2015-2016

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

College of Health and Human Services

The NAU Physician Assistant (PA) program is the only PA program offered at a public university in Arizona. Parts of the 24-month curriculum are delivered in collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix.  The program is provisionally accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA). Successful graduates will receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from NAU and will be qualified to take the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) that is required for licensure as a PA.
  
The NAU PA program offers high-quality clinical experiences, interdisciplinary medical education, value and affordability. The program will equip students with clinical and professional knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide high-quality, compassionate medical care for the people of Arizona. The mission of the program addresses the need to reduce Arizona’s health care workforce shortages.

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation - Provisional status to the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northern Arizona University.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Didactic courses (53 units)
  • Supervised clinical experience (47 units)
  • Capstone: summative exam and independent project (2 units)

Minimum Units for Completion 102
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Additional Fees/Program Fees Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • NAU Graduate Online application required (www.nau.edu/graduateapply) for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent. 
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit http://nau.edu/GradCol/Admissions/Graduate-Admissions-Policy/ .

    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • GRE® Revised General Test
    • Completed CASPA application
    • Three Letters of Recommendation
    • Prerequisites (completed prior to enrolling in the program)
      • Required coursework:
        • anatomy and physiology (one of each or two course of combined A&P)
        • 2 courses in chemistry, one course in microbiology
        • one statistics course (any discipline)
        • one lab course (NOT online)
        • 4 upper division science courses; at least 40 units of science courses
      • Nine units of science courses must be completed in the last 5 years
    • Personal Statement or Essay
    • 500 hours of direct patient care, paid or volunteer
Master's Requirements

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION

  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $13,000 per year has been approved for this program. IT remains $11,000 for second year students.