Apr 03, 2025  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2021-2022 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.

Degree 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)

Spring 1st Year (21)

Summer 1 (20)

Fall 1 (21)

Clinical Courses (46 Credits)

CLINICAL ROTATIONS

Spring 2nd Year (12)

Summer 2 (12)

Fall 2 (12)

Spring 3rd Year (10)

Program Requirements

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

Didactic to Clinical Phase. The Progression, Promotion and Professionalism (PPP) committee will recommend promotion from didactic to the clinical phase based on the following requirements:

  • Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, with a “C” or better in each course.
  • Demonstrated adherence to the University and Program policies, Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the PA Profession and K-State Student Code of Conduct policy.*
  • Participated in all program required events (unless otherwise excused by the appropriate director).
  • Completed HIPAA and blood borne pathogen training.
  • Provided documentation of health insurance.
  • Met all the qualifications for credentialing in the clinical phase to include all required immunizations, TB skin test, passed urine drug screen, passed criminal background/sex offender check, BLS, and ACLS certification. 
  • Signed the Health Information Release form, allowing the K-State Physician Assistant Program to maintain and release the following information to clinical rotation sites:  immunizations, TB screening status, background check, and BLS/ACLS certification.

Clinical to Graduation. The PPP committee will recommend promotion from the clinical phase of training to graduation based on the following requirements:

  • Received a “B” or better in every clinical course, and the Summative*. 
  • Completed all 108 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
  • Demonstrated adherence to K-State University and PA program policies, the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the PA Profession and K-State Student Code of Conduct policy.*
  • Participated in program-required events.
  • Met all K-State graduation requirements.
  • Successfully completed the Summative course (PAS 895), by meeting all academic and professional standards.
  • Met the K-State PA program Technical Standards.
  • *In the event that the student fails a rotation, he/she will be allowed to progress to the Summative (PAS 895), but must return the following semester to retake the failed rotation, resulting in a delay in graduation. Maximum rotation retakes are set at two. 

Notes: 

  1. Students will refer to the Physician Assistant website at https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/pa/, or the Didactic and Clinical Manuals for more details on program policies and procedures. 
  2. The ability to meet the academic and technical standards for physician assistant students is required https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/pa/admission/.
  3. Refer to the PA program’s website for further information https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/pa/.
  4. PA program semesters do not follow the standard KSU schedule.

Total Credit Hours Required: 108