Mar 28, 2024  
Catalog 2023-24 
    
Catalog 2023-24 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physician Assistant, M.S.


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At its September 2021 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the California State University, Monterey Bay Physician Assistant Program sponsored by California State University, Monterey Bay on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2023. For further information, go to the program website at csumb.edu/mspa.

The MSPA program at CSUMB is a full-time, 28-month, year-round graduate program, consisting of 83 credit hours completed over 7 semesters. MSPA courses have a different fee structure and academic calendar; please contact Extended Education for more information. The curriculum is separated into didactic, clinical, and hybrid semesters. The curriculum structure is specially designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be competent PAs upon completion of the program.

Student are required to participate in all program activities, comply with all program and university policies, and demonstrate professional behavior as defined in the MSPA Student Handbook. Students are assessed through written examinations and performance evaluations throughout the duration of the program. Students must pass each component of the curriculum to make satisfactory progress in the program.

Required Courses


Learning Outcomes


Medical Knowledge

MSPA students will demonstrate an investigative and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

MSPA students will demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system.

Patient Care

MSPA students will demonstrate care that is effective, safe, high quality, and equitable.

Professionalism

MSPA students will demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

MSPA students will be able to assess, evaluate, and improve their patient care practices.

Systems-Based Practice

MSPA students will demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that balances quality and cost, while maintaining the privacy of the individual patient.

Course Pathways


The CSUMB MSPA program does not offer advanced standing.

Students must complete all curriculum components in sequence. All courses must be completed before advancing to the next semester.

Didactic Year


Clinical Year


Hybrid Semester


Total Program Units: 83


CSUMB will confer a Master of Science Physician Assistant degree to students upon successful completion of all program requirements.

MSPA Program Academic Calendar


Spring 2019


First day of instruction

January 7th

Test Week

April 29 - May 3

Grades Due

TBA

Summer 2019


First Day of Instruction

May 13

Test Week

August 5 - 9

Grades Due

TBA

Fall 2019


First Day of Instruction

August 19

Test Week

December 9 - 13

Grades Due

TBA

Clinial Year 2020


Start Date

January 6

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