Curriculum
Program Information
Mission
To prepare highly competent physician assistants who are trained to promote inclusive healthcare and advance health equity while effectively caring for a diverse population; lead and advance the profession; and provide high-quality, patient-centered healthcare in all communities and settings.
Physician Assistants (PAs) are trained in the medical model, similar to how physicians are trained in medical school. Students entering the Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program at GVSU bring diverse educational and health-related experiences. The curriculum at GVSU enables all students to build on their prior knowledge and become highly competent physician assistants upon graduation.
The PAS program curriculum includes four semesters of didactic coursework followed by three semesters of clinical training. The didactic courses include human anatomy, clinical applications, clinical medicine, clinical physiology and pathophysiology, clinical problem-solving, practical therapeutics, PA professional issues, evidence-based medicine, and hospital community experiences.
Course Schedule
PAs receive 16 months of didactic training followed by 12 months of clinical training (clinical rotations) at Grand Valley State University.
PAS Class of 2026 Curriculum Tables
Course Information
Course Catalog (Class of 2028)
Note: archived course catalogs are available for the Classes of 2026 and 2027. Course catalogs will be available for the Class of 2029 in Fall 2027.
Please refer to the PAS Program Student Policy for Awarding the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree for further details regarding program and degree requirements.