The Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers the only physician assistant studies program in South Dakota. Graduates of the program have experienced a 100% job placement rate, with many going on to practice in the state's rural areas. Our faculty provide expert training, preparing our students to become compassionate, competent physician assistants who are leaders and collaborators on the health care team.
From diagnosing illnesses to researching treatments, physician assistants perform a variety of important roles on the health care team. These advanced health care practitioners collaborate with other medical professionals to deliver high quality patient care.
At USD, our faculty recognize the breadth of skills physician assistants need to best serve their patients. They bring an evidence-based, person-centered approach to the classroom, preparing our students to be competent, compassionate professionals. Our students learn and practice in robust facilities alongside future practitioners from a variety of health sciences fields; this hands-on, collaborative experience positions them to thrive in the dynamic health care setting. After their first year, our students enter their supervised clinical rotations, during which they gain experience in a wide range of clinical settings. With a particular emphasis on rural populations, our program equips future physician assistants with the training, adaptability and professionalism they need to serve their communities.
There is no doubt that the staff and faculty at USD provided myself, others in my cohort, and those before us with the best possible knowledge to provide patient-centered care for those in our communities, region, and across the country.
Mason W. Hanse, PA-C
MS in Physician Assistant Studies '26
Nebraska Orthopaedic Center
Katie Kassin, PA-C, a faculty member in the University of South Dakota’s Physician Assistant Program, was recently appointed by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be the first physician assistant to serve on the state’s Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.
Through a federal grant, a University of South Dakota professor is seeking to help end the devastating impacts that opioid misuse has on individuals, families and communities.
As the state's flagship university, the University of South Dakota is committed to providing relevant academic programs and a strong foundation in the liberal arts to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in an evolving workforce.
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers the only physician assistant studies program in South Dakota. Graduates of the program have experienced a 100% job placement rate, with many going on to practice in the state's rural areas. Our faculty provide expert training, preparing our students to become compassionate, competent physician assistants who are leaders and collaborators on the health care team.
Our position in South Dakota offers us a unique opportunity to serve rural communities.
We are committed to improving patient outcomes for South Dakotans, and we've made this a focus of our program. Through classroom instruction and clinical experience, our students gain the skills they need to thrive in a variety of clinical environments. They graduate ready to deliver the highest quality care to their patients, with many of them going on to serve rural communities.
USD is home to the only comprehensive health sciences school and medical school in the state. This advantage offers our students the unique opportunity to learn and train alongside peers in a variety of disciplines, equipping them with the collaborative experiences they need to be effective members of their future patients' care teams.
We are also proud to have strong relationships with the region's leading health care providers. These partnerships offer our students invaluable opportunities for developing professional connections, getting hands-on experiences and serving their communities early in their education.
