Physician Assistant

Degree Offered

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree

Length of Program

The program requires 28 continuous months of instruction divided into two phases.

Phase I, the Didactic Phase, consists of 13 months of basic medical sciences, pre-clinical sciences and professional studies course work. The basic medical and pre-clinical science courses introduce students to the fundamentals of scientific and clinical medicine. The professional studies courses are designed to provide understanding of professionalism, legal aspects of practice, medical ethics, practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice.

Phase II, the Clinical Education phase, consists of 10 months of Required clerkships and 5 months of Elective clerkships. The required clerkships are in specific areas of clinical medicine, designed to provide a broad foundation for primary care clinical practice. Elective clerkships may be selected from specialty or primary care areas.

Clerkships are scheduled after mutual collaboration and agreement between the student and the Clinical Coordinator. Assignments to clerkship sites are made after careful consideration of the individual student's educational needs, site availability and the Program's goal for clinical education. These sites are located throughout the state of Nebraska and within many other states in the U.S. Required and elective clerkships may be assigned at any of these affiliated sites. Because of the location of clinical education sites, all applicants accepted into the Program must agree to spend at least three, and up to fifteen months in clerkship sites outside the Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas if required to do so by the Program.

Degree Requirements

Students must receive a passing grade of “C” or better or “Pass” in all courses and maintain an overall quality grade point average of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) or above. Grades of less than “C” are considered as failing within the physician assistant program. Physician assistant education requires the student to demonstrate skills of observation, communication, sensory, intellectual-conceptual, integrative and qualitative abilities, and professionalism. As such, students must successfully meet all of the program’s performance standards by passing all laboratory practical examinations and clinical education experiences, in addition to successful completion of didactic work. The standing of a student in any course is determined by the instructor of the course by examinations, laboratory and clinical performance, class participation, written assignments, personal observation, and other methods of evaluation.

Physician Assistant Website 

Admissions and Program Requirements

The mission of admissions in the College of Allied Health Professions is to advance evidence-based recruitment and admissions practices that are inclusive, equitable and balanced with respect to experiences, attributes and metrics to recruit and admit applicants for the purpose of preparing highly competent, collaborative and compassionate professionals dedicated to improving the health and healthcare of all individuals and communities. 

For specific PA admissions, application, and timelines, visit: Physician Assistant Admissions.

Physician Assistant Plan of Study

Phase I - Didactic

Phase II - Clinical 

Phase II, The clinical education phase, consists of 10 months of Required clerkships and 5 months of Elective clerkships. The required clerkships are in specific areas of clinical medicine, designed to provide a broad foundation for primary care clinical practice. Elective clerkships will be selected from specialty and primary care areas.

Required Clerkships

 Elective Clerkships

Total Program Semester  Hours - 123 

Total Number of Months - 28

Physician Assistant Website