Pacific’s MPAS Degree is the gateway to a rewarding PA career.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician collaboration. Our program offers a comprehensive curriculum, diverse interprofessional educational experiences, integration of innovative educational modalities, advanced technical skill instruction, and specialty elective tracks. Pacific PA alumni are poised for collaborative practice with physicians and other healthcare team members.

High PANCE pass rates

Elective clinical rotations and specialty tracks

Advanced clinical skills and procedure training

Start your path to PA practice at Pacific

The path to become a PA starts by attending and graduating from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant Program. The School of Health Science offers the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) to highly qualified applicants seeking to practice medicine as a Physician Assistant. Graduates from Pacific’s PA program go on to take the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certification Examination) and obtain state licensure (requirements vary by state). Join our growing alumni network who practice in 21 states nationally. Be sure to see our alumni spotlight to see and hear for yourself what makes University of the Pacific a great place to study medicine.

PA white coat ceremony students
More elective rotations, more clinical possibilities
Why choose PA Studies at Pacific?

The program’s clinical curriculum includes three elective rotations offering a variety of educational opportunities. Pathway tracks allow students to focus experiences to a single specialty. Remote electives facilitate knowledge of telemedicine and PA practice outside of the clinic. Varied electives strengthen knowledge deficiencies and allow for specialty exploration.

Medical Spanish

According to US Census data (2015), over 25% of Californians speak Spanish and nearly half of the spanish-speaking population speak little to no English. Education in medical spanish meets a need in our communities. Medical Spanish is a required curriculum component integrated into the clinical skills course series. Skill reinforcement occurs through standardized patient interactions and rural clinical rotation placements. 

High-tech learning

  • Hi-fidelity simulation provide ‘real world’ preparation
  • Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) integration from anatomy through diagnostic imaging
  • Hands-on skills trainers develop basic and advanced skills proficiency in low and high stakes environments

Preparation starts on day one

  • Curriculum based on the PANCE topic blueprint
  • Exam question format and time allotted (1min/question) equates to PANCE 
  • PANCE preparatory courses provided
  • Nationally standardized assessment usage
  • Licensure process guidance
  • Resume writing and interview skills training
     

Sacramento Campus Tour

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Alumni Spotlight
Pacific PA grad on frontlines of pandemic fight

Tatiana Mudrenko ’19, cross-trained for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly lost her father to the virus.

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Tatiana Mudrenko
Take the next step

We take a hands on approach with our students. This means we want to get to know you throughout your discovery and application process. Help us connect with you by taking the next step. 

Non-Discrimination Disclosure

The Program is an equal opportunity institution of higher learning and is firmly committed to nondiscrimination in its delivery of educational services and employment practices. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, such decisions will be made irrespective of the individual's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any other status protected by law. For further information, please see the University’s policy.

Contact Us

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Physician Assistant
916.739.7365 paprogram@pacific.edu

3200 Fifth Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95817