PA Program Curriculum - MPAS Degree

We offer a Two-year, full-time campus-based program and a Three-year distance education track consisting of didactic and clinical education. For campus-based students instruction occurs primarily in the classroom during the first twelve months with some clinical learning experiences. Distance-based students receive instruction on a part-time basis over twenty-four months of didactic study and twelve months of clinical instruction in the student's home community through distance modalities.

The clinical component for both campus and distance-based students consists of approximately twelve months of full-time coursework and community-based clinical instruction. Clinical instruction takes place during five 2-month rotations/preceptorships, one each in surgery, internal medicine, family medicine and emergency medicine and one 8-week or two 4-week rotations in elective disciplines. One of the preceptorships must include a minimum four week experience in a medically underserved or culturally diverse area.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program Curruculum

The MPAS program is designed to produce a generalist practitioner with the capacity for specialty practice. The curriculum is built upon the foundation of competency-based training and practice. The PA profession defines the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes required for physician assistants.

The PA profession ensures that programs provide educational experiences for physician assistants to acquire and demonstrate these competencies in the areas of medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. The MPAS program and curriculum will integrate these competencies throughout the students' physician assistant training to provide a strong foundation for the future.

The curriculum will be built upon the foundation of scientific inquiry, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, cultural competency, and integrative learning. Principles of lifelong learning and professionalism will foster growth and enhance graduates in meeting the future needs of patients and the medical profession.

MPAS Program Highlights

• The graduate will receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies certificate of completion.
• The program mission statement and the curriculum (especially the clinical curriculum) are geared to produce primary care graduates, but opportunities abound for specialty practice as well. It is anticipated that opportunity will only increase with degree transition, particularly in view of the projected needs locally, regionally, and nationally.
• The didactic year curriculum will add new, enhanced components, particularly related to advancing technology, utilization of evidence-based medicine, collaborative, competency-based training, and scholarly activity.

According to the PA Program Advanced Placement Policy, no advanced placement will be granted for matriculating students and all PA professional coursework must be completed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Transfer students are not accepted into the program with advanced placement, but must follow the standard admissions processes and must complete all professional program coursework at UW-Madison.

Students enrolled in the professional program should plan for a rigorous curriculum with significant time commitments. Employment while enrolled in the professional program is strongly discouraged. No PA student is required nor are they eligible for employment in the PA Program.

• View our PA Program Graduate Competencies and Goals