The Carroll University MSPAS Program is 24-months in length and requires full time attendance. The program will admit 28 students in May 2021.  The first 12 months is didactic training with an emphasis in cultural competency as it relates to patient care. Students have eight clinical rotations in the second year which may include an international clinical rotation. The program is facilitated at Carroll University's Center for Graduate Studies in Waukesha, WI.

The Mission of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is to educate physician assistants to provide comprehensive quality health care to all, respectful of patient/client values, committed to ethical principles and grounded in evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning. Graduates will contribute to the profession and communities and be prepared to practice medicine in a variety of primary care settings under the supervision of physicians. Graduates will also be prepared to provide service to medically under served communities and diverse patient populations.

To achieve its mission, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program has three goals:

1.  To develop skilled primary care physician assistants who demonstrate the medical knowledge, skills, and abilities            to provide quality patient care for entry level practice as a PA
2.  To develop PAs with a high level of professionalism and interpersonal communication skills
3.  To provide all students with practicum medical experiences in under served areas or with under served                            populations

The curriculum includes core knowledge about the established and evolving biomedical, clinical preparatory, behavioral and social sciences; informational literacy; health policy and professional practice; and the application of this knowledge to patient care through supervised clinical practice and practicums. The curriculum is of sufficient breadth and depth to prepare students for clinical practice of medicine and assist students in becoming critical thinkers who can apply the concepts of medical decision-making and problem solving. Building on Carroll University’s health sciences area commitment to provide service to culturally diverse populations, there is emphasis on primary care, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary care.

The philosophy of the curriculum incorporates both traditional and case-based learning concepts and culminates with a true problem-based learning experience (Capstone). A systems-based curriculum model integrates knowledge, provision of services and reflection. Common themes across the curriculum include ethical inquiry and practice, professionalism, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making as incorporated into the clinical practice and clinical research models, the presentation of content across the lifespan, and exploration of the effects of gender, culture and cognitive level on content. There is collaborative teaching across courses with planned redundancy of subject matter. Constant reinforcement of content with clinical experiences occurs through observations of, and exposure to, client/patients in academic courses, service-learning and clinical rotations. The students learn in an interdisciplinary heath care and graduate environment that promotes interdisciplinary clinical practice and lifelong learning. Ongoing self, student, peer, program and professional assessment occur to ensure that the program is reflective of optimal practice.

The PA program was granted continuing accreditation in 2013 from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is the accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public and PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs within the territorial United States to ensure their compliance with those standards. www.arc-pa.org

Accreditation-continued status remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.

Visit the ARC-PA website for more information on the accreditation status of the program.

Required Application Materials:

1. Verified CASPA application 
2. Three letters of reference, preferably from a college instructor, a supervisor from a work or volunteer clinical experience, and a health care professional such as PA, NP, MD or DO. 
3. Official GRE Scores sent to CASPA - ETS code #0409. 
4. Carroll University Supplemental $50.00 Fee

Minimum Requirements:

GPA  
CASPA calculated cumulative and science GPA of 3.0

Patient Care Experience
A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience is required. Experience as a medical scribe, a student in training or in observation will not be accepted as patient care experience.

Knowledge of the PA profession
It is important that candidates fully understand the role of a physician assistant. Although this understanding can be obtained in many ways, time spent shadowing is highly regarded.

Baccalaureate Degree
Must be awarded from an accredited institution or an equivalent institution. Degree must be completed prior to matriculation.

On Campus Interview Interviews are conducted in September, October and November.  Offers can begin any time after interviews are completed.   

A pooled admissions process is utilized.

Prerequisite Courses

Please see below for the specific courses required under each discipline. Completion of all prerequisite courses with a C or better is required prior to matriculation. Courses in Kinesiology, exercise science or nutrition will not satisfy prerequisite coursework. It is advised that no more than two prerequisite course be pending at the time of application.

Five Semesters Biological Science - Must include Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology.  Anatomy and Physiology coursework must be completed within 5 years of matriculation.

Suggested biological science electives courses:  General Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Immunology, Endocrinology or other upper division biological science related to medicine.

Additional biological science coursework is recommended.

Four Semesters Chemistry - Suggested courses:  General Chemistry I and II, Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry

Two Semesters Psychology - Suggested courses:  General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Lifespan Psychology, Abnormal Psychology

One Semester Statistics - Any Discipline

Other courses highly recommended for success in PA education:  

Pathophysiology, Medical Terminology, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Foreign Language

Upper division courses in biological science and chemistry highly recommended.

Competitive applicants possess extremely strong academic records, as well as a high level of work and life experience, community involvement, and volunteerism.  Completion of minimum requirements, required coursework, and strength of the academic record, required essays and letters of recommendation are all considered in the admissions process.  Successful applicants are those who appear to be the most highly qualified to fulfill our program’s mission in terms of intellectual growth and achievement, character, motivation, and maturity.