Des Moines University PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• GPA-competitive: The average accepted overall GPA here (3.8) sits in the top quarter of PA programs nationally. If your GPA is below about 3.66, you will want the rest of your application, hours, letters, upward trend, to do real work.

• The minimum is not the target: The stated minimum GPA is 2.8, but the average accepted is 3.8, a gap of 1.00. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Strong PANCE outcomes: A first-time PANCE pass rate of 98% is above the national average.

• Apply early: Admissions are rolling, so seats come off the board as the cycle goes. An application submitted in the first few weeks is worth more than the same application submitted in month four.

• Recency matters: Prerequisites expire after 5 years for chemistry and biology. Older science coursework may need to be retaken.

Des Moines University is located in Iowa. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: Iowa

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 26 months

• Class size: 65 students

• Start month: June

• Application deadline: December

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $101,396

• Average overall GPA: 3.8

• Average science GPA: 3.7

• Minimum overall GPA: 2.8

• Minimum science GPA: 2.8

• Minimum PCE hours: 750 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 98%

• Accreditation status: Continued

Admission requirements

• GRE: Optional

• Shadowing: Yes

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• Patient care experience: 750 hours minimum

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: C

• Prerequisite expiration: 5 years for chemistry and biology

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: Yes

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: No

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: No

Required coursework

• Biology, 16 Semester Hours (human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and genetics)

• Chemistry, 15 Semester Hours (inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry)

• Psychology, 6 Semester Hours (including abnormal psychology)

• Statistics or Biostatistics, 1 Course

• Medical Terminology, 1 Course

Cost

• In-state tuition: $101,396

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• Program website: Des Moines University

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 515-271-1400

• Address: 8025 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

Program information last verified June 15, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.