Master of Physician Assistant Science
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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2027-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master of Physician Assistant Science Program
The Master of Physician Assistant Science (MPAS) program at Oakland University is a professional graduate program that prepares individuals for licensure and entry into the physician assistant profession. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice as a physician assistant in a variety of healthcare settings.
Program Overview
The MPAS program is a 28-month, full-time program that includes both didactic and clinical coursework. The program is divided into two phases: the didactic phase, which lasts for 16 months, and the clinical phase, which lasts for 12 months. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of physician assistant science.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the MPAS program is to prepare high-quality physician assistants who are exceptionally trained to practice evidence-based medicine and embrace culturally diverse and inclusive environments. The vision of the program is to transform students into leading members of collaborative healthcare teams, providing empathetic and inclusive care and leaving lasting impacts on the patients and communities they serve.
Program Goals
The program has five goals:
- Support the OU MPAS Program's mission by admitting a diverse cohort of highly qualified students and supporting their success throughout the program to graduation.
- Prepare Physician Assistant students to demonstrate proficiency in medical knowledge and clinical skills, ensuring readiness to competently deliver healthcare as entry-level Physician Assistants.
- Provide interprofessional educational opportunities to foster critical thinking, effective communication, and collaboration with other members of the healthcare community.
- Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of the OU MPAS Program and foster a commitment to lifelong learning to ensure continuous personal and professional growth in the evolving field of healthcare.
- Provide diverse experiential learning opportunities through the OU MPAS Program curriculum to enhance student understanding and application of cultural awareness, social determinants of health, and effective communication strategies in medical practice.
Program Competencies
The program has five competencies:
- Medical Knowledge
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Clinical and Technical Skills
- Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
- Professional Behavior
Technical Standards
The program has technical standards that are necessary for students to successfully complete the program. These standards include:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor
- Sensory
- Strength, Mobility, and Endurance
- Intellectual
- Behavioral and Social
Admissions
Admission to the MPAS program is highly competitive. The program follows the university's graduate admission policies and expectations. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited United States institution. The program also requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for each prerequisite course.
Prerequisite Coursework
The program requires the following prerequisite courses:
- Human Anatomy and Lab
- Human Physiology
- English Composition
- Statistics
- Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry
- Medical Terminology
- Microbiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Nutrition
Application Process
To be eligible for application review, applicants must submit an application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and pay a $100 supplemental application charge directly to Oakland University.
Curriculum
The MPAS program includes theoretical, clinical practice, and research courses and experiences to prepare graduates to function in a variety of settings. The program is a 28-month, full-time, year-round program that requires students to complete 100 credits to graduate.
Faculty and Staff
The program has a diverse faculty and staff with expertise in physician assistant science. The faculty includes:
- Constance Burke, J.D., M.S., PA-C, Director and Associate Professor
- Brian Mason, M.D., Medical Director
- Christopher Davis, MPAS, PA-C, Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor
- Alexandra Guajardo, Ph.D., M.S., PA-C, CLS, Assessment Coordinator and Assistant Professor
- Carol Piesik, DHSc, MS, PA-C, Academic Coordinator and Associate Professor
Information Session
The program offers information sessions for prospective students. The sessions cover prerequisite requirements, application instructions, and application timeline.
Career Information
Physician assistants are versatile and collaborative medical professionals who practice in every medical setting in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The job outlook for physician assistants is projected to grow 20% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Resources
The program provides resources for students, including financial aid, tuition information, and additional student program costs. The program also has a preceptorship program that provides students with clinical experience and opportunities to work with experienced healthcare professionals.
Preceptorship
The program's preceptorship program provides students with clinical experience and opportunities to work with experienced healthcare professionals. Preceptors are expected to supervise, teach, and observe students during their clinical rotations and provide feedback on their performance.