Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) prepares graduates for work as Physician Assistants. In a two-year program, students learn to elicit a comprehensive history and perform routine physical examinations, including problem-oriented examinations when an interval evaluation is needed. They also select, perform, and/or interpret routine patient laboratory and diagnostic studies, identify patient problems, organize and integrate data, and present an oral case.

The MSPAS program also focuses on patient management and communication. Graduates can implement management plans, instruct and counsel patients on physical and mental health topics such as diet, health maintenance, therapy, normal growth and development, family planning, referrals, and follow-up services. Students are trained to provide life support and emergency evaluation/care in the absence of a physician or other appropriate health professionals and to initiate and follow up on appropriate referrals to specialists.

Admission is competitive.

• Applicants must complete course prerequisites and application requirements by the time needed to apply for their preferred year of entry.
• International students do not require a separate application or fee.
• A CASPA application must be submitted and deemed complete on or before the November 1 deadline.
• All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution (exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis) or its equivalent abroad.
• Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (a grade of “C-” or lower is not acceptable).
• Prerequisites must be completed by the spring term prior to matriculation.
• Prerequisites will not be satisfied by advanced-placement, transfer of credit, pass/no credit, CLEP or credit for experiential learning. Due to COVID-19, pass will be accepted for courses completed in 2020 (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms). Pass will be calculated as a “B” when calculating GPAs.
• All coursework from non-US institutions must be submitted to World Education Services for a course-by-course evaluation.
• No more than one science and one non-science prerequisite course may be in progress after December 31 of the year prior to when you plan to enter WesternU (excluding Anatomy and Physiology).
• Introductory-level courses in the sciences are not accepted (e.g., courses taken in the sciences for non-science majors).
• You must list all college coursework (including foreign coursework) on your CASPA application.
• A baccalaureate degree is required for admission. Preference may be given to candidates who completed the majority of their upper division coursework at the institution where the baccalaureate degree was granted.

Prerequisite courses required:

• All Prerequisites: must appear in the Prerequisite Database as approved.
• Required: 6 semester or 8 quarter units of College English & English Composition.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses will not satisfy this prerequisite.
• College English & English Composition must be taken from the English Department. If the school does not have an English Department, courses may be accepted from the Humanities or Literature Departments.
• Literature courses may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• Required: 3 semester or 4 quarter units: College Algebra. Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Geometry, or Trigono.