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 Physician Assistant Studies.
- Format: 28 months and 128 semester hours in Iowa City.
- Cohort: one class of 25 begins each August.
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued.
- Current cycle: August 2027 entry through CASPA.
- Interview: in person in Iowa City with an MMI session.
Program overview · Current selection process
Admission requirements
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution and must be a U.S. citizen, documented permanent resident, or have asylum status when applying. Iowa requires at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 3.40 science GPA, met either cumulatively or across the most recent 40 semester hours of biological and chemical science coursework. Required biological, chemical, and statistics courses must be complete by September 1, 2026. Applicants also need at least 1,000 hours of direct patient health-care experience and three recommendations, including an academic reference and a direct patient-care supervisor, by October 1. TOEFL rules apply to qualifying non-native English speakers. Official requirements
Important dates
- September 1, 2026: prerequisite courses and required GPAs must be complete with final grades available.
- October 1, 2026: completed and verified CASPA application, health-care hours, recommendations, and applicable TOEFL scores are due.
- July 10-11, August 14-15, September 25-26, November 6-7, and December 11-12, 2026: published interview sessions.
- February 1, 2027: all applicants receive an admission decision no later than this date.
- August 2027: entering cohort begins.
Official requirements · Interview dates
How selection works
Iowa first reviews the verified CASPA file. Interview invitations consider science achievement, the type and extent of health-related experience, the three recommendations, and the personal narrative. During interview day, the program assesses academic potential, knowledge of the PA role, maturity, self-assurance, communication, and motivation. Offers are rolling and have traditionally been issued within two weeks of an interview; remaining candidates are reviewed after the final session for offers or the alternate list. Official selection process
Interview details
Confirmed
Interview days are in person in Iowa City. The published process includes a pre-interview orientation, student and alumni panels, a Carver College of Medicine tour, an MMI session, and a candidate debrief. Iowa lists five two-day sessions between July and December 2026. Official interview process
Not published
The program has not published the number or length of MMI stations, preparation time, prompts, interviewer file access, station rubric, or the quantitative weight of application and interview scores.
Who this program may suit
This program may suit applicants who want a small cohort, a defined August start, and an admissions process that values strong science preparation and substantial direct patient-care experience. The current science-GPA and 1,000-hour requirements are firm screening constraints, so compare your verified CASPA calculations and documented hours with the official rules before applying. Official requirements
Practice and next step
Start with the featured fair-access scenario. Record one complete response in six minutes, then review whether you identified missing information, balanced competing needs, and explained a respectful process. Choose one weakness, make one deliberate adjustment, and answer the same scenario again. Continue through Structured Interview Essentials to compare how consistently you communicate judgment, teamwork, feedback, and motivation across a second attempt.
Frequently asked questions
Does Iowa use an MMI?
Yes. The current interview page confirms an MMI session within an in-person Iowa City interview day. Official selection process
What is the CASPA deadline?
The completed application and required materials are due October 1, 2026, while prerequisite courses and required GPAs must be complete by September 1. Official requirements
How much patient-care experience is required?
Iowa requires at least 1,000 hours of direct patient health-care experience by the October 1 deadline. Official requirements
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