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Address & Contact

Our Address

2200 Dendrinos Drive, Suite 15 Traverse City, Michigan 49684

GPS

44.7413167, -85.6196202

Telephone

231-995-1785

Email

[email protected]

Web

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PROGRAM PROFILE

Grand Valley State University-Traverse City Physician Assistant Program

Traverse City, Michigan · Masters

Continued accreditation ↗On Campus ↗28 months ↗
Save schoolCheck my fitSee where you're competitive — Match AIProgram website
Application deadline Sep 1, 2027Must be received by this date
Tuition $100,580 (estimate)Same for residents and nonresidents
Tuition + fees $106,080
Class of 2029; seven-semester 28-month program
Class size 12 studentsSeats available each fall at the Traverse City campus.
Program length 28 monthsFull program
GRE requirement Confirm with programOlder GVSU materials disagree on this, so don't assume the GRE is waived.
Patient-care minimum 500 healthcare-experience hours requiredPatient care, qualifying healthcare experience, and shadowing may count; hands-on patient care is encouraged.
Overall GPA minimum 3.00A 3.0 minimum applies to overall, last-60, and prerequisite GPA categories.
Science GPA minimum Not publishedA 3.0 prerequisite GPA is required.
PANCE pass rate 92%First-time pass rateFive-year first-time: 84%
U.S. News PA rank Unranked2025 PA edition · Peer-assessed reputationNo published rank for this program in this edition.
YOUR PROFILE & THIS PROGRAM

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THE PROGRAM

A closer look

Mission & approach

To prepare highly competent physician assistants who embrace diversity, equity and inclusion; lead and advance the profession; and provide quality patient-centered healthcare in all communities and settings.

James J. Beckett Building in spring on Northwestern Michigan College’s campus, home of the GVSU Traverse City PA program
The James J. Beckett Building framed by spring blossoms, home of Grand Valley State University’s Traverse City Physician Assistant program.
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

Admissions insights

What this program looks for in applicants

Non-rolling, holistic. Qualified applicants ranked objectively on academic criteria (overall GPA, last-60 GPA, prerequisite GPA) plus added consideration for: prior healthcare degree with clinical experience, >10,000 HCE hours, recommendation rubrics, military/veteran service, >5,000 volunteer hours, >5,000 leadership hours, Casper 2 scores, >=30 credits completed at GVSU, economically disadvantaged background, and demonstrated commitment to underserved communities. Minimum 500 HCE hours and a CASPA custom equity/inclusion question also inform decisions. Traverse City campus additionally weighs previous/current residence in and connections to Northern Michigan. Applicants apply to only one campus (Grand Rapids OR Traverse City).

Summarized from the program’s admissions information. Confirm current selection criteria with the program.

Program admissions information

How this program interviews

On-campusMultiple/varies

The Traverse City cohort goes through Grand Valley's single half-day interview event: individual interviews with PAS faculty and local health care community members, a group interview with program administration, and a faculty panel, plus a facility tour with current students.

Source checked Aug 1, 2026. Interview formats and dates can change between cycles.

Program interview information
YOUR STARTING POINT

Admissions & prerequisites

Admission requirements

GRENot listed on current official requirements; confirm with programOlder GVSU materials disagree on this, so don't assume the GRE is waived.
Patient care500 healthcare-experience hours requiredPatient care, qualifying healthcare experience, and shadowing may count; hands-on patient care is encouraged.
Overall GPA3.0 minimumA 3.0 minimum applies to overall, last-60, and prerequisite GPA categories.
Science GPANo separate science GPA minimumA 3.0 prerequisite GPA is required.
Recommendations2 recommendation rubrics (evaluation forms) requiredOne must be from a healthcare professional; the other may be from a healthcare professional or faculty member.
International applicantsAccepted with conditionsForeign education requires approved evaluation plus 30 U.S. higher-education hours. Northern Michigan ties are a selection factor, not an international restriction.
English proficiencyAn official English test is required in some cases.If no waiver-country or prior-education exemption applies, you'll need TOEFL 4.5 on the new scale (86 on the prior scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 105, or PTE 53. This is separate from international eligibility.

Prerequisite coursework

Semester credit minimums not published

Review each course, its lab, and the program’s policies. Your links are planning records; the program decides equivalency.

Choose one complete option in each group

Courses shown as alternatives in the table are not all required. Confirm the accepted route with the program.

