Physician Assistant, MSPA

Program Vision Statement

The Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Program will be acclaimed nationally for preparing physician assistants who are known for their knowledge, compassion, collaboration, integrity, and service.

Program Goals

To accomplish these outcomes, the Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Program has established the following Program Goals:

Upon completion of the Physician Assistant (PA) Program, individuals will be able to demonstrate the following:

• An investigative and analytical approach to patient care incorporating core medical knowledge and critical thinking skills. (PA1)
• Interpersonal communication skