The Master of Science in Physician Assistant program at the University of Michigan-Flint aims to cultivate exemplary physician assistant practitioners, leaders, and advocates for the profession and public health through best practices in teaching, learning, and service to our diverse local community and beyond.
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With exceptional classroom, laboratory, and clinical training, the University of Michigan-Flint Physician Assistant Program arms you with strong medical knowledge and experience to sit for national certification and state licensure. As a graduate of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program, you are well-prepared to provide evidence-based patient care as an integral member of the interprofessional health care team.
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Why Choose UM-Flint’s Physician Assistant Program?
The World-Class U-M PA Program
The University of Michigan has a storied history of outstanding health care degrees. From Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor to the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy in Flint, our programs are among the nation’s best in preparing successful physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and other health care leaders. The Physician Assistant program on the Flint campus continues that reputation by employing leading faculty, utilizing state-of-the-art laboratory space, and offering highly sought-after quality clinical experiences.
Exemplary Clinical Rotations
Students in the MS in Physician Assistant program delve into many different types of clinical opportunities. Clinical rotations take place throughout Michigan Medicine, UM health affiliates, Genesee County hospital systems, and Hamilton Community Health Center, among others with options for specialty clinical rotations. Through robust clinical training, students improve their competencies in patient care, practice-based learning, communication, and more.
Physician Assistant—A Top Career
Earning a master’s degree in Physician Assistant is an entry-level requirement for those who want to pursue a meaningful career as a Physician Assistant. PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider.
The PA profession is currently ranked #2 in Best Health Care Jobs by U.S. News & World Report, and fifth in 100 Best Jobs. Given our aging population, the projected retirements of our health care workforce, and the number of currently uninsured and underinsured individuals, the demand for competent physician assistants is rising.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of PAs will increase 27 percent through 2032, significantly faster than the average employment growth rate. In addition to the surge in demand, physician assistants can make a competitive median salary of $130,020 per year.
MS in Physician Assistant Program Curriculum
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant program employs a comprehensive 103-credit curriculum to instill students’ medical knowledge and clinical skills through didactic and clinical phases. Cohorts of up to 50 students begin each January.
Over 28 months, students attend on-campus and online courses and experience a variety of clinical rotations. The first 16 months are didactic instruction-lecture and laboratory format with clinical immersions. The final 12 months are primarily clinical rotations with some online and on-campus requirements.
Emphasizing hands-on training and interdisciplinary learning, the PA program curriculum is strengthened by collaborations within and across UM partnerships such as the School of Dentistry and HEART, the UM-Flint pro-bono interprofessional student health clinic.
See the detailed Master of Science in Physician Assistant program curriculum.
Clinical Arrangements
Students may suggest clinical sites and preceptors but are not required to provide or solicit sites for their clinical rotations. The UM-Flint PA program provides all clinical year students with clinical sites and preceptors that meet program requirements.
MS in Physician Assistant/MBA Dual Degree Option
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant /Master of Business Administration program is designed for ambitious PA students and graduates interested in Business and Health Administration. This dual program complements the MSPA program with business knowledge and skills to improve the effectiveness and operational success of health care organizations and to promote entrepreneurial initiatives of PA professionals in finding business solutions to everyday issues they observe during their practice.
The degrees are independent, and the PA program must be completed first, to be followed by the completion of the MBA program. Each degree is awarded when completed with specific credits accepted for the MBA degree after the MSPA degree is awarded.
Students Lauren Allen, Emily Barrie and Zehra Alghazaly recently made a big impression on the community with a project they undertook as part of their Leadership, Advocacy and Interprofessional Teamwork course. As a result, there is now a free Narcan vending machine in downtown Flint thanks to their work and a partnership they formed with the Genesee Community Health Center. “The fact that this project is live is very fulfilling,” Alghazaly said. “We made an impact on the community before we graduated.” To learn more, visit the UM-Flint NOW webpage.
Accreditation and PANCE Pass Rates
At its June 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. placed the University of Michigan – Flint Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Michigan – Flint Physician Assistant Program on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in June 2025.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation – Provisional or Accreditation – Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s). The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
More information on accreditation is available on the ARC-PA website or at:
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
12000 Findley Road, Suite 150
Johns Creek, GA 30097
770-476-1224
Competencies
| 1 | Knowledge of Practice | Demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care. |
| 2 | Interpersonal and Communication Skills | Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals. |
| 3 | Person-centered Care | Provide person-centered care that includes patient- and setting-specific assessment, evaluation, and management and health care that is evidence-based, supports patient safety, and advances health equity. |
| 4 | Interprofessional Collaboration | Demonstrate the ability to engage with a variety of other health care professionals in a manner that optimizes safe, effective, patient- and population-centered care. |
| 5 | Professionalism and Ethics | Demonstrate a commitment to practicing medicine in ethically and legally appropriate ways and emphasizing professional maturity and accountability for delivering safe and quality care to patients and populations. |
| 6 | Practice-based Learning and Quality Improvement | Demonstrate the ability to learn and implement quality improvement practices by engaging in critical analysis of one’s own practice experience, the medical literature, and other information resources for the purposes of self-evaluation, lifelong learning, and practice improvement. |
| 7 | Systems Based Practice | Systems-based practice encompasses the societal, organizational, and economic environments in which health care is delivered. Physician assistants must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that is of optimal value. PAs should work to improve the larger health care system of which their practices are a part. |
| 8 | Society and Population Health | Recognize and understand the influences of the ecosystem of person, family, population, environment, and policy on the health of patients and integrate knowledge of these determinants of health into patient care decisions. |
| 9 | Personal and Professional Development | Demonstrate the qualities required to sustain lifelong personal and professional growth. |
The University of Michigan-Flint Physician Assistant program encourages all prospective students to read the Prospective Student Guide.
PA Program Admission Requirements – No GRE Required
Applicants to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Completed a bachelor’s degree in any field of study prior to the PA program’s January start date.
- A bachelor’s degree completed in the U.S. must be from a regionally accredited institution.
- If the bachelor’s degree was completed at a non-US institution, applicants must obtain a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts by World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. The evaluation must be completed and uploaded to the CASPA application by the CASPA submission deadline date and must include at least the cumulative grade point average and degree earned.
- Minimum 3.0 CASPA-calculated overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average
- The UM-Flint PA program does not grant advanced placement for any individuals or transfer requests from students in other PA programs. All PA students must be matriculated through the published admissions process, and complete all courses in the University of Michigan-Flint Physician Assistant Program curriculum.
Beginning with the 2021-2022 application cycle the Physician Assistant program is pleased to announce the program no longer requires the GRE General Test for admission.
Mission
The mission of the UM-Flint PA program is to prepare students to become exemplary physician assistant practitioners, leaders, and advocates for the profession and public health through best practices in teaching, learning, and service to our diverse local community and beyond.
To achieve our mission, we will:
- Prepare a diverse PA workforce to serve the patient-centered needs and public health of the local, state, and national communities.
- Educate students to utilize evidence-based decision-making and problem-solving that allows for safe, affordable practice of medicine in a changing health care environment, emphasizing self-assessment that promotes continuous improvement.
- Educate and encourage students to provide culturally competent and team-based care committed to caring for all individuals.
- Prepare graduates who are creative leaders who advocate for and are civically engaged in their practice as clinicians, administrators, academicians, and researchers who contribute to the PA profession.
- Develop and support faculty members to achieve excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship.
- Support PA Program graduates and faculty in lifelong learning.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to be familiar with the program mission statement (as it appears above) prior to their interview.
Attributes
Each applicant will be individually assessed on essential attributes such as
- Academic excellence
- Altruism and advocacy
- Clinical experience
- Creation and discovery/critical thinking
- Desire to learn and dedication to practice as a PA
- Educational background
- Future potential to serve underserved medical specialties
- Future potential to serve an underserved population of patients
- Integrity, honesty, and ethics
- Leadership experience
- Leadership potential
- Life experiences
- Resiliency and adaptability
- Social/interpersonal skills and teamwork
- Written and verbal communication skills
Attributes are considered essential to the practice of medicine as a PA and therefore are required of all students admitted to the UM-Flint PA program. Unique potential relates to the unique and valued, but not required, characteristics that an applicant may possess, which would enhance their potential to contribute to the educational experience and diversity, broadly defined, of the PA program and to the PA profession.
