What is a physician assistant?
Physician assistants are health care professionals trained in the medical model at nationally accredited educational programs. For more information, please visit our About the Profession page.
How long is the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program?
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is a continuous, 28-month, full-time professional program that starts in mid-May and concludes just over two years later at the end of August. New students are accepted once a year.
How many students are in each cohort of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program?
The class capacity for each year in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is 40 students.
Can I work while attending the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program?
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is an intensive, full-time program with substantial academic demands. It should be considered a full-time job. Therefore, employment, even part-time, is not feasible or permitted during the didactic or clinical phases of the program.
What is the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program’s application deadline for admission applications?
For current application deadlines for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, please refer to our How to Apply page.
Is a supplemental application required when applying to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program?
When applying to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, applicants must complete both the online admission application to the UAMS College of Health Professions through Workday and the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants application. Both applications must be submitted by the deadline listed on our How to Apply page.
Does the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program accept out-of-state applicants?
During admission reviews for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, first consideration may be given to Arkansas residents. However, highly qualified applicants from out-of-state are strongly encouraged to apply and can successfully compete for admission. The program is committed to admitting and graduating qualified candidates from diverse groups.
What prerequisites are required for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program?
To view the prerequisite courses required for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, please refer to our Admissions Requirements page.
Do I have to complete every prerequisite course before applying for admission to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program?
Candidates for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program may be interviewed even if they have outstanding prerequisite courses or direct patient care hours.
Applicants can be contingently accepted with up to two outstanding prerequisite courses. However, they cannot be officially accepted into the program until they have completed all outstanding prerequisites and obtained 500 hours of direct patient care.
Can I apply to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program with a degree from a foreign university?
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, completed prior to matriculation, from an institutionally accredited institution in the United States. Transcripts from institutions outside the United States are not accepted, even after the use of an evaluation service.
Why does the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program require anatomy, physiology and microbiology to be taken in the last seven years?
The UAMS Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program mandates specific prerequisite courses for all applicants to ensure a consistent foundational background. To meet this requirement, anatomy, physiology and microbiology courses must have been completed within seven years of matriculation into the program. This stipulation ensures that applicants’ knowledge is up-to-date.
The program features an intense and condensed curriculum, expecting students to enter with a solid foundational background to ensure success and reduce attrition. While relevant work experience is beneficial, it does not substitute for the required coursework.
What is direct patient care and how many hours are required?
Direct patient care involves actively working in a medical setting with patients and directly influencing their care. Example activities include eliciting histories, taking vital signs, drawing blood, performing procedures, and more.
The UAMS Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program requires applicants to complete direct patient care hours, which involve independently providing medical care to patients. This requirement ensures that admitted students have firsthand clinical experience in delivering care to and engaging with patients, which is crucial preparation for physician assistant practice.
While shadowing a physician assistant or physician is highly recommended to gain a better understanding of the medical profession, it does not count toward direct patient care.
Up to 250 hours of scribing or working as a pharmacy technician can be accepted as direct patient care. The remaining 250 hours must come from other forms of direct patient care.
Hours completed as a student or intern in a supervised training capacity do not qualify as direct patient care.
Does the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program require letters of recommendation?
Three letters of recommendation are required for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program application — one from each of the following individuals:
- A physician or physician assistant
- A supervisor (paid or unpaid)
- A university or college professor, or another physician or physician assistant
How much does the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program cost?
Please go to our Cost of Program page to find the current estimated cost of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
Linda Haubenstein will be happy to answer any questions you may still have about the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program. Linda can be reached directly at LGHaubenstein@UAMS.edu or 501-686-6115.