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Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies
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 mission of the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program is to educate individuals from inclusive backgrounds and lived experiences and graduate physician assistants who provide high quality, compassionate medical care to the people of Arizona.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Requirements Accordion Open
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.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- Physician Assistant Content Coursework: 57 units
- Capstone Course Requirement: 2 units
- Physician Assistant Seminar: 1 unit
- Required Clinical Rotations: 48 units
| 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 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.
See the full list of Student Learning Outcomes
Details Accordion Closed
Graduate Admission 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:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
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.
Additional Admission Requirements
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- Submit both the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and the NAU application by the September 1 deadline. CASPA applications must be verified by CASPA no later than October 1 to be considered.
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients are also considered.
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- A minimum of an earned bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution OR equivalent.
- For degrees earned outside of the U.S., applicants must:
- Submit transcripts to the NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies no later than September 1.
- An official transcript in the language of instruction and an official English translation evaluated by either World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
- WES or ECE evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Complete prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores of 100 on the Internet-Based Testing (IBT) and 26 on the speaking component.
- Submit transcripts to the NAU Office of Graduate and Professional Studies no later than September 1.
- For degrees earned outside of the U.S., applicants must:
- A minimum of an earned bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution OR equivalent.
- An Overall and Science Course Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or equivalent (CASPA calculation)
- Complete prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution
- A minimum of 500 hours of health care experience.
- Must be completed by September 1.
- Both volunteer and paid experiences are acceptable.
- A minimum of 500 hours of health care experience.
- Letter(s) of Recommendation or Reference(s)
- Three (3) letters of reference/recommendation.
- Must be submitted through CASPA and be received by CASPA by September 1.
- CASPA will mark your application complete with only two (2) of the three (3) letters, but NAU PA requires all three (3) letters to be received by CASPA by September 1.
- Three (3) letters of reference/recommendation.
- Interview
- Prerequisite(s) that must be completed prior to enrolling in the program:
- Complete prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution
- A minimum of nine (9) semester credits of science coursework must have been completed within the last five (5) years.
- One of the following Anatomy and Physiology Options:
- Anatomy and Physiology I with lab and Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (6 semester credit hours)
- Combination of Anatomy and Physiology courses that cover all body systems (total of 6 semester credits) with lab
- General Biology I (3 semester credit hours)
- General Biology II (3 semester credit hours)
- General Chemistry I with lab (3 semester credit hours)
- General Chemistry II with lab (3 semester credit hours)
- Microbiology with lab (3 semester credit hours)
- Organic or Biochemistry (3 semester credit hours)
- Statistics (2 semester credit hours, any discipline)
- Science coursework in addition to previously listed coursework (12 semester credit hours)
- One of the following Anatomy and Physiology Options:
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.
Master's Requirements
Due to a delay in the review and approval of curriculum by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), an initial curriculum of fewer units was published in the academic catalog in March 2024. Since that time, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) approved the new curriculum with 4 additional units of credit. Since all students entering the program must enroll in a standard, full-time semester-based cohort, tuition and fee charges, as well as course scheduling, remain the same, even with a small increase in units of credit required since the original curriculum publication.
This Master's degree requires 108 units distributed as follows:
- Physician Assistant Content Coursework: 57 units
- Capstone Course Requirement: 2 units
- Physician Assistant Seminar: 1 unit
- Required Clinical Rotations: 48 units
Take the following 108 units:
Physician Assistant Content Coursework (57 units)
Capstone Course Requirement (2 units)
- PHA 689 (2 units)
Physician Assistant Seminar (1 unit)
- PHA 690 (1 unit)
Required Clinical Rotations (48 units)
Each rotation lasts for a period of six (6) weeks.
Additional Information
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 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.