PA Program Prerequisite Courses
- All prerequisite coursework must be undergraduate courses and grades must be a “C” (2.0) or higher. Due to the unique situation created by COVID-19, many institutions are allowing students to choose a Pass/No Pass option in lieu of a letter grade. UM-Flint Physician Assistant program requires all applicants to receive letter grades in all of their prerequisites courses. The Pass/No Pass option will not be accepted.
- Minimum combined prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
- All coursework fulfilling prerequisite requirements must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher to be considered for admission to the program.
- All prerequisite coursework must be completed at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college, with courses completed, grades earned, and documentation uploaded to the CASPA application by the CASPA application submission deadline date.
- Graduate-level courses will not be considered as fulfilling prerequisite courses.
- In-person and online coursework is acceptable.
- Courses for which credit was awarded by examination and/or advanced placement credit are not applied toward any of the prerequisite course requirements.
- Prerequisite courses will not substitute for more advanced applied content within the professional component of the program.
- Science prerequisite courses (human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology) must be taken within seven years from the date of the application submission. If any science courses were completed greater than seven years prior to the time of the application submission:
- A seven-year Prerequisite Science Course Waiver Request must be obtained prior to June 28.
We encourage you to review your courses and determine which transfer by using the College of Health Sciences Prerequisite Guide. This guide is intended as a starting point for prospective students. If you do not find your course(s) listed or need assistance, please reach out to the PA program directly at [email protected].
- Human Anatomy: one lecture course
- Human Physiology: two lecture courses, at least one course must be 300/3000 level or higher
- Chemistry: two lecture courses, one course must be either an organic or biochemistry course
- Microbiology: one lecture/lab course, must include lab (lecture and lab may be combined or separate)
- Developmental Psychology: one lecture course
- Statistics: one lecture course
- Medical Terminology: one lecture course
Rachel B.
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Oakland University.
What are some of the best qualities of your program? The program is set up in a way that makes learning each topic much more understandable. This means that we learn about the same module in multiple classes and we also get to enhance that learning with hands-on activities like ultrasound. Also, the program being 28 months is very beneficial because you get more time to understand each module instead of having to rush through the topics. Along with this, the professors practice as PAs and this is extremely helpful because we get to connect what we learn to real life examples.
Ally E.
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Michigan State University.
What are some of the best qualities of your program? The faculty is highly supportive and always willing to answer questions. Working one-on-one with them and hearing about their experiences during the lab periods offers valuable insights into their vast knowledge and experiences. Every faculty member has a different teaching style, which helps present information in different ways.
Review your courses and determine which transfer by using the College of Health Sciences Prerequisite Guide.
Admitted Student Data
UM PA Class of 2024
cGPA: 3.48
pGPA 3.57
Average Age: 24.39
43 Females and 3 Males
UM PA Class of 2025
cGPA: 3.48
pGPA 3.37
Average Age: 23.8
44 Females and 6 Males
UM PA Class of 2026
cGPA: 3.59
pGPA: 3.68
Average Age: 25
38 Females and 12 Males
Avg PCH: 1823
Application Deadlines
Winter 2026 Admission Cycle: April 24 – August 1, 2025
The UM-Flint PA program students begin in the winter semester, January 2026. Applicants must have a completed Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants on or before the deadline date of August 1. A complete date is given when an application is e-submitted and at least two letters of reference, all official transcripts, and payments received by CASPA and attached to the application. Documents should be sent six weeks prior to the deadline date to ensure items arrive on time.
Deadlines
- CASPA application due: August 1, 2025
- CASPA verified date – August 15, 2025
- Waivers requested by – June 28, 2025
The program does not utilize the rolling admissions process.
How to Apply to UM-Flint’s PA Program?
The UM-Flint PA program holistically evaluates candidates for admission across a range of attributes necessary for successful development into skilled, compassionate PAs who are aligned with the mission of the PA program.
The University of Michigan-Flint’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant program requires applicants to submit the following documents to the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants and UM-Flint by August 1, 2025.
Submit the following to CASPA:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended in the United States
- Signed UM-Flint Technical Standards Attestation Form
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution completed prior to the January start date with a minimum CASPA-calculated overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. The undergraduate degree may be in any field of study.
- All prerequisite coursework must be completed before a student submits the CASPA application.
- If the bachelor’s degree was completed at a non-US institution, applicants must obtain a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts by World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. The evaluation must be completed and uploaded to the CASPA application by the CASPA submission deadline date and must include at least the cumulative grade point average and degree earned.
