Physician Assistant (MS)
Description
Master of Science
The Master of Science degree with a major in Physician Assistant (PA) prepares medical professionals to be licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. The program provides opportunities for those first entering a health care profession and those seeking career mobility within the health care field.
The curriculum builds on the clinical and academic competencies acquired through the bachelor's degree. An emphasis is placed on the natural and behavioral sciences and work experience. Coursework specific to the Physician Assistant program is combined with graduate courses in health promotion/disease prevention, health care policy, and methodology in medical research.
The first year of the program is didactic coursework in the medical and social sciences with related educational experiences to address the physical, interpersonal and psychosocial needs of patients. Classes are scheduled in summer sessions as well as regular fall and winter semesters.
During the second year, students acquire clinical expertise through a broad range of intensive clinical rotations, community health education and health projects with medically underserved communities. Clinical work is scheduled in summer sessions as well as in the regular fall and winter semesters. Each student completes the course of study with a preceptorship in primary care medicine.
A three-year course of study is available. This program track is designed for health professionals and others who wish to earn the master's degree while continuing employment or other obligations. Students in this track divide the didactic coursework over a two-year period rather than one. The clinical year is completed in the same manner as the traditional two-year program.
The Master of Science degree is conferred at the completion of the program requirements. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certifying exam administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
The Physician Assistant Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), holds membership in the Physician Assistant Education Association, and is host to a student chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
- Application deadline: January 15 via CASPA, the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants.
- Application fee: Per CASPA.
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Accreditation
At its September 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the University of Detroit Physician Assistant Program sponsored by University of Detroit Mercy on Accreditation- Probation status until its next review in September 2025.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC- PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-detroit-mercy/. -
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Admissions Requirements
Admissions Criteria
Admission requirements for the Master of Science degree with a major in Physician Assistant includes:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
- Submission of all official transcripts for college/university education.
- Official Graduate Record Examination general aptitude scores with a minimum score of 900 combined on the old GRE scale, and 291 on the new GRE scale.
- Completion of the prerequisite courses within the six years prior to application with a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0. Prerequisites must be completed by application deadline.
- Evidence of problem solving ability and communication skills as well as understanding of and commitment to the PA role, as demonstrated on the PA application and in candidate interviews.
- 1000 hours of health care or helping care experience with increasing levels of responsibility, leadership and evidence of community service.
- Two recommendations; Professional recommendations from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's work, not someone "shadowed", and if possible (but not required), at least one from a practicing physician assistant or a physician familiar with the role and responsibilities of the physician assistant.
- A personal interview with the members of the Physician Assistant Graduate Admissions Committee. Personal interviews are by invitation and the class is selected only from among those interviewed.
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Academic Policies and Requirements
To remain in good academic standing and to graduate from the program, a student must maintain a 3.0 GPA. All courses in the PA curriculum must be passed with a B- or better. Students are expected to maintain a mature, professional attitude consistent with that of an effective health care practitioner.
The performance record of each student is reviewed at the end of each semester. Any student who fails to maintain these standards may not be permitted to progress in the program.
The program may be completed in two or three years. The maximum amount of time to complete the course of study is three years unless approval is granted by the department due to extenuating circumstances.
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Degree Requirements for the Master of Science degree with major in Physician Assistant (68 credits)
- BIO 5430 Advanced Human Anatomy (2 credits)
- BIO 5450 Advanced Human Anatomy Lab (2 credits)
- HLH 5320 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction (3 credits)
- HLH 5300 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics I (2 credits)
- HLH 5310 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics II (2 credits)
- HLH 5500 Research Methods in Health Care (3 credits)
- HLH 5700 Health Care Delivery and Policy Issues (3 credits)
- HLH 5900 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- PAS 5100 Patient Evaluation Practicum I (3 credits)
- PAS 5200 Patient Evaluation Practicum II (3 credits)
- PAS 5240 Clinical Medicine I (3 credits)
- PAS 5250 Clinical Medicine II (3 credits)
- PAS 5260 Clinical Medicine III (3 credits)
- PAS 5300 Patient Evaluation Practicum III (3 credits)
- PAS 5360 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures I (1 credits)
- PAS 5370 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures II (1 credits)
- PAS 5380 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures III (1 credits)
- PAS 5400 Clinical Rotation I (3 credits)
- PAS 5401 Clinical Rotation II (3 credits)
- PAS 5402 Clinical Rotation III (3 credits)
- PAS 5403 Clinical Rotation IV (3 credits)
- PAS 5404 Clinical Rotation V (2 credits)
- PAS 5405 Clinical Rotation VI (2 credits)
- PAS 5406 Clinical Rotation VII (2 credits)
- PAS 5407 Clinical Rotation VIII (2 credits)
- PAS 5408 Clinical Rotation IX (2 credits)
- PAS 5409 Clinical Rotation X (2 credits)
- PAS 5870 Physician Assistant Seminar I (1 credits)
- PAS 5880 Physician Assistant Seminar II (1 credits)
- PAS 5890 Physician Assistant Seminar III (1 credits)
Total credits required: 68 credits
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Program Policy Manual
The Student Handbook contains additional policies that apply to PA students.
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Program Contact Information
Ms. Alexis Burgess, Administrative Assistant
College of Health Professions, 115
McNichols Campus
Telephone: 313-993-2474
Fax: 313-993-1271
Email: burgesam@udmercy.edu