The NAU Physician Assistant (PA) program is the only PA program offered at a public university in Arizona. Portions of the 24-month curriculum are collaboratively delivered in partnership with community stakeholders and faculty experts specializing in their respective disciples. Successful graduates will receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from NAU and will be qualified to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination that is required for licensure as a PA.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northern Arizona University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be October 2035. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program's accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Physician Assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine in a healthcare team. PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA). As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.
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:
Individual degree programs may exceed the baseline University Policy for a master's degree. The program-specific requirements are provided on the Details tab below.
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 108 |
| 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 |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
Physician Assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine in a healthcare team. PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training, and are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certifying examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA).
As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and can write prescriptions in all states. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.
NAU has a long history of quality Health Science education with up-to-date technology, simulation center and inter-professional learning environment, and in supervised clinical experiences throughout Arizona
Our program is based on the philosophy that PAs can make a difference providing healthcare in underserved and rural areas of Arizona. During the clinical year, students will be educated in community health clinics, Indian health service facilities, and other community-based institutions. Students are encouraged to apply to become National Health Service Corps scholars. The program will work with the state's 5 Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and the Arizona Alliance of Community Health Centers (AACHC) to identify rural healthcare sites for additional learning experiences.
Student Learning Outcomes
Competencies: The medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice. (ARC-PA glossary)
Graduates from the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program will have met the following competencies appropriate for practice as an entry level physician assistant.1
Medical Knowledge
Demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to person-centered care.
Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrate effective communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.
Clinical and Technical Skills
Demonstrate the clinical and technical skills appropriate for an entry level physician assistant, including assessment of health status by gathering a history, performing physical examination, ordering and interpreting appropriate screening and diagnostic studies, diagnosing, performing procedures, and developing a management plan that considers social determinants of health for acute and chronic conditions.
Professional Behaviors
Demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability, compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to excellence, integrity, inclusivity, equity and ongoing professional development.
Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
Integrate critical thinking skills and apply evidence-based medical knowledge to formulate appropriate differential diagnoses and provide entry level patient care health services across the lifespan* for a diverse population in a variety of settings.**
Address preventative care, emergent, acute and chronic conditions, women's health, surgical care, and behavioral and mental health conditions. Recognize the need for urgent or emergent care and initiate evaluation and management including referral.
*Including prenatal, infant, child, adolescent, adult, elderly
**Outpatient, emergency department, inpatient, operating room
1 American Academy of PAs (AAPA). Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. Adopted 2005, reaffirmed 2010, 2018, amended 2013, 2021.
More Information
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Completion and submission of all minimum requirements, including, prerequisite coursework, official transcripts, and letter of reference/recommendation MUST be received in CASPA on or before September 1. A minimum of a bachelor's degree must be completed or conferred prior to matriculation. The program does not waive any prerequisite requirements.
This Master's degree requires 108 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 108 units:
Physician Assistant Content Coursework (56 units)
Capstone Course Requirement (3 units)
Physician Assistant Seminar (1 unit)
Required Clinical Rotations (48 units)
Each rotation lasts for a period of six (6) weeks.
Clinical Rotations include: Surgery, Women's Health, Mental Health, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and an Elective.
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.