- Applicants may request that their last 60 undergraduate credit hours be used to calculate the cumulative GPA. To request a waiver complete the Physician Assistant Admissions Waiver Request Form by Friday, June 28, and include the rationale for the request. Only undergraduate coursework will be used in the calculation. No graduate coursework will be used to calculate the cumulative GPA. If undergraduate courses were taken after graduation, these courses may be included in the last 60 credit total. If a last 60 credit hour waiver is granted, it is applicable to one application cycle only, as waivers do not roll over from one cycle to another.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation should be from persons who can attest to your potential as a PA, preferably from health professionals and/or college professors.
- Recommendation letters from family members or friends will not be accepted.
- One letter of recommendation should be from a supervisor who confirms the health care experience hours submitted.
- Personal statement
- Health Care Experience: 500 hours of hands-on direct patient care.
- Examples of accepted experience.
- Paid health care experience is preferred due to the level of responsibility and duties afforded in these positions. Volunteer health care experience may be considered, but paid, supervised health care experience is strongly encouraged.
- One letter of recommendation from a health care experience supervisor to confirm hours submitted.
- Hours must be completed before submission to CASPA and should occur within two years prior to application submission.
- Due to the competitive nature of PA admissions, earning additional health-related hours is advised. When evaluating hands-on health care hours, we consider the use of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiologic concepts in the work experience.
- Health clinician shadowing and hours gained through student clinical experiences are not accepted toward the Health Care Experience hour requirement.
Submit the following directly to UM-Flint:
- CASPer Test – Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics
- Visit Take Casper and complete the American Professional Health Sciences (CSP10101).
- The test is only valid for one admission cycle.
- Please direct any inquiries on the test to [email protected].
- Email [email protected] to have scores sent directly to UM-Flint.
- UM-Flint does not require the Snapshot or Duet assessments.
- If English is not your native language: Applicants can meet English proficiency either by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language or earning a baccalaureate degree from the United States, Canada, or Great Britain.
- Official and valid TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English and/or do not have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited United States institution, or a baccalaureate degree from Canada or Great Britain. This is required regardless of the official language of the country of origin or the predominant language of attended educational institutions.
- A minimum total TOEFL internet-based testing score of 94, with a speaking score of 26 is required. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years from the test date. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Michigan-Flint. Official TOEFL score reports must be submitted and received by the MSPA application deadline. You should allow at least four weeks for scores to be received from the date of the test. Any scores received after the application deadline will not be validated for the current admission cycle.
- UM-Flint TOEFL institution code 1853
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
This program is an on-campus program with in-person courses. Admitted students can apply for a student (F-1) visa. Students living abroad are unable to complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].
The application process includes an on-campus personal interview; qualifying applicants will receive an invitation to interview.
Automatic invitation for an interview: In keeping with the UM-Flint PA program emphasis on public health, applicants who meet the admission minimum requirements and are enrolled or graduated from the UM-Flint Public Health & Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Pre-PA track, and the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy will be offered an interview. Students who graduate from the College of Innovation and Technology’s Human Biology program in the Pre-PA track and meet the minimum requirements will also receive an interview.
Physician Assistant Technical Standards
All applicants must meet the Physician Assistant Technical Standards in order to be admitted to and retained in the UM-Flint PA program. The Technical Standards are required for admission and must be maintained throughout student progression through the PA program. The Technical Standards are essential and necessary to practice and function as a PA and go beyond academic requirements for admission. These include physical, behavioral, and cognitive abilities needed to complete the PA education curriculum and competently perform as a PA upon graduation.
The Technical Standards for the UM-Flint PA program ensure that enrolled students have the ability to demonstrate academic mastery, competency when performing clinical skills, and ability to communicate clinical information with sound physical and mental capacities.
Pre-PA Preparation Course for Accepted Students
All accepted students will be required to take an online Pre-PA preparation course that will refresh skills in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, critical thinking and study skills. There are videos, quizzes and a final exam. More information will be provided after admission.
Learn More about the Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Program
Apply to the University of Michigan-Flint’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant program to pursue your dream of becoming a responsible and compassionate health care provider. If you want to learn more about the Physician Assistant program, submit a request information form!
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