Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies


Academic Information

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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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies


Careers

What Can I do with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies in Physician Assistant Studies?

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.
 

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

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
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 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 


See the full list of Student Learning Outcomes

 

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies


Details

Graduate Admission Information
Additional Admission Requirements
Master's Requirements
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Health and Human Services

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies


Campus Availability

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