Program Overview

University of Alabama at Birmingham Physician Assistant Studies Program

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers a Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPAS) degree through its School of Health Professions. This program is designed to prepare students for a career as a physician assistant, working under the supervision of a physician to provide medical care to patients.

Program Overview

The MSPAS program at UAB is a 28-month program that includes both didactic and clinical components. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become a competent physician assistant.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the MSPAS program at UAB, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Complete all prerequisite courses, including:
  • Human Anatomy (4 hours)
  • Introductory Human Physiology (4 hours)
  • Introductory Biology I (4 hours)
  • Introductory Biology II (4 hours)
  • Introduction to Microbiology (4 hours)
  • General Chemistry I and II (8 hours)
  • Elementary Statistical Methods (3-4 hours)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
  • Developmental Psychology (3 hours)
  • Medical Terminology (3 hours)
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Submit three letters of recommendation
• Submit a personal statement
• Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Complete a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience

Program Curriculum

The MSPAS program at UAB includes a combination of didactic and clinical coursework. The didactic component includes courses such as:

• Human Gross Anatomy
• Medical Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Pathology
• Clinical Medicine
• Surgical Disease
• Clinical Lab Medicine
• History and Physical Examination
• Introduction to the Profession
• Electrocardiography
• Applied Behavioral Medicine
• Risk Management
• Fundamentals of Clinical Research
• Analysis of Professional Literature

The clinical component includes 11 clinical rotations, including:

• Clinical Service I-XII
• Senior Seminar I-III
• Master's Research Project

Clinical Rotations

The clinical rotations are designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings, including:

• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• General Surgery
• Behavioral Medicine
• Women's Health
• Emergency Medicine

Faculty

The MSPAS program at UAB is taught by a faculty of experienced physician assistants and physicians, including:

• Ashford II, Rowell, Associate Medical Director
• Black, W. Cody, Associate Program Director
• DeMarco, Dina, Assistant Professor
• Dorman, Erin, Assistant Professor
• Gilford, M. Tosi, Director, MS in Physician Assistant Studies
• Litton, Allison, Assistant Professor
• Lotson, Fallon, Assistant Professor
• Neighbors, Heather F., Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Clinical Education
• Reiff, Donald, Medical Director
• Villanueva, Jana, Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Clinical Education
• Wood, David, Assistant Professor

Accreditation

The MSPAS program at UAB is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Professional Certification

Graduates of the MSPAS program at UAB are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to become a certified physician assistant.

Dual Degree Option

UAB also offers a dual degree option, which allows students to earn both a Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPAS) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. This program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in public health and healthcare.