The University of Montana Launches Montana’s First Public Physician Associate Program

The University of Montana will launch the state’s first public physician associate program this fall with 24 student slots. This new program aims to address Montana’s persistent rural healthcare worker shortage by training physician associates to serve underserved communities.

UM recently received accreditation-provisional status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, enabling the program to start in fall 2026. Over 600 applicants vied for the limited cohort, reflecting strong demand. The curriculum spans 26 months, including 12 months of pre-clinical instruction, a clinical year with eight six-week rotations across Montana—including Native American reservations and prisons—and two months of post-clinical education. Clinical partnerships with hospitals such as Providence St. Patrick in Missoula provide hands-on experience.

Students will begin clinical rotations this fall, progressing to post-clinical preparation before entering the workforce. Montana requires roughly 20 new PA hires annually, and the program’s cohort size aligns closely with this demand. Physician associates in Montana may practice independently after 8,000 hours of postgraduate experience, expanding their role in rural healthcare.

Montana’s vast rural geography and tight-knit communities could make this locally rooted program especially effective in retaining healthcare providers where they are most needed. The program’s focus on training Montanans to serve Montanans may foster a durable cycle of workforce replenishment in areas facing critical shortages.

UM Launches State’s First Public PA Program, Tackling Rural Healthcare Shortage
By UM News Service , University of Montana