University of Detroit Mercy PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Middle-of-the-pack GPA — The average accepted overall GPA (3.71) is close to the national middle, so a solid-but-not-spectacular academic record is genuinely competitive here.

• The minimum is not the target — The stated minimum GPA is 3, but the average accepted is 3.71 — a gap of 0.71. Meeting the floor gets you screened in, not admitted.

• Experience-heavy — A 1,000-hour patient care minimum is at or above the national 75th percentile. Plan on a year or more of full-time work before you apply.

• Faster to practice — At 24 months, this program is shorter than most. That means less tuition and earlier income, but a denser schedule with little slack.

• Heavier testing load — This program requires GRE and CASPer. Budget the extra prep time and exam fees before your deadline.

• 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.

• Accreditation status: Probation — ARC-PA currently lists this program as Accreditation-Probation. Programs do come off probation, and students generally remain eligible to sit for the PANCE, but you should read the ARC-PA action report and ask the program directly before depositing.

• Stricter prerequisite grades — A minimum of B- in prerequisites is tougher than the typical C. Recheck your transcript before you invest in the application.

• Recency matters — Prerequisites expire after 6 years. Older science coursework may need to be retaken.

University of Detroit Mercy is located in Michigan. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: Michigan

• Institution type: Private

• Program length: 24 months

• Class size: 60 students

• Start month: August

• Application deadline: January

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $112,818

• Average overall GPA: 3.71

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 1,000 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 2

• First-time PANCE pass rate: 95%

• Accreditation status: Probation

Admission requirements

• GRE: Yes (minimum 900 on old scale; 291 on new scale)

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: Yes

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: Yes

• Shadowing: No

• Letters of recommendation: 2 — Professional recommendations from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's work, not someone "shadowed", and if possible (but not required), at least one from a practicing physician assistant or a physician familiar with the role and responsibilities of the physician assistant

• Patient care experience: 1,000 hours minimum

• Interview format: unsure

Prerequisites

• Minimum prerequisite grade: B-

• Prerequisite expiration: 6 years

• In-progress prerequisites accepted: No

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: No

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• NUTRITION: Course work which concentrates on physiologic requirements for human growth and development. Role of nutrition in health and disease. General concepts of diet as a therapy.

• MEDICAL ETHICS: An exploration of moral issues specific to health care delivery and medical research. This course will have examined issues such as euthanasia, abortion, human experimentation, assisted suicide and bias in access to health care.

• STATISTICS: Statistical methods and their applications to human science research. Includes probability models, descriptive, correlational and basic inferential statistics. Students should be familiar with use of statistical software packages for the analysis of both descriptive and inferential statistics.

• ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY: Course explaining the functional organization of all organ systems of the body, its metabolism, and the application of physiologic principles to living organisms. Focus on human/medical physiology only, combination physiology and anatomy courses are not acceptable, pathophysiology is not acceptable. Usually a 300 level course or greater.

• MICROBIOLOGY WITH LAB: A survey of microorganisms with emphasis on bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens, must include laboratory techniques.

• DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: A life span perspective on developmental and maturational tasks from birth to death. The Committee may consider a series of courses to meet this requirement provided it minimally includes: Child Psychology; Adolescence and Psychology of Aging.

Cost

• In-state tuition: $112,818

• Seat deposit: $1,000

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• Program website: University of Detroit Mercy

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 313-993-2474

• Address: College of Health Professions, 115, McNichols Campus, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, Michigan 48221-3038

Program information last verified July 1, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.