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. 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.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
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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 (54 units)
- Supervised clinical experience (47 units)
- Capstone: summative exam and independent project (2 units)
Minimum Units for Completion | 103 |
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 |
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 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.
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
- Obtain and record a complete and accurate medical history from any patient in any setting.
- Perform a complete or problem-focused physical examination on any patient in any setting.
- Interpret and synthesize the information derived from the history, physical examination and other patient related data to guide the formulation of a thorough differential diagnosis
- Order, perform and interpret appropriate diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests based upon the findings from the medical history and physical examination.
- Identify, discuss, perform, and order appropriate therapy and treatment modalities for the management of commonly occurring primary care entities.
- Recognize life threatening conditions.
- Clearly and effectively communicate with patients, their families, and other medical personnel in a professional manner
- Demonstrate the impact that health problems have on the individual and family members and will develop an attitude of professional concern for each patient.
- Utilize critical thinking skills through the use of evidence-based medicine.
- Articulate the unique role of the physician assistant in the medical team.
- Possess a working knowledge of the American health care delivery system.
- Exhibit ethical behavior and professional conduct.
Additional Admission Requirements
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Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
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- 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:
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- GRE® revised General Test
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- Completed CASPA application
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- Three letters of recommendation
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- Prerequisites (completed prior to enrolling in the program)
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- Required coursework:
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- 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
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- Nine units of science courses must be completed in the last 5 years
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- Personal statement or essay
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- 500 hours of direct patient care, paid or volunteer
Master's Requirements
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Take the following 103 units:
- PHA 500, PHA 511, PHA 512, PHA 520, PHA 521, PHA 522, PHA 530, PHA 540, PHA 550, PHA 551, PHA 560, PHA 561, PHA 570, PHA 580, PHA 581, PHA 610, PHA 698 (57 units)
- Capstone: PHA 689 (2 units)
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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
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Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $14,000 per year has been approved for this program.