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
- Degrees: UNMC Bachelor of Science after Phase I and Master of Physician Assistant Studies after Phase II.
- Duration: 29 months across didactic and clinical phases.
- Eligibility: military service members only; no civilian route.
- FY2026 starts: January, April and August 2027.
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Probation; next review October 2027.
Official Army application page
Admission requirements
There is no civilian route. Army applicants must meet component status, military fitness, security, command and service rules; complete 60 transferable hours with 2.5 cumulative and 3.0 science GPAs; submit SAT and PA-CAT; document 80 PA-shadowing hours; and provide command, supervisor and PA evaluations. Official program
Important dates
- October 1, 2025-March 1, 2026: FY2026 Army packet window.
- June 2026: selection board.
- November 29, 2026: January class report date.
- January, April and August 2027: class starts.
How selection works
Applicants use an Army packet plus UNMC UNICAS rather than CASPA. Command, supervisor and PA evaluations feed a component selection board; other services use their own processes. Official program
Interview details
Confirmed
The immediate supervisor, commander and a recommending PA interview and evaluate the applicant using service forms.
Not published
A separate centralized candidate interview, board questions, scoring weights and remote or in-person board mechanics are not public. Official program
Who this program may suit
IPAP is only for eligible service members who can meet branch-specific requirements and accept the resulting military service obligation. Official program
Practice and next step
Record a first response explaining why the PA profession fits your goals. Review whether your example is specific and evidence-based. Record it again and compare.
Frequently asked questions
Can civilians apply?
No. IPAP is military-only.
Does it use CASPA?
No. Army applicants use the service packet and UNMC UNICAS.
Accreditation?
ARC-PA Probation.
Sources
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