Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program
Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program
Become a highly trained clinical provider by enrolling in the Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU). This pioneering program emphasizes a holistic approach, teaching students to use science and evidence-based research to provide patient-centered, integrative health care.
Apply Now or call (562) 947-8755 x457 or email [email protected]MSPA Program Mission
SCU’s Master of Science: Physician Assistant program will educate students to become skilled clinical providers for quality integrative healthcare teams. In today’s ever-changing healthcare system, our graduates will strive to provide premium healthcare to a diverse population and establish their place as innovative leaders in the delivery of healthcare.
MSPA Program Vision
The graduates of SCU’s MSPA program will be recognized as unique, highly-trained, competent, caring, and successful integrative healthcare providers.
MSPA Program Goals
- Ensure a learning community where academic excellence in our Program results in competent MSPA practitioners.
- Educate graduates that will be recognized as unique, highly trained, evidence-based, patient-focused, and successful integrative healthcare providers.
- Develop leaders to be thoughtful and compassionate individuals who promote healthy lifestyles and preventative medicine and influence their profession and the communities they serve.
- Provide a learning environment conducive and supportive of quality instruction, innovation, critical thinking, and effective communication that encourages life-long professional development.
Success of the MSPA Program Goals
The MSPA Program measures success of each of the goals and updates the information annually. The following describes the success of the MSPA Program Goals.
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Ensure a learning community where academic excellence in our Program results in competent MSPA practitioners.
- 100% of MSPA students successfully completed all didactic courses and clinical rotation.
- 100% of MSPA Students received Outstanding/Above Averages rating from their Clinical Preceptors during the clinical phase of the program.
- Graduate focus group results indicated: “Clinical experiences enhanced their medical knowledge.”
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Educate graduates that will be recognized as unique, highly trained, evidence-based, patient-focused, and successful integrative healthcare providers.
- Program has 100% graduation rate.
- 100% of MSPA students successfully completed an integrative clinical rotation with a health provider practicing integrative medicine.
- 100% of MSPA students successfully completed the Capstone Project which emphasizes evidence-based medicine.
- 100% of MSPA students successfully completed the History Taking course which focuses on patient-focused interviewing skills.
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Develop leaders to be thoughtful and compassionate individuals who promote healthy lifestyles and preventative medicine and influence their profession and the communities they serve.
- 100% of MSPA students successfully completed all clinical rotations.
- 100% of MSPA Students received Outstanding/Above Averages rating from their Clinical Preceptors regarding the evaluation question: “The student conducts respectful interviews, with empathy and sensitivity.”
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Provide a learning environment conducive and supportive of quality instruction, innovation, critical thinking, and effective communication that encourages life-long professional development.
- According to the Graduate student evaluation of program faculty: “Faculty/mentors (84.2%) demonstrated respectful interactions with students.”
- 100% of MSPA students successfully completed the History Taking course which trains students in effective communication skills.
- 100% of MSPA Students received Outstanding/Above Averages rating from their Clinical Preceptors regarding the evaluation question: “The student appropriately adapts communication style to the context of all patient interactions.”
Innovative, Integrative Health Care for a Better World
First-of-Its-Kind Program
SCU is the first university to offer a physician assistant program that fully immerses students in a multidisciplinary setting. MSPA students take basic science classes with other students pursuing a variety of healthcare careers — including future chiropractors and acupuncturists. This unique inter-professional environment empowers students to excel within integrative healthcare teams.
A Passion for Healing
SCU develops leaders to be thoughtful and compassionate practitioners who are qualified to provide high-quality care to a diverse population. By blending Eastern and Western medicine, the PA program helps students gain the essential skills and knowledge to treat the whole person.
A Fulfilling Career Path
In today’s ever-changing healthcare system, physician assistants are in high demand. With a strong educational foundation, you will be ready to launch a lifelong career with opportunities to practice in a variety of dynamic settings.
Why Physician Assistant Program
A Fast-Growing Field
The U.S. is facing a shortage of primary care providers, and physician assistants are needed to fill the void. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physician assistants is expected to grow 30 percent through 2024. Once you complete SCU’s MSPA program, you will be qualified for an in-demand career with plenty of job opportunities.
A Dynamic Profession
As a physician assistant, you will experience the rewards that come from helping and treating patients with a high level of care. From primary care to emergency medicine to orthopedics, PAs practice in a wide variety of medical settings and often transition from one specialty to another throughout their career.
Accreditation
ARC-PAThe ARC-PA has granted Accreditation – Provisional status to the Master in Science: Physician Assistant program sponsored by Southern California University of Health Sciences. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
WSCUCSCU is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
SCU Physician Assistant Webinar
Find out how SCU’s MSPA program teaches aspiring PA’s to become highly trained clinical providers. Learn all about this pioneering program and how SCU emphasizes a holistic approach, teaching students to use science and evidence-based research to provide patient-centered, integrative health care.
Learn More About Physician Assistants
Metrics for evaluating program goals can be accessed here
PANCE exam scores can be accessed here
View Student Consumer Information
Technical standards for Physician Assistants (PDF)
Keep Moving Forward
What are you waiting for? Apply today and start building a career in integrative medicine and health.
Apply Now or call (562) 947-8755 x457 or email [email protected]*Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2019-2020 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. For a complete listing of SCU fees, please refer to the academic catalog.
