GRADUATE STUDIES
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
24
months to completion
$135,880 median annual salary for physician assistants* *According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 report.
$135,880 Median Annual Salary for Physician Assistants
$49,500 Median Salary for All Workers
Valparaiso University’s master of science in physician assistant program equips you with the clinical knowledge, ethical foundation, and hands-on experience needed to serve patients with competence and compassion. Valparaiso University’s master of science in physician assistant studies (MSPA) program provides the classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training you need to start your career as a compassionate and ethical advanced practice provider. The two-year MSPA graduate program is open exclusively to Valpo students and alumni who meet the admission requirements. All majors are welcome, and health science students and alumni are especially encouraged to apply. Incoming first-year students can also apply for the 3+2 direct admit pathway: three years of undergraduate study in Valpo’s health science major, followed by two years in the MSPA graduate program. With a combined total of 101 credit hours, the MSPA program is divided into a 12-month didactic phase followed by a 12-month clinical phase, allowing you to gain valuable on-site supervised clinical experience. You will graduate equipped to thrive and make an immediate impact as a physician assistant.
Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a graduate admission counselor today! Email us at grad@valpo.edu or call 219.464.5313.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
101 CR .
D I A D A C T I C Y E A R
52 CR.
To meet the objectives of the MSPA program, the College of Nursing and Health Professions holds students in the MSPA program to the following requirements in the didactic phase of the program:
FA L L S E M E S T E R
19 CR.
PA 500
Principles of PA Practice I
3 Cr.
PA 510
Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine
3 Cr.
PA 505
History Taking and Physical Examination
2 Cr.
PA 520
Immunology & Infectious Disease
2 Cr.
PA 521
Dermatology
2 Cr.
PA 522
Ophthalmology & Otorhinolaryngology
2 Cr.
PA 529
Orthopedics & Rheumatology
3 Cr.
PA 523
Hematology & Oncology
2 Cr.
S P R I N G S E M E S T E R
18 CR. 3 Cr.
“The most impactful part of my experience so far has been how much I’ve grown, not just academically, but as a person. This program has challenged me in ways that have pushed me to become more confident, more resilient, and more thoughtful in how I approach both learning and patient care. I’ve also been really impacted by the people in this program. Being surrounded by such driven, compassionate individuals has pushed me to be better every day and has reminded me why I
PA 501
Principles of PA Practice II
PA 551
Diagnostic and Clinical Procedures
1 Cr.
PA 525
Nutrition and Gastroenterology
2 Cr.
PA 526
Endocrinology
2 Cr.
PA 527
Nephrology
2 Cr.
chose this path in the first place.”
PA 541
Genitourology and Reproduction
3 Cr.
PA 524
Pulmonology
2 Cr.
MADI BOOR ’25, MSPA ’27
PA 528
Cardiology
3 Cr.
S U M M E R S E M E S T E R
15 CR.
PA 502
Principles of PA Practice III
PA 530
Neurology
2 Cr.
PA 531
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
2 Cr.
PA 543
Principles of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
2 Cr.
PA 544
Emergency Medicine
2 Cr.
PA 545
Surgical Medicine
1 Cr.
PA 560
Foundations of the Healthcare System
2 Cr.
PA 570
Transition to Clinical Year
1 Cr.
C L I N I C A L Y E A R
3 Cr.
49 C R .
FA L L S E M E S T E R
16 CR.
ROTATION ONE, TWO, THREE 5 weeks each rotation PA 695A
15 Cr.
Graduate Project I
1 Cr.
SPRING SEMESTER
21 CR.
ROTATION FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN 5 weeks each rotation PA 695B
20 Cr.
Graduate Project II
1 Cr.
SUMMER SEMESTER
12 CR.
ROTATION EIGHT, NINE 5 weeks each rotation
10 Cr.
PA 670
Transition to Clinical Practice
1 Cr.
PA 695C
Graduate Project III
1 Cr.
A total of 49 credit hours is required in the clinical phase of the MSPA program. Each student must successfully complete the following clinical rotations, the graduate project, and program summative assessments to complete the clinical phase. Rotations are not sequential; thus, a student may progress in any order through the clinical phase.
C L I N I C A L R OTAT I O N S
45 CR.
PA 601
Family Medicine Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 602
Pediatric Medicine Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 603
Women’s Health Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 604
Behavioral Health Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 605
Emergency Medicine Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 606
Surgery Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 607
Internal Medicine Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 608
Elective I Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
PA 609
Elective II Rotation
5 weeks
5 Cr.
Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. (For a full statement, see valpo.edu.)
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN 46383 program information: valpo.edu/mspa
web: valpo.edu/grad
email: pa@valpo.edu
email: grad@valpo.edu
A D M I S S I O N P AT H W AY S Valparaiso University offers three distinct admission pathways into the master of science in physician assistant studies (MSPA) program, each designed for students at different stages in their academic journey. The health science (BSHS) pathway is for current Valpo students or alumni who have completed a bachelor of science in health science (BSHS). After earning the degree, eligible applicants may apply for admission into the MSPA program and are given preference based on academic performance and healthcare experience. The Valpo degree pathway is designed for Valpo students and alumni from any major who meet prerequisite coursework and clinical experience requirements. After completing all required preparation, these applicants may apply to the MSPA program for consideration. The direct entry (3+2) pathway begins with first-year undergraduate admission to Valpo’s five-year bachelor of health science (BSHS) to MSPA program. Students follow a structured curriculum in health sciences and, after meeting progression standards, transition directly into the MSPA graduate phase in year four, no additional application required.
For admission requirements and more information, visit valpo.edu/pa-admission.