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Physician Assistant Studies, M.P.A.S.
Physician assistants (PAs) are valued members of the medical community who work as part of a collaborative health care team. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, make clinical diagnoses, treat illnesses, provide patient education, counsel patients, assist in surgery, create patient orders, interpret lab studies, and prescribe medications.
Source: EMSI, 2021
Program Overview
The Grand Valley State University M.P.A.S. program was established in 1995. The main campus is located at Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences. In 2015, the program expanded to include Traverse City to serve the needs of Northern Michigan. The program is now simultaneously delivered to the two campuses through telepresence videoconferencing.
Admission to the M.P.A.S. Program
Admission to the program is highly competitive. Candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree and have satisfied admission criteria which include: completion of prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, completion of the GRE and CASPer online situational judgment test, minimum healthcare experience hours, and completion of recommendation rubrics.
In addition to general admission requirements, admission to Traverse City campus will include previous/current residence and/or connections to Northern Michigan.
Further details can be found at the M.P.A.S. website, gvsu.edu/pas/. Applications are submitted through the CASPA system: caspa.liaisoncas.com. The deadline is September 1. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
Why Choose Physician Assistant Studies at Grand Valley?
- Excellent Resources: The program has two locations: the Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences, Grand Rapids and The University Center, Traverse City. Both facilities offer dedicated laboratory and classroom space, access to a simulation center, and connections to the local health care community.
- Successful: Over the last five years, GVSU graduates have had a first-time pass rate of 99% on the NCCPA certification exam.
- Small Student to Faculty Ratio: The program accepts 48 students per year. Students have greater access to our 12 dedicated faculty members and opportunity for small group discussions.
- Recognized Faculty: Our faculty are recognized locally and nationally for teaching excellence and evidence-based clinical practice.
- Accredited: The Grand Rapids and Traverse City locations are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA; arc-pa.org).
Program Details