Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Physician Assistant (MSPAS)



Overview of the MSPAS Program

Kansas State University physician assistant program leads to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree. The program follows the traditional medical model of training, providing in-depth analysis of disease processes, diagnosis and treatment, and prepares students to serve as primary health care providers who practice medicine with physician supervision. 

The 27-month physician assistant program will admit 44 students once a year, and is designed to prepare graduates to provide medical care as part of an interprofessional health care team.  The curriculum consists of three semesters of classroom training (didactic), followed by four semesters of clinical rotations (clinical). All students enter as a single cohort in the spring semester, complete seven continuous full-time semesters, and graduate in May with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree.

Curriculum Requirements

The MSPAS requires 108 graduate credit hours, 62 from didactic, and 46 from the clinical year.  The program does not offer advanced placement.  No credit is granted for prior work experience in the healthcare field.  Furthermore, no transfer credits are accepted. The following list of courses are the core requirements of the program. 

Didactic Courses (62 Credits)


Clinical Courses (46 Credits)


CLINICAL ROTATIONS

Program Requirements


* Course varies, and may occur in any clinical year semester

 

Progression Requirements:

The didactic year consists of courses numbered 700-799.  For a student to progress to the clinical year, the following requirements must be met:

  • Receive a B or better in every 700 level course.
  • Provide documentation of immunizations, annual TB screening and influenza vaccination.
  • Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.
  • Pass a drug screening and criminal background check.
  • Complete all competency skills, e.g., Basic life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
  • Verify the ability to meet the technical standards required to be a physician assistant.
  • Continued enrollment in a health insurance program.

 

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete all 108 graduate credit hours with a cumulative GPA of a minimum of 3.0.
  • Settle all financial accounts with the university.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in all PA competencies.
  • Participate in community outreach projects.
  • Obtain professional memberships in AAPA and KSPA.
  • Receive PRD committee recommendation to graduate, as well as the recommendation of the Dean of the Graduate School.
     

Notes: 

  1. Students will refer to the Physician Assistant website at (Physician Assistant), or the Didactic and Clinical Handbooks for more details on program policies and procedures. 
  2. The ability to meet the academic and technical standards for physician assistant students is required (Physician Assistant Admissions).
  3. Refer to the PA program’s website for further information (Physician Assistant)
  4. PA program semesters do not follow the standard KSU schedule.

Total Credit Hours Required: 108