Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Combine Knowledge and Experience with Compassionate Care

In this full-time, three-year program at our Boston campus, you will study medical and behavioral science in the classroom and our state-of-the-art simulation laboratory. Through collaborative exercises and clinical rotations, you will develop the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality medical care in a variety of settings. You also will have the opportunity to explore multiple areas of special interest such as emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. Note that this degree program (Master of Physician Assistant Studies – Boston) does not offer advanced placement.

Your Three-Year Journey

Learn from the profession’s top educators and practitioners in contemporary patient-assessment laboratories and in some of the nation’s finest healthcare institutions.

First-Year Experience

build a strong foundation in key topics such as human physiology/pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, and gross anatomy
learn the essentials of genetics, psychiatry, electrocardiography, and diagnostics
gain basic knowledge in evidence-based medicine, public health, and professional practice

Second-Year Experience

study and conduct lab work in patient examination techniques
develop deep knowledge of clinical medicine, patient assessment, and clinical patient management

Third-Year Experience

complete clinical rotations in domains including internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and women’s health
broaden your knowledge with elective rotations in areas of your choosing such as medical or surgical specialties, life-science research, PA education, and more—including options for an international rotation

Discover the MCPHS PA Program

Doing Well While Doing Good

Professional success and personal satisfaction go hand-in-hand for MCPHS physician assistant studies graduates.

MPAS student wins PA Foundation’s 2022 NCCPA Endowed Scholarship

In addition to receiving her award from the national Physician Associate Foundation, Tayla Willson, MPAS ’23 served as a panelist at an MCPHS Color of Care event focused on delivering better care to vulnerable communities. The event was coordinated by MPAS Associate Professor Nancy Hurwitz.

$122k average salary

Physician assistant compensation reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021.

In-Demand Career

Due to their broad contributions to the medical team, the demand for physician assistants is on the rise, with a projected 37% increase in job opportunities through 2026.

"MCPHS professors were instrumental in getting me involved in MAPA as a student representative—an experience that laid the groundwork for me ultimately to head the organization. Now, I’m able to help lead the fight for increased access to care as well as gaining greater recognition for the work PAs perform."

Duncan Daviau | MPAS ’17, President, Massachusetts Association of PAs (MAPA)

Additional Paths for Physician Assistant Studies

MCPHS offers multiple programs in physician assistant studies, including an accelerated master’s degree in Worcester or Manchester and an online doctoral-level degree.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies—Accelerated (Worcester, Manchester)

This year-round program builds on your undergraduate degree, integrating didactic classroom studies with real-world experiences in institutions throughout the North East and Mid-Atlantic regions—all in the fast-tracked time frame of 24 months.

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Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (Online)

Flexible, part-time, and online program.

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