Physician Assistant Studies

Major – College of Arts & Sciences – Department of Natural and Health Sciences

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Health care is one of the fastest growing fields in the country and Physician Assistants is one of the fastest growing professions in the health care field. With a looming shortage of primary care physicians, now is the time to live your dream of helping others—as a physician assistant.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants defines physician assistants “as health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision.”

Physician assistants (PAs) are often the first health care provider to examine patients. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities Physician Assistants provide patients with services ranging from primary care medicine to specialized surgical care.

As a member of a health care team, the PA can be found taking medical histories, examining and treating patients, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and x-rays, and making diagnoses. Minor injuries—surturing, splinting and casting—may be part of your day’s work. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients and order or carry out therapy. In all states as well as the District of Columbia, Physician Assistants may prescribe some medications. A PA may be responsible for managerial duties, such as ordering medical supplies or equipment and supervising technicians and assistants. Technology, such as Telemedicine, provides unique opportunities for Physician Assistants and their patients.

PAs can be found in physicians’ offices or clinics (56%), hospitals (24%), nursing homes, prisons, home health care agencies, government, as well as academia.

Highest quality professionals

The University of St. Francis works closely with each PA student to ensure that he/she will become a competent, compassionate and comprehensive health care provider. Our focus is on providing care for the medically underserved. Many of our graduates are providing service in medically underserved areas of our region. Here, the PAs serve as primary providers, conferring with their supervising physicians and other medical professionals as needed and required by law.

We emphasize health maintenance, disease prevention and lifelong learning for our students and their patients.

When you graduate from the University of St. Francis as a physician assistant, you will appreciate the dignity of the individual, and be a leader in advocating for quality of life for both individuals and the community as a whole. You will be a physician assistant ready to deliver the highest quality of health care services.

USF’s program

The University of St. Francis offers its master of science in Physician Assistant Studies program in the land of enchantment—New Mexico—within the city of Albuquerque that offers a rich diversity of cultures, exciting attractions and a magical landscape.

The Physician Assistant program at USF’s Albuquerque Campus is a full-time, 27-month program. The program consists of 15 months of didactic classroom basic medical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, clinical preparatory sciences and professional practice issues. This is followed by 12 continuous months of supervised clinical learning experiences. Students must complete the entire 27-month program at the University of St. Francis. Upon successful completion of the entire program of study, the student will be awarded a Master of Science degree.

Program Mission, Goals, and Objectives

NCCPA PANCE Results

After graduation, students are eligible to take the national PA board exam called PANCE which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Our five-year average first-taker pass rate is 93 percent and our 5 year aggregate pass rate is 97 percent.

The first-time test taker pass rates are as follows:

YEAR

USF

NATIONAL FIRST
PASS RATE

AGGREGATE
PASS RATE

2006

95%

92%

100%

2007

81%

93%

96%

2008

93%

94%

100%

2009

83%

92%

100%

2010

92%

94%

89%

Accreditation

The University of St. Francis is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Physician Assistant program is further accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

The Physician Assistant Studies Program is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, the exclusive national organization representing educational programs for physician assistants.

Community Service and Leadership

The University of St. Francis Physician Assistance program is deeply rooted in the university’s mission and values. PA faculty and students are very involved in the health and well-being of the community. Here are just a few of their projects:

  • Volunteer at Joy Junction Homeless Shelter
  • Roadrunner Food Bank (food drive and volunteering at center)
  • American Cancer Society – Breast Cancer Walk
  • Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk
  • Sports physicals for various schools
  • Healthcare for the Homeless collection
  • Haiti relief collection
  • Run for the Zoo
  • Wilson Middle School Career Exploration Program
  • Supporting literacy by reading to kindergarten and 1st graders at Carlos Elementary School
  • Big Brother-Big Sisters: Kickball for kids
  • National Trails Day Event – trail maintenance in Sandias
  • American Academy of Physician Assistants Conference
  • Physician Assistant Week Celebrations