Physician Assistant Studies Curriculum

The Master of Science (MS) in PA Studies is a 131-credit course of study that includes a didactic (classroom) phase followed by a clinical phase (rotations). The degree requirements and course description are listed in the academic catalog. The program is designed to be completed with full-time study for 27 months. Students are strongly encouraged not to work while enrolled in the school. Any student who chooses to work is required to attend all program related activities and will not be granted an excused absence for work obligations.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE). Successfully passing the PANCE is recognized as “certification” of the physician assistant in all 50 U.S. states.

The Rural & Underserved Service Track (TRUST)

Pacific University graduates are more than twice as likely to work in rural areas or medically underserved communities than their counterparts nationally. In support of its students and in the spirit of its mission to provide primary healthcare to underserved and global communities, the Pacific University School of PA Studies has developed the The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST).

During their first year, PA students will be invited to apply to be a member of TRUST. This program is designed to better prepare students who plan to work in rural and/or underserved and global communities, in Oregon, Hawai‘i and internationally. TRUST students will be selected through a separate admission process which will include an application to evaluate the applicant's commitment to practicing in an underserved community.

TRUST students' interest in underserved medicine will be nurtured through several structured opportunities during their PA education. During the didactic phase of the curriculum, the TRUST cohort will participate in additional small group sessions to better prepare them to work with a broad variety of medically underserved communities. In the clinical phase, TRUST students will complete a minimum of one to two 6-week rotations in a medically underserved community. Additionally, students with a focus on global health will have the option to complete an international rotation and priority access to our International rotation options. On these rotations, students live in and are encouraged to be actively involved in the community. TRUST students will also complete a graduate project which focuses on underserved communities. If you are interested in practicing in rural and medically underserved communities, we hope you will apply to be part of this exciting program at Pacific University.