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Graduate Programs Master in Physician Assistant Studies

Department of Physician Assistant Studies College of Health Professions

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Graduate Programs - Related Links

  • Master in Physician Assistant Studies
  • Master in Physician Assistant Studies Bridge Program
    • Degree Plan (MPAS-BP)
    • Curriculum (MPAS-BP)

Contact Us

Physician Assistant Department
E-mail: pad@utrgv.edu

Admissions Coordinator
Keith Joseph
E-mail: keith.joseph@utrgv.edu 

Amanda Vargas
Administrative Assistant I
Phone: 956-665-5047
E-mail: amanda.vargas@utrgv.edu

Bridge Program Coordinator
Lisa Kuhn
Email: bridge@utrgv.edu

Physician Assistant Career Track Early Assurance Program (PACT)
Email: pact@utrgv.edu

Physician Assistant Studies
Haley Zamarripa
Administrative Assistant II
EHABE 2.144
Email: haley.zamarripa01@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-2298
Phone Alt: 956-665-7049
Fax: 956-665-2438

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Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Degree Plan

The Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) prepares graduates with intelligence, sound judgment, intellectual honesty, appropriate interpersonal skills, and critical thinking skills. The graduate will be capable of medical patient assessment and developing a plan of action for addressing health concerns. The professional curriculum for PA education includes basic medical, behavioral, and social sciences, introduction to clinical medicine and, supervised clinical practice, and health policy and professional practice issues.


Curriculum

The Cohort System

Opening a new chapter in life can be intimidating, especially if admitted to a physician assistant program. This is why a support system is crucial. Many students rely on family to get them through, but at UTRGV, we give students even more. With our cohort system, students work and connect with people who are sharing an experience similar to theirs. Together, students learn the valuable skills needed to succeed in the physician assistant program and in the profession. A cohort is a group of students who work through the program together, taking the same courses and working on the same curriculum. Gone are the anonymous lecture halls where fellow students and professors do not know each other. Instead, students learn in a comfortable environment where student success is a priority to the program faculty. As students learn, they gain from the expertise of their student colleagues and build a network of people who share their commitment to becoming and succeeding as physician assistants.

Because the curriculum is designed with the cohort system in mind, students cannot choose which courses they take from semester to semester. All students follow the same path to success. Successful completion of all didactic coursework is required for progression to the clinical year phase of training. Likewise, successful completion of all clinical coursework is required for progression to the Master's capstone phase of training.

Master's Degree curriculum

Course Descriptions

Curriculum Totals SCH*

Didactic Year (First Year)
Clinical Year (Second Year) 
Master's Capstone (Final Semester)

48
36
16
Total Master's Curriculum
*SCH = Semester Credit Hours
100
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