Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Why the physician assistant profession?
Practise explaining why the PA role fits your experiences and goals. Review whether you distinguish the profession clearly, use specific evidence, and connect your motivation to patient care; then record again with a sharper answer.
Quick facts
- Degree: Master of Physician Assistant Studies.
- Duration: 28 months.
- Location: Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Start: May 2027; Summer 2027 admission cycle.
- Interview: in person on campus.
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued.
Admission requirements
Applicants need an eligible U.S. bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 cumulative and science GPAs, 41 credits of C-or-better prerequisites, 500 direct patient-care hours before program start, three qualified references and required narratives. Foreign-institution transcripts are not accepted. Official requirements
Important dates
- Around April 30, 2026: applications opened.
- September 15, 2026: suggested submission date.
- November 1, 2026: CASPA, UAMS application, fees and verification due.
- September through December 2026: rolling in-person interviews.
- May 2027: enrollment for the Summer 2027 admission cycle.
How selection works
Holistic review considers academics, direct care, other experiences, personal attributes, narratives and interview performance. UAMS gives preference to Arkansas residents while encouraging qualified out-of-state applicants. Exact thresholds and weights are not public. Official application page
Interview details
Confirmed
The most qualified candidates are invited to an on-campus, in-person admission interview in Little Rock during the September-to-December window.
Not published
Exact dates, structure, count, duration, prompts, interviewer roles, file access, rubric, weights and decision timing are not public. Official application page
Who this program may suit
This program may suit applicants with direct patient-care experience who want a Little Rock MPAS and can show their preparation in an in-person holistic assessment. Official program page
Practice and next step
Record a first response explaining why the PA profession fits your goals. Review whether your patient-care evidence and Arkansas mission fit are concrete. Record a second response and compare.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the University of Arkansas main campus?
The PA program is at UAMS in Little Rock.
How much direct patient care is required?
Five hundred hours before program start.
Are interviews in person?
Yes, on campus in Little Rock.
When is the application deadline?
November 1, 2026 for Summer 2027 enrollment.
Sources
Source check: August 22, 2026. The application page explicitly identifies the Summer 2027 cycle and May enrollment, with in-person interviews from September through December. ARC-PA currently lists Accreditation-Continued; its next review is October 2026.
Recommended preparation
Physician Assistant Interview Essentials
Build a credible PA interview foundation through four focused spoken responses: profession-specific motivation, interprofessional teamwork, fair clinical decision-making, and reflective use of feedback.
Page history
- Published