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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 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)
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: 44 units
| Minimum Units for Completion | 104 |
| 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.
- A minimum of an earned bachelor’s or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution OR equivalent.* Bachelor’s degree does not need to be complete upon application to the program, but pre-requisite courses (see below) must be completed upon application to the program.
- *If the undergraduate degree was earned outside the U.S.:
- Submit official transcripts in the language of instruction and an official English translation evaluated by either WES or ECE to the NAU Graduate College and to CASPA no later than September 1. WES or ECE evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Complete pre-requisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum TOEFL scores of 100 on the IBT and 26 on the speaking component.
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Completed CASPA application
- 3 letters of recommendation (CASPA submission only)
- 500 hours of health care experience, paid or volunteer
- In-person Interview
- Overall and Science Course Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or equivalent (CASPA calculation)
- Nine units of science coursework (any discipline) must be completed in the last 5 years. These courses may be the same as the prerequisite courses noted below.
- Prerequisite courses from a U.S. regionally accredited institution (completed at the time of application)
- Required coursework:
- Anatomy and physiology I with lab or anatomy with lab (3 semester credit hours)
- Anatomy and physiology II with lab or physiology with lab (3 semester credit hours)
- 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 (3 semester credit hours, any discipline)
- Additional science coursework (12 semester credit hours)
- Personal Statement or Essay
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 104 units distributed as follows:
- Physician Assistant Content Coursework: 57 units
- Capstone Course Requirement: 2 units
- Physician Assistant Seminar: 1 unit
- Required Clinical Rotations: 44 units
Take the following 104 units:
Physician Assistant Content Coursework (57 units)
Capstone Course Requirement (2 units)
- PHA 689 (2 units)
Physician Assistant Seminar (1 unit)
- PHA 698 (1 unit)
Required Clinical Rotations (44 units)
Five 4-week rotations. Three 8-week rotations.
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.
Curriculum
What to expect from your coursework as an NAU PA student
The Physician Assistant program at Northern Arizona University encompasses a 2-year period. The first year is all academic, while the second year provides real-world experiences.PA curriculum year to year
Year one Accordion Closed
| Year I Fall Semester (16 weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHA 500 Human Anatomy | 5 |
| PHA 520 Foundations of Clinical Practice I | 3 |
| PHA 530 History Taking and Physical Examination | 4 |
| PHA 540 Ethics and Professionalism | 2 |
| PHA 511 Human Physiology | 2 |
| PHA 570 Diagnostic Medicine | 3 |
| Total | 19 |
| Year I Spring Semester (16 weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHA 550 Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics I | 3 |
| PHA 521 Foundations of Clinical Practice II | 8 |
| PHA 560 Clinical Decision Making I | 3 |
| PHA 580 Clinical Disciplines I | 3 |
| PHA 512 Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
| Year I Summer Semester (12 weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHA 551 Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics II | 3 |
| PHA 522 Foundations of Clinical Practice III | 6 |
| PHA 561 Clinical Decision Making II | 2 |
| PHA 581 Clinical Disciplines II | 3 |
| PHA 590 Clinical Procedures and Interventions | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
Year two Accordion Closed
- family medicine
- internal medicine
- emergency medicine
- surgery
- mental health
- pediatrics
- women’s health
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHA 698 Seminar | 1 |
| PHA 689 PA Capstone | 2 |
| PHA 631 Family Medicine | 8 |
| PHA 632 Internal Medicine | 8 |
| PHA 634 Pediatrics | 8 |
| PHA 613 Surgery | 4 |
| PHA 615 Women's Health | 4 |
| PHA 616 Mental Health | 4 |
| PHA 617 Emergency Medicine | 4 |
| PHA 620 Elective | 4 |
| Total | 47 |
| Total Curriculum | 103 |