The Master of Physician Associate (MPA) degree at WSU is a rigorous 26-month, 93 credit hour, graduate program that prepares students to function as generalist PAs, who possess a wide array of knowledge in primary care. Students in this program are required to demonstrate a range of physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities and skills necessary to perform successfully in various clinical situations.

During the course of this program, students are trained and educated to serve where healthcare need is greatest; this includes underserved populations, in rural areas, and with minorities and older adults.

Key Program Features

  • Graduate in just 26 months from an accredited and affordable program. Our Program tuition and fees including out-of-state compares favorably with programs across the nation. Students begin clinical rotations in just 14 months and graduate in 26 months. A lock-step curriculum means you start and graduate with the same team of students.
  • Excellent NCCPA pass rate. Our graduates have exceeded the national pass rate on the PANCE for decades. They also consistently perform above the national average on other standardized measures of medical knowledge such as PACKRAT and End-of-Rotation Exams. 
  • A focus on rural, underserved, and diverse populations. We have long-standing affiliations with preceptors across Kansas. Learning medicine in rural practice sites where referral to specialists is more difficulty, allows our students to see it all and really get to know their patients and the communities in which they live. Every WSU PA student completes at least 2 rotations in rural/underserved areas.  Our graduates practice in rural and underserved communities at nearly 3 times the national rate.  Located in Kansas' largest urban area, WSU PA students also complete rotations with premier healthcare providers and health systems.
  • Expand your research potential. Our students aren't just consumers of medical literature, they become contributors to the body of medical literature. Since 2006, our students have co-authored with faculty over 50 journal articles and book chapters and have presented over 50 scientific posters, arguably one of the strongest student publication records in the nation.
  • Service Learning Leaders. Excellent healthcare involves understanding and meeting the needs of the whole patient. Every WSU PA student performs volunteer community service.

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Program FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About the Program
Question Answer
Program Entry Point Summer
Program Length 26-months; Didactic Year (14 months) and Clinical Year (12 months with 9 clinical rotations)
Study Plan Options Full-time, lock step, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CASPA Application Deadline September 1st
Class Size 48
Application Ratio Annually, approximately 500 qualified applicants; 148 candidate interviews; and 48 seats offered
Minimum GPA to Apply 3.00 overall and a science GPA of 3.00
Average GPA of Applicants 3.50
Average GPA of Accepted Students 3.70
Average Age Range of Students 26-40 years old
Examinations

GRE (Graduate Record Examination): Not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Required for applicants whose native (first) language is not English. Submit TOEFL scores to CASPA. Scores must be received by CASPA before the application is submitted.

Degrees Required

Bachelor’s degree in any field plus completion of program prerequisites

Professional Certification(s)
and License(s) Needed to Practice

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Advanced Standing/Placement Program requirements will not be waived for any reason. Likewise, experiential credit toward prerequisites or advanced standing will not be granted. Transfer credit policies can be found in the latest edition of the WSU Graduate Catalog.

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