Program Overview

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Overview

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at St. Catherine University provides the building blocks of critical thinking by incorporating medical decision-making, ethical considerations, and principles of team-based practice into every course. Our innovative curriculum begins with 14 months in the classroom engaging in progressive, rich discussion—one that includes a global perspective—and hands-on experiences alongside experts in clinical settings. Next is 14 months of clinical clerkships (2,000 hours at a clinical location) before concluding with a senior seminar.

Program at a Glance

• Format: On campus
• Start: Fall
• Time to completion: 28 months (7 semesters)
• Credits required: 110
• Tuition per semester: $15,641 (rate)
• Total tuition: $109,487

Rates are subject to change each June 1.

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the St. Catherine University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by St. Catherine University. Learn more about accreditation and outcomes here.

Plan of Study

Below are sample plans of study. For course descriptions and other details, consult the University catalog.

Year 1

• Fall
  • PA 6000 Foundations (1cr)
  • PA 6010 Dermatology (3cr)
  • PA 6020 Musculoskeletal (4cr)
  • PA 6030 Neurology (3cr)
  • PA 6040 Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat Infectious Disease (3cr)
  • PA 8010 Evidence-Based Medicine I (2cr)
• J-term
  • PA 6050 Cardiovascular (5cr)
• Spring
  • PA 6060 Pulmonary (4cr)
  • PA 6070 Gastroenterology (3cr)
  • PA 6080 Genitourinary (2cr)
  • PA 6090 Hematology and Oncology (2cr)
  • PA 6115 Endocrine (3cr)
  • PA 6120 Mental Health (2cr)
  • PA 8012 Evidence-Based Medicine II (2cr)
• Summer
  • PA 6205 Women’s Health (3cr)
  • PA 6305 Pediatrics (3cr)
  • PA 6400 Geriatrics (2cr)
  • PA 6500 Special Populations (2cr)
  • PA 6605 Primary Care (3cr)

Year 2

• Fall
  • PA 6700 Surgical and Hospital Care (2cr)
  • PA 6800 Urgent and Emergency Care (2cr)
  • Clinical Clerkships (8cr)
• J-term
  • Clinical Clerkship (4cr)
• Spring
  • Clinical Clerkships (16cr)
• Summer
  • Clinical Clerkships (12cr)

Year 3

• Fall
  • PA 7255 Community of Clinical Quality Improvement (4cr)
  • PA 7900 Senior Clerkship I (4cr)
  • PA 7950 Senior Clerkship II (4cr)
  • PA 7985 Senior Seminar-Capstone (2cr)

Career Outcomes

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prepares students for a career as a physician assistant. Physician assistants work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and are qualified to provide medical care to patients under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Financial Aid

St. Catherine University offers financial aid to students in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Students may be eligible for scholarships, grants, and loans to help fund their education. For more information, please visit the university's financial aid website.

Information Session

Prospective students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Sessions are held on campus and provide an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff, ask questions, and learn more about the program.

Tuition Rates

Tuition rates for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program are as follows:

• Tuition per semester: $15,641 (rate)
• Total tuition: $109,487

Rates are subject to change each June 1.