Physician Assistant Studies, M.P.A.S.

Contact Us

Darlene Zwart
College of Health Professions

Grand Valley State University
Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences
301 Michigan St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3314

Telephone: (616) 331-3356
Email: zwartda@gvsu.edu
 www.gvsu.edu/pas
 

Master of Physician Assistant Studies Overview

Grand Valley State University's Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.) is offered through the university's College of Health Professions and is designed for practitioners seeking a terminal degree in physician assistant studies.

About the M.P.A.S.

The program includes four semesters of coursework in human anatomy, medical physiology, clinical applications, clinical medicine, pathophysiology, practical therapeutics, physician assistant (PA) profession issues, and research methods. The curriculum combines traditional classroom sessions with Web-based instruction, case studies, and problem-based learning to provide students with the knowledge and clinical acumen to sit for their certification examination and practice medicine upon graduation. These four semesters are followed by three additional semesters of hands-on training.

  • Hands-on. Students spend their final three semesters completing rotations in various clinical specialties, by working in clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals throughout Western Michigan, other Michigan communities, and even some out-of-state or international communities.
  • Accredited. Fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). This allows program graduates to take the required national certification examination after graduation.
  • Member. The Grand Valley State University physician assistant studies program is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the national organization representing educational programs for physician assistant faculty members.
  • Recognized. The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) recognize the Grand Valley State University physician assistant studies program, its students, and its graduates as an official PA program.
  • Successful. Grand Valley physician assistant graduates have demonstrated a 100 percent pass rate on the  national certification examination from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc. from 2006-2009.
  • Convenient. The Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences puts students in the heart of Grand Rapid’s Health Hill near the Van Andel Research Institute, Spectrum Health, St. Mary’s Health Care, and other scientific health care providers and businesses.

The MPAS requires 103 credits over 28 consecutive months. The first half of the program is spent primarily in the classroom with clinical site observations and the latter half of the program consists of clinical rotations through 10 different clinical experiences. Admission to the program is competitive, with a maximum class size of 35 students. All application materials are available online. Candidates may submit applications in the year that they attain undergraduate senior status. Nontraditional students are encouraged to meet with the PAS Admissions Chairperson or the student services coordinator for application information and transcript review.  

Related Programs

Admissions

The M.P.A.S degree requirements and application for admission are available online. The $30 application fee is waived for undergraduate students and alumni of Grand Valley.

Cost

Grand Valley offers an excellent education at a reasonable cost and a number of ways to finance your graduate degree.