fall Term
Year I Spring Term
Year II Summer Term
Year II Fall, Spring and Final Summer Terms
Selectives*
DMU’s reputation as a leading medicine and health sciences university extends to our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. We understand that adult learners have unique needs and preferences. That’s why our curriculum is specifically designed to foster engaged learning and deep understanding.
Here’s the DMU difference:
Our M.S.P.A.S. classes create a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where you’ll be surrounded by peers with similar experiences and goals, allowing for rich discussions and shared learning.
Our program offers supervised clinical practice experiences in various settings, including global health experiences in Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
We go beyond traditional lectures. Most DMU PA students possess more than 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience upon matriculation, ensuring they are well-prepared for a patient-centered career. Our curriculum encourages you to learn by doing with extensive opportunities for direct patient care throughout the program.
DMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Des Moines University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Des Moines University. 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. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2025. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
At DMU, we are committed to helping you achieve your career goals. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way.
The professors here really want us to succeed. They actually care about us. DMU has graduate health programs only, so it’s nice to be in a community of peers who share a central focus on going into health care. Central Iowa is a place where you can thrive as a student, too.
- Jefney Ongeri, M.S.P.A.S.’25
