The UND Physician Assistant Program was established in 1970 at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, in response to health manpower shortages and the lack of access to primary health care in rural communities. Initially, the Program was designed to build upon the existing clinical skills of independent duty medical corpsmen returning from the Vietnam conflict to prepare them for a role in civilian primary health care delivery. The Program adopted an adult learning, competency-based curriculum and deployment strategy (MEDEX) developed by the University of Washington.

Beginning in 1972, the Program turned to experienced registered nurses for its applicant pool. The Program’s goal was to expand and extend the role of RNs in community-oriented primary care practice settings. The MEDEX technology was retained, as was the original mission of preparing health care professionals for providing primary care in rural and underserved areas.

From then until January, 2004, a Physician Assistant Certificate was given to all who successfully completed the 12 month Program. And from 1972 to 1992, those who qualified received dual certification as a Physician Assistant and a Family Nurse Practitioner.

In 2003, the Program joined the Department of Family Medicine.  The UND PA Program changed from a Certificate program to a graduate level program in August, 2003, when it began offering a Master of Physician Assistant Studies.  The Program is now 24 months in length.  It is comprised of a combination of on-line courses, didactic lectures on campus, and clinical experiences under the supervision of a physician in primary care.  The first class of masters' students graduated in May, 2005.

In August, 2006, a three year pilot program began when the Program accepted not only registered nurses, but experienced clinical health care professionals from other disciplines.

At present, a class of 70 students will accepted every two years.  The classes begin in June of the even years, 2008, 2010, 2012, etc.

To date, the Program has over 1500 graduates who are employed throughout the U.S. (including Hawaii, Alaska, and the Virgin Islands), Canada, and overseas.  Over 65% of the graduates are employed in primary care practices.

The Program itself has had continuous accreditation since its inception. At the last accreditation site visit the program was given a 5 year reaccreditation.