Master of Physician Associate Studies
The 91次元 Physician Associate (PA) Program is dedicated to training physician associates/assistants to serve the rural communities of Montana and other underserved populations. This rigorous, full-time curriculum spans 26 months and culminates in the awarding of a Master of Physician Associate Studies (MPAS) degree.
The program begins with an intensive in-person didactic phase on our picturesque campus in Missoula, MT, where students benefit from the diverse expertise of faculty members with extensive scientific and clinical backgrounds. Following this phase, students engage in a hands-on, supervised clinical practice experience at various clinical rotation sites.
The clinical rotations encompass seven core disciplines: emergency medicine, surgery, internal medicine, psychiatry, family medicine, women's health, and pediatrics, as well as an elective rotation. The program wraps up with a comprehensive summative evaluation and post-clinical courses, effectively preparing students to transition into professional practice as physician associates/assistants successfully.
As a developing program, the 91次元 Physician Associate (PA) Program eagerly anticipates welcoming its inaugural cohort of PA students in the Fall semester of 2026, pending accreditation.
Upcoming Program Information Events:
UM MPAS Program Spring Open Forum:
Date: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
In-person: LA 011 (Eck Hall)
Online Zoom:
For more information or to register for our out-of-area prospective students' live-stream option, please email Charlotte Dunn at physicianassociateprogram@mso.umt.edu.
Virtual Program Admission Information Events:
Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (MST)
Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (MST)
MPAS Admission Requirements
Learn more about the admission requirements for the Master of Physician Associate Program.
What Is a Physician Associate/Assistant?
According to the , PAs (Physician Assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.
The national (BLS) lists the PA profession as the #1 profession in the country based on projected tremendous growth rate of 28% over the next decade - this means the future of the PA continues to be very bright.
For more information about the PA Profession, check out the . You may also schedule an appointment to meet with Professor Bryant, PA-C, currently the PA student advisor with the College of Health by emailing PAProgram@umontana.edu
MPAS Program FAQs
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Students who successfully complete the program will earn a Master of Physician Associate (PA) Studies degree.
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UM's Master of Physician Associate (PA) Studies program will take 26 months to complete.
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Students in the MPAS program will attend full-time, on-campus in a face-to-face format.
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The anticipated number of matriculants per cohort is 24 students.
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Each cohort will begin in the month of August. The 91次元 anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2026.