Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.)
Graduate Major
Grand Rapids • Traverse City • Face to face • Credits
Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed medical professionals who work with collaborating physicians to provide a wide range of healthcare services.
Overview
Grand Valley's Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.) program is located on the Health Campus in Grand Rapids, with an additional site in Traverse City. The program is delivered simultaneously to both campuses through telepresence videoconferencing. Admission is highly competitive, requiring a baccalaureate degree, completion of prerequisite courses, Casper situational judgement test, healthcare experience, and recommendation rubrics.
The 28-month curriculum includes courses such as anatomy, medical physiology, clinical problem solving, clinical medicine and application, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, professionalism, evidence-based medicine, and interprofessional education. The first four semesters focus on didactic training, while the remaining semesters are dedicated to clinical rotations, providing comprehensive training for future physician assistants.
The program’s excellent resources, including dedicated laboratory and classroom space, access to a simulation center, and connections to the local healthcare community, will enhance your learning experience and prepare you for career advancement. The small student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention and opportunities for small group discussions. Graduates have a high first-time pass rate on the NCCPA certification exam and benefit from the expertise of recognized faculty who are experts in their field.
College of Health Professions
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Physician Assistant Studies
gvsu.edu/pas
200 Cook-DeVos
Center for Health Sciences
301 Michigan Street NE
(616) 331-5700
GVSU Traverse City Regional Center
gvsu.edu/tcprograms
1890
College Dr. James Beckett Building
Traverse City, MI 496864
Program Director
Jill Ellis, MPAS, PA-C
(616) 331-5571
Application Deadline
Applications are submitted through the CASPA system.The application deadline is September 1. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
Career Opportunities
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.
Top skills- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $103,685.35 | 10% |
| $111,904.14 | 25% |
| $131,975.58 | 50% |
| $139,483.87 | 75% |
| $161,329.21 | 90% |
117K
GVSU Alumni in Michigan
"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
- Niche.com
A "Best Graduate Program"
- U.S. News and World Report, 2025
Accreditation
The GVSU PAS program, including the Grand Rapids and Traverse City locations, is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA; arc-pa.org).
- ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Grand Valley State University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Grand Valley State University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
- Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
Pre-Physician Assistant Club
The Pre-Physician Assistant Club's goal is to create a supportive community for students aspiring to become physician assistants. Members learn about the admission process and the profession, ensuring they are well-prepared to enter a Physician Assistant graduate program.
Outstanding Facilities
The M.P.A.S. program has two locations: the Health Campus in Grand Rapids and The Northwest Michigan College James Beckett Building in Traverse City. Both facilities offer dedicated laboratory and classroom space, access to a simulation center, and connections to the local healthcare community.
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