  • Anatomy and physiology route: Human Anatomy (BMS 208 OR BMS 250 + BMS 251) + Human Physiology (BMS 290 OR BMS 250 + BMS 251) OR Combined Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence
  • Psychology: Introductory Psychology (PSY 101) OR Lifespan Development (PSY 364)
CourseCreditsLabMin grade
General Biology (BIO 120)1 course(s)
Course notes & alternatives

Credit and lab requirements aren't stated. Check with the program.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
General Chemistry (CHM 109 OR CHM 125 + CHM 127)
Course notes & alternatives

Credit and lab requirements aren't stated. Check lab requirements for the equivalent course you choose.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Genetics (BIO 355 OR BIO 375 + BIO 376)
Course notes & alternatives

Credit and lab requirements aren't stated.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Organic Chemistry (CHM 231 OR CHM 235 + CHM 237)
Course notes & alternatives

Credit and lab requirements aren't stated. Check with the program about the equivalent you choose.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Biochemistry (CHM 234 OR CHM 461)1 course(s)
Course notes & alternatives

Must be completed before application; within 5 calendar years of application.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Human Anatomy (BMS 208 OR BMS 250 + BMS 251)1 course(s)

Must be completed before you apply and within 5 calendar years. Per the 2024 prerequisite list, the BMS 309 lab goes with BMS 208. This is the separate-course route; combined A&P I/II is the alternate route.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Human Physiology (BMS 290 OR BMS 250 + BMS 251)1 course(s)

Must be completed before you apply and within 5 calendar years. Per the 2024 prerequisite list, the BMS 391 lab goes with BMS 290. This is the separate-course route; combined A&P I/II is the alternate route.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Microbiology (BMS 212 + BMS 213 lab)1 course(s)
Course notes & alternatives

Must be completed before application; within 5 calendar years; BMS 213 is the lab.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Statistics (STA 215)1 course(s)
Course notes & alternatives

Credit and lab requirements aren't stated.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Introductory Psychology (PSY 101)1 course(s)

One psychology option.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Physics (PHY 200 OR PHY 220 OR PHY 221)1 course(s)
Course notes & alternatives

One course. Credit and lab requirements aren't stated; check with the program.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Combined Anatomy & Physiology I and II sequence2 course(s)

Alternative to separate Human Anatomy and Human Physiology. Credit and lab requirements aren't specified, and the program reviews equivalency individually.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC
Lifespan Development (PSY 364)1 course(s)

Alternative to Introductory Psychology; credit hours and lab requirements aren't published.

Not publishedSemester credit minimums not publishedNot specifiedC

Policies that can change your plan

Course age
Only biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology have a 5-year limit.
AP credit
AP accepted with exam score 3, 4, or 5; identify AP coursework in CASPA and provide official score if requested.
Campus
Choose Grand Rapids or Traverse City, not both. GVSU may reassign applicants to either campus to fill vacancies.
How Traverse City applicants are selected.
Program also considers Northern Michigan residence, connections/experience, and interest in serving medically underserved communities.

Grand Rapids and Traverse City use the same prerequisite list. You may apply to only one GVSU campus per cycle. The GVSU course codes listed are examples; confirm outside coursework and lab equivalency with the program.

When courses must be complete: Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry must be finished before the application deadline. All prerequisites and your bachelor's degree must be complete by the May before you start.

Grand Valley State University - Traverse City PA admission/prerequisite requirements Checked 2026-09-23
BUILD YOUR TIMELINE

Dates & application steps

Application deadlineSep 1, 2027

CASPA complete by deadline; August 2028 start; apply to only one GVSU campus

2027–2028
Month-only dates stay month-only.
THE FINANCIAL PICTURE

Know what the total includes

Published cost estimate

Class of 2029; seven-semester 28-month program
Resident tuition$100,580 projected full-program tuition
Nonresident tuition$100,580 projected full-program tuition

$100,580 program + $5,500 program + $1,800 program + $690 program · Projected direct program cost for the Class of 2029; the rate is the same at both campuses. Future rates may change.

Required program feesConfirm with program
Tuition + required feesExcludes living and other expenses
$106,080

Tuition is $100,580 for the Class of 2029. The required clinical rotation fee adds $5,500, for $106,080 total. Books, equipment, compliance and living costs are extra.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN

Curriculum & clinical training

0116 months

Didactic education

The shared curriculum includes four semesters of medical and clinical coursework.

0212 months

Clinical training

Three semesters of supervised clinical training follow the didactic phase.

This profile is for the Traverse City campus. The program emphasizes preparing clinicians to serve northern Michigan.

Grand Valley State University-Traverse City curriculum and clinical training Checked 2026-09-26
WHO STUDIES HERE

The admitted class

Recorded average GPANot recorded
Recorded science GPANot recorded

Published class statistics describe the named cohort or population. They are not admission minimums or acceptance probabilities.

OUTCOMES & OVERSIGHT

The program’s track record

Graduate outcomes

PANCE pass rates

See first-time program performance with clearly dated national context.

  • First-time PANCE pass rate: 92%
  • Five-year first-time PANCE pass rate: 84%

Accreditation history

Accredited-Continued
First accreditedNot listed — see ARC-PA
Next reviewOctober 2034
CHECK THE EVIDENCE

Sources you can open

Links to the program’s own pages and the official directories we use.

About the U.S. News rank

The U.S. News PA rank uses the 2025 PA edition, matched to the listed program and campus. It reflects peer-assessed reputation, not admissions odds or a personal fit score. Programs without a separate entry are labeled “Unranked.”

YOUR NEXT STEP

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