Program Overview
Introduction to the Physician Assistant Program
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University offers a Physician Assistant (PA) training program that leads to a Master of Medical Science degree (MMS). This program is designed to address the need for expert physician assistants in underserved urban communities.
Mission
The mission of the PA Program at Katz is to provide high-quality didactic and clinical education and training to students while fostering a collaborative, supportive, and empowering learning environment. The program aims to develop compassionate, respectful, and culturally humble physician assistants who will deliver high-quality, patient-centered, evidence-based, accessible healthcare within their communities.
Core Values
The program's core values include:
- Diversity
- Inclusion
- Integrity
- Humanism
- Professionalism
- Scholarship
Program Goals
The program has several goals, including:
- Supporting diversity and inclusion
- Promoting cultural humility in the provision of care to diverse communities
- Training PAs with a robust curriculum resulting in high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care
- Encouraging a high level of professionalism
- Cultivating collaborative patient care skills through integrated interprofessional education (IPE)
- Developing the skills needed to be effective lifelong learners
Program Details
The Master of Medical Science degree (MMS) is designed to be completed in 26 months, divided into two major phases: the Pre-clinical Curriculum (14 months) and the Clinical Curriculum (12 months).
Estimated Costs of the Program
Estimated tuition and fees for the 26-month program are $92,781 for Pennsylvania residents and $97,344 for non-Pennsylvania residents. Other estimated costs related to the program total $2,130.
Program Format and Curriculum
The PA Program format and curriculum are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education and training in physician assistant studies. The program includes a combination of didactic and clinical instruction, as well as interprofessional education and training.
Outcomes
The program measures its outcomes in several areas, including:
- Diversity and inclusion
- Cultural humility
- Clinical skills and knowledge
- Professionalism
- Collaborative practice
- Lifelong learning
- Support diversity and inclusion: The program will support a culture of diversity and inclusion by providing education and training in diversity and inclusion to 100% of students.
- Promote cultural humility: 100% of PA students will receive training in cultural humility.
- Train PAs with a robust curriculum: The program will equip future PAs with the knowledge, clinical skills, and empathy needed to meet patient needs and improve health outcomes.
- Encourage a high level of professionalism: The program expects all students to demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism.
- Cultivate collaborative patient care skills: 100% of students will participate in IPE training throughout both years of the curriculum.
- Develop the skills needed to be effective lifelong learners: 100% of students will achieve passing scores on the Capstone project in the Scholarly Clinical Research II course.
Graduation Outcomes
Graduates of the PA Program are recognized as leaders, educators, and innovators in the delivery of high-quality healthcare that is accessible, affordable, compassionate, and respectful of cultural diversity. The program's outcomes are measured through various means, including graduation rates, PANCE pass rates, and graduate surveys.