Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Clinic appointment access and fairness
Practise making a fair decision when access is limited. Review whether you identify missing information, weigh both patients' needs, and explain the next step clearly; then record the scenario again with one improvement.
Quick facts
- Degree: Master of Health Sciences.
- Format: 24 months, full time.
- Location: 800 South Duke Street, Durham.
- Current cycle: August 2027 entry.
- Interview: Zoom, with two individual interviews and a group exercise.
- Interview cohort: about 250 invited; 90 selected.
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued.
Program overview · Current application guide
Admission requirements
Applicants need a regionally accredited bachelor's degree before the August start. Duke requires eight prerequisite courses completed within ten years with grades of B-minus or better; no more than two may be outstanding when applying, and all must be complete by December 31, 2026. Applicants need a GRE taken by August 15, at least 1,000 hours of direct hands-on patient care, three recommendations including one from a health-care professional, the CASPA supplemental questions, and the $70 processing fee. Foreign-degree holders must complete at least 30 additional U.S. semester hours before applying. Official admissions requirements
Important dates
- April 30, 2026: CASPA application opens.
- August 15, 2026: last date to take the GRE.
- September 1, 2026: application must be CASPA-verified.
- December 31, 2026: all prerequisite courses must be complete.
- March 1, 2027: interviewed candidates receive a decision no later than this date.
- August 2027: entering class begins.
How selection works
Duke reviews complete applications in receipt order. The program identifies approximately 250 highly qualified applicants for interview and selects 90 from that group. Published factors include academic potential, knowledge of health systems and the PA role, motivation, maturity, self-assurance, interpersonal skills, leadership, service, life experience, and alignment with Duke's mission. Interviewed candidates may receive a decision as early as ten days after interview. Official application process
Interview details
Confirmed
Duke conducts the interview day by Zoom. Candidates complete two individual interviews with faculty, PA alumni, or another Duke health professional, plus a group exercise with other applicants. Approximately 250 applicants are invited. Official interview description
Not published
Duke has not published the interview dates, total duration, question types, interviewer file access, group-exercise prompt, scoring rubric, or the quantitative weight of the interview in the final decision.
Who this program may suit
This program may suit applicants who want an intensive two-year curriculum, can document substantial direct patient care, and are comfortable demonstrating both individual communication and group collaboration on Zoom. Because Duke reviews complete files in receipt order, applicants who meet the requirements may benefit from finishing the verified application well before September 1. Official application process
Practice and next step
Record one response to the featured fair-access scenario as if speaking to an interviewer on Zoom. Review whether your answer is concise, balanced, and easy for another person to build on. Then answer it again with one deliberate adjustment. Use Structured Interview Essentials to add a teamwork response and compare your second attempt for clearer listening, role definition, and next-step communication—skills that matter in both Duke's individual interviews and group exercise.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Duke PA interview virtual?
Yes. Duke confirms that the current personal interview is conducted via Zoom. Official application process
How many interviews are included?
The interview day includes two individual interviews and one group exercise. Official application process
What is the CASPA deadline?
The application must be verified by September 1, 2026 for the class beginning August 2027. Official application timeline
Sources
Recommended preparation
Structured Interview Essentials
Build a repeatable spoken-answer loop across five common structured-interview skills: fair decisions, ethical reasoning, using feedback, teamwork under pressure, and explaining your motivation. Record each response once, choose the weakest one, review one observable weakness, and answer it again with one deliberate adjustment.
Page history
- Published