The program is a 27-month program that will award a Master of Science of Physician Assistant Studies degree (MSPAS) upon program completion. There is a 15-month didactic phase consisting primarily of traditional lectures as well as web-based interactive learning, student laboratories, and seminars; and a 12-month clinical phase, which consists of patient care experiences that are primarily in-person at clinical practices in various disciplines of medicine.
The supervised clinical rotation schedule begins prior to the start date of the academic fall semester and ends eight weeks into the summer semester. Each rotation lasts four weeks. Students meet once every four weeks, at the end of the clinical practicum rotation, for the post-rotation Professional Development Seminar. There are two elective rotation choices (see below).
Training and development in research methodology and evidence-based practice takes place throughout the curriculum.