Full-Time Accredited Program
The University of Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP) is accredited by ARC-PA, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. UPAP is a full-time program that begins each summer semester (early May) and spans 27 months over seven continuous semesters. Part-time or interrupted attendance is not an option, and no online classes are offered.
Didactic and Clinical Training
The didactic phase of the program takes place over four (4) semesters of graduate level academic coursework and includes clinical experiences once weekly beginning at mid-year. The clinical phase takes place during the second year and includes full-time clinical rotations under the direct supervision of a preceptor; students are not required to supply their own clinical sites or preceptors. Additionally, all students must produce and present a master's project and pass a summative examination. Graduates of the Utah Physician Assistant Program earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree (MPAS).
Master's Project
To fulfill the graduate school required portion of the Masters in Physician Assistant studies each student will complete a student led community-engagement research project. Students will work in a small group with their faculty member and community partner to implement the research project. The project will include a community needs assessment, development of a research question, research proposal, intervention, final paper and poster. A poster presentation session will be held at the University to allow for grading and dissemination of knowledge.