Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science in Physican Assistant (PA) Studies
海角社区鈥檚 PA Program is a primary-care focused program that challenges students to be their best and become compassionate, empathetic, and forward-thinking healthcare providers. Established in 1994, we are Minnesota鈥檚 first PA Program, and we continuously strive to go above and beyond for our students鈥� education and experience.
During our 27-month long, full-time program, students will gain the skills to provide team-based patient care in an inclusive and active learning environment and will graduate with a Master of Science in PA Studies.
PA Program History
In 1994, 海角社区 began the official launch of the Physician Assistant Program. We were a 4-year post baccalaureate program that enabled students to receive their PA license and certification. Not only was it the first (and only) PA program in Minnesota at the time, it was also designed to follow 海角社区鈥檚 guiding principles and mission.
The first class of 23 students were located in the basement of Anderson hall and had 12 months of coursework followed by 15 months of clinical rotations and a 12-week long preceptorship. In 2002 we made the official switch to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree, among the first PA programs in the country to do so. Since then 海角社区 PA has continued to change and listen to the demands and needs within healthcare.
Today, the program is 27 months long, with 15 months of coursework focused on clinical applications in human anatomy, clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy, history and physical examination, and community health and evidence-based practice. This is followed by 12 months of clinical rotations in family medicine, behavioral health, internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, reproductive health, pediatrics and electives. Our classrooms are located adjacent to 海角社区 on a large medical campus and our clinical training sites are located throughout Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, and beyond. We are connected to a wide variety of diverse communities where our students live and learn.
Why 海角社区?
We strive to provide PA education based on a foundation of respect and sensitivity to people of every culture and background. In addition to a comprehensive primary care curriculum that advances alongside healthcare (think telehealth and point-of-care ultrasound), our students learn in an active and belonging environment with a wide range of community engagement opportunities.
Graduate Certificates & Fellowships
海角社区 provides exceptional opportunities for aspiring physician assistants through its graduate certificates and fellowship programs. Designed to enhance both classroom learning and real-world experience, these offerings empower students to build advanced skills, gain hands-on training, and stand out in their careers. Whether through specialized coursework or immersive fellowship experiences, 海角社区 equips students with the tools and expertise needed to excel in the competitive healthcare field.
海角社区 offers this program for professionals who want to develop their leadership skills without undertaking a full-length leadership degree program. It can be completed alongside your PA studies.
Certificate Course Outline
- ML 505 Foundations of Leadership (Required)
- ML 5xx Elective #1
- ML 5xx Elective #2
Visit the full Leadership Certificate Page to learn more about the certificate.
This course credit-seeking certificate program aims to create awareness for health, equity, and racial justice in health, healthcare systems, and communities. This certificate is designed for current graduate students and alumni in healthcare-focused disciplines at 海角社区 who desire a graduate certificate in Health Equity and Racial Justice in Healthcare. The certificate courses are part of distinct graduate departments with 海角社区: Nursing, Physician Assistants, Leadership, Social Work, and Business.
Certificate Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate the social determinants of health into the context of professional practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Explore hegemonic norms, privilege, and bias in health care practices as structural barriers and systems of oppression are explored.
- Demonstrate principles of transformative action through advocacy, praxis, and speaking truth to power.
Visit the Nursing Program Certificate Page to learn more about certificate requirements.
This is an opportunity for recently graduated, access-minded PAs to grow their leadership and teaching skills in a hands-on classroom setting, between the graduation and clinical practice timeline.
The Graduate Fellow will be supported financially to work with the PA program to become a mentor and role model to current graduate-level PA students and PA faculty, reaffirming and growing our culture of equity, inclusion, and diversity.聽The Fellow will have an opportunity to prepare for their boards, licensure, and clinical practice while being mentored by PA program faculty in principles of health professions education and then applying those skills in the PA classroom.
PA fellows meet the following guidelines:
- Anticipated Fall 2024 graduation from PA school or recently graduated from an accredited PA program.
- Demonstrates a commitment to teaching future PAs in the clinical or educational setting.
- Possesses a strong understanding of the experiences of under-resourced groups in medicine and PA education.
- Experience leading and/or organizing scholarly work, events, or projects that serve to create and advance an equitable healthcare and learning environment for all.
鈥淲ith the mentorship of the 海角社区 professors, the connections built between my cohort members, and the skills gained over the 26 months of the program, my understanding of business acumen developed greatly, and I landed an amazing opportunity in health care as a research analyst. The MBA program at 海角社区 has been a paramount experience for me, and I will be forever grateful for this journey.鈥�
Na'eema 鈥�22 MBA
Upcoming Events
MBA, MAE/T, and MA in Leadership Information Session
September 25, at 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm
Join us for a chance to learn more about our MA in Education/Teaching, MBA, and MA in Leadership programs from faculty and staff. We are hosting this event at Lake Monster Brewing Company in St. Paul!
鈥淚n the City鈥� Information Session
October 7th at 5:30 pm
Join us for an opportunity to learn more about our graduate programs at 海角社区! Connect with faculty and program leaders to review program objectives, educational delivery format, and what makes the graduate student experience unique. Our Graduate Admissions Team members will be available to address any questions to help you navigate the application process. Click the image above to register!
Faculty
Our dedicated team of faculty and staff is committed to supporting your success鈥攂oth in the classroom and beyond.
Have Questions?
We are here to answer all your questions and help you embark on a successful educational journey to ensure that you receive support every step of the way.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted聽Accreditation-Continued status聽to the 海角社区 Physician Assistant Program sponsored by 海角社区. 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 2029 June. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program鈥檚 accreditation history can be viewed on the聽