Program Overview

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Physician Assistant, M.M.S.

The Saint Louis University physician assistant program's Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) is a 27-month, year-round graduate program with a rigorous full-time didactic and clinical curriculum that provides a broad medical and surgical foundation.

Overview

The primary mission of the SLU physician assistant program is to educate individuals to become competent, compassionate PAs dedicated to excellence in health care and the service of humanity.

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate Degree: Applicants should possess or be on track to a baccalaureate degree earned by the May prior to matriculation.
• Sufficient GPA and Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Science GPA of at least 3.00
  • Overall GPA of at least 3.00
  • Prerequisite coursework includes medical terminology, statistics, college chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, vertebrate or human anatomy, vertebrate or human physiology, and genetics.
• Patient Care Experience:
  • Minimum of 500 hours of patient care experience by the time of application
  • Paid direct patient care experience requiring specialized training and/or certification is most competitive
• Background Checks and Drug Testing:
  • Students admitted to the PA program are required to obtain a criminal background check and undergo drug testing prior to matriculation and during the program
• Application Process:
  • Apply through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) between mid-April and Nov. 1
  • Complete the SLU PA supplemental application
  • Three letters of reference submitted to CASPA
• Application Deadline:
  • Applications close November 1
  • Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

Clinical and Service Opportunities

• Clinical education is an essential and significant component of the PA program
• Students begin phase II, their clinical education, after completing four semesters of didactic education
• Clinical rotations in the major disciplines of medicine and surgery
• Opportunities in prestigious hospitals, private practices, laboratories, and high school and professional sports teams

Certification and Licensure

• Graduates are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
• National certification via NCCPA is required for clinical practice as a PA
• State licensure is also required for clinical practice as a PA

Careers

• The PA profession is thriving with a positive growth outlook and high rankings on many "best careers" polls
• PAs work in all medical and surgical specialties and in hospitals, clinics, and other settings

Tuition

• Tuition per semester:
  • 1st Year: $23,660 (Fall and Spring)
  • 2nd Year: $10,240 (Summer), $16,880 (Fall), $13,820 (Spring)
  • 3rd Year: $18,444 (Fall)
• Additional charges may apply

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• The PA program offers several scholarships to students within the program
• For more information about Saint Louis University scholarships and financial aid, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services

Accreditation

• The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program

Program Competencies

• Students matriculating in the Saint Louis University physician assistant program undertake a difficult, rewarding, and life-changing journey
• The SLU PA program competencies help prepare students for this responsibility and correlate with entry-level PA practice expectations

Program Goals/Learning Outcomes

• Prior to graduation from the physician assistant program, each PA student will:
  1. Accurately demonstrate the medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide effective patient care
  2. Demonstrate appropriate critical reasoning skills in the evaluation and management of patients
  3. Integrate key components of professional behavior, including communication skills, ethical behavior, reliability, and respect for patients and colleagues from all walks of life
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of Jesuit values such as cura personalis and magis as they serve patients and their communities

Effectiveness in Meeting Program Goals

• The SLU PA program has a long and rich history of excellence in didactic and clinical PA education
• Information about the SLU PA program goals and success in meeting them is outlined in the program's effectiveness report

Course List

• A list of courses required for the PA program, including:
  • ANAT 5050: Human Gross Anatomy
  • BLS 5125: Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Medicine
  • PAED 5010: Professional & Psychosocial Issues of Physician Assistant Practice
  • PAED 5040: Physiology
  • PAED 5070: Principles of the Medical Interview
  • PAED 5110: Dermatology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5120: Hematology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5130: Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5140: Clinical Procedures I
  • PAED 5150: Clinical Pharmacology I
  • PAED 5201: Clinical Pharmacology II A
  • PAED 5202: Clinical Pharmacology II B
  • PAED 5211: Pulmonary Fundamentals I
  • PAED 5212: Pulmonary Fundamentals II
  • PAED 5221: Cardiovascular Fundamentals I
  • PAED 5222: Cardiovascular Fundamentals II
  • PAED 5230: Gastroenterology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5240: Nephrology and Genitourinary Fundamentals
  • PAED 5250: Endocrinology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5260: Clinical Procedures II
  • PAED 5290: Clinical Procedures III
  • PAED 5300: Evidence-Based Medicine
  • PAED 5310: Orthopedics and Rheumatology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5320: Neurology Fundamentals
  • PAED 5330: Essentials of Surgery
  • PAED 5340: Essentials of Emergency Medicine
  • PAED 5360: Essentials of Pediatrics
  • PAED 5370: Essentials of Behavioral Medicine
  • PAED 5380: Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • PAED 5390: Clinical Reasoning Seminar
  • PAED 5400: Clinical: Internal Medicine
  • PAED 5420: Clinical: Family Medicine
  • PAED 5510: Clinical: Surgery
  • PAED 5600: Clinical: Pediatrics
  • PAED 5700: Clinical: Behavioral Medicine
  • PAED 5750: Clinical: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
  • PAED 5800: Clinical: Emergency Medicine
  • PAED 5860: Clinical: Evidence-Based Medicine Clerkship
  • PAED 5890: Clinical: Elective
  • PAED 6000: Graduate Seminar

Performance Standards

• Students are expected to adhere to specific academic and professional standards
• Academic expectations include maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and performing at or above 70 percent on exams and other graded components

Technical Standards

• The SLU PA program has established technical standards that all students must meet to successfully complete the program

Additional Requirements

• Community service hours are required during the program
• Admitted PA students must meet SLU health regulations plus program health, immunization, and related requirements prior to program matriculation and throughout the program
• Students are required to obtain a criminal background check and undergo drug testing before matriculation and again before clinical rotations begin

PA Program Policies

• Policies and procedures on academic standards, completion of the program, remediation, deceleration, and withdrawal
• Dismissal, student grievances, and student appeals
• Student employment while enrolled in the program
• Student travel to required rotation sites

Roadmap

• A semester-by-semester plan of study for the PA program
• Includes required courses and credits for each semester

Program Notes

• Phase I: The didactic phase of the PA program consists of four semesters of preclinical lectures, small group discussions, laboratory sessions, and demonstrations
• Phase II: The clinical phase of the PA program includes rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, womens health, family medicine, psychiatry/behavioral medicine, and two rotations in clinical specialties of each students choice