Physician Assistant Studies (MS)

Program Availability

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is a traditional, on-campus program offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. The program is open to eligible U.S. and international applicants. Admission is competitive.

Why Earn a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Indiana State?

If you are a caring, compassionate person who wants to serve your community as a primary care provider as part of a Physician/PA team, our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is designed for you.

Prepare for Professional Success

Indiana State’s Master of Science in Physician Assistance Studies is a full-time program that can be completed over seven consecutive semesters beginning every January. The program is divided into two phases: a 15-month Didactic Phase followed by a 12-month Clinical Phase. Clinical sites are located throughout Indiana, with the option of more distant sites upon approval.

The program is designed with evidence-based medicine and culturally sensitive provision of care as guiding principles. Our main objective is to develop students into scholarly clinicians who value interprofessional practice. To accomplish this, you will have opportunities for interprofessional study with students in the University’s Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training programs, and with medical students at the Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute.

Other opportunities include the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative (RHIC) Simulation Center, which enables students in more than 30 health professions to learn in realistic, simulated environments and work with interprofessional teams.

As a graduate, you will be prepared and eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Successful completion of this exam is required in all states to obtain licensure. The employment rate for our graduates has been 100% for the past two years.

Clinical Education

Our Physician Assistant program includes a 12-month clinical phase during which you will complete 4-week clinical rotations in the disciplines of family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, geriatrics, and two elective rotations.

During this clinical year, you will accomplish clinical objectives in order to complete the degree program and be prepared for the national certifying examination, which is a prerequisite to obtaining licensure.

Veteran Outreach

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, a quarter of veterans returning from active duty return to a rural area, which makes them good candidates to train as PAs within rural communities. Indiana State University is a cost-effective option for military medics, corpsmen, nurses, and other professionals to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant.

If you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, a reservist, or on active duty, you will receive 5 points toward your admission score in our program’s CASPA application rubric.

Visit ISU Physician Assistant Veteran Outreach.

Costs and Aid

Students in the Physician Assistant program may be eligible for the Sycamore Physician Assistant Rural Care (SPARC) Scholarship. In addition, students may be eligible for some types of financial aid. For information on financial aid and tuition, visit Costs & Aid.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

As a student in the Physician Assistant program, you will benefit from small classes taught by dedicated faculty mentors with diverse expertise and years of practical clinical experience. Our staff and faculty are dedicated to your educational success, professional development, and intellectual growth.

What You’ll Learn in the Physician Assistant Studies Program

As a graduate of the Physician Assistant Studies Program, you will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Apply the principles of evidence-based medicine and critical thinking in clinical decision-making.
• Practice compassionate primary care medicine.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families.
• Partner with collaborative physicians and other professional colleagues.
• Utilize practice- and system-based analysis to ensure patient safety.
• Practice in a cost-effective and socially responsible manner.
• Commit to high ethical standards responsive to the needs of the profession, the individual, and society.

View the full curriculum

Admission Requirements and Instructions

The Physician Assistant program typically operates on a rolling admissions model. Each admission cycle closes on March 1.

For details and instructions, visit Admission Criteria and Application and PA Interview Process.

Career Possibilities for Physician Assistant Studies Graduates

Physician assistants work in a wide range of settings in the medical world. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients, working closely with other healthcare professionals as a team. PAs care for patients in every specialty, from primary care to pediatrics through geriatrics and palliative care.

Because the need is so great, the career outlook is strong and salaries are excellent. In fact, U.S. News & World Report lists physician assistant as the #2 "best job" in health care and #4 overall.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 27% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

For information on the Physician Assistant Studies MS program’s accreditation status with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), visit Physician Assistant Program Information.