University General Course Catalog 2024-2025
Physician Assistant Studies, M.P.A.S.
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 Return to: Programs in the University of Nevada School of Medicine
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program is a terminal professional practice degree. This program prepares students to obtain certification and practice as a PA. This 25-month program includes 13 months of didactic instruction followed by 12 months of preceptor-supervised clinical training. The purpose of this program is to increase the number of providers in the Nevada primary care workforce who are trained specifically to satisfy health care shortages and to function effectively in health care teams.
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Program Vision, Mission & Goals
Vision
The vision of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program is to expand and enhance access to health care for all Nevadans through PA workforce development and advocacy for the profession.
Mission
The mission of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program is to train flexible and committed primary care clinicians dedicated to strengthening health care in their communities.
Goals
- Prepare clinically skilled PAs by providing an educational environment that fosters learning and prepares students to meet primary care workforce needs of underserved and rural Nevada.
- Provide educational and training opportunities for non-traditional students, particularly those from rural and underserved Nevada communities, and those who have served in military medical settings.
- Recruit qualified applicants who will successfully complete medical education as a PA.
- To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be successful, competent PAs.
Admission Requirements
All applications are submitted through the Central Application System for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
Admission requirements for the PA program of study include:
- All prerequisites completed by the application deadline.
- Non-U.S. citizens must have permanent resident visas.
- Completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States. (Currently, foreign degrees, including equivalency evaluations, do not satisfy the academic prerequisites).
- Overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75.
Required Courses: completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States. Must receive a minimum grade of “B” in each course. Advanced Placement courses will not be accepted.
Human Anatomy and Physiology:
Minimum 6 semester credit hours or 9 quarter credit hours
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II OR
- 1 Semester of Anatomy and 1 Semester of Physiology
- Lab strongly recommended
Biology:
Minimum 3 semester credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours
- Microbiology with lab strongly recommended
Chemistry:
Minimum 3 semester credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours
Statistics:
3 semester credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours
Paid Direct Hands-On Clinical Patient Care:
Minimum 2,000 hours (see program website for examples)
I. Program Requirements
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prepares students to obtain certification and practice as a PA. This 25-month program includes 13 months of didactic instruction followed by 12 months of preceptor-supervised clinical training.
The UNR Med PA Studies Program consists of seven total semesters, three of which are strictly clinical clerkships. The program requires full-time enrollment and participation. Students must enroll in every course in the specific sequence outlined below:
Fall II (20 units)
- PAS 700-799 Clerkships (Clinical Rotations; 5 units each)
Spring II (20 units)
- PAS 700-799 Clerkships (Clinical Rotations; 5 units each)
Summer III (20 units)
- PAS 700-799 Clerkships (Clinical Rotations; 5 units each)
Clinical rotations will consist of 12 one-month clerkships in:
- family medicine, behavioral medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, inpatient internal medicine, medically-underserved populations, women’s health, pediatrics,
- two primary care selectives (example: additional rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, or medically-underserved populations), and
- two electives (example: orthopedics, cardiology, pulmonary, rheumatology, hospice, trauma surgery, or others).
II. Total Units (123 units)
The program is 123 credits, full-time, and units are completely prescribed with no option for variation. Students must enroll in every course and maintain satisfactory academic advancement in the specific sequence outlined in the curriculum to satisfy the requirements for graduation.
Note(s):
Accreditation Information
The Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Physician Assistant Studies Program housed within the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
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Return to: Programs in the University of Nevada School of Medicine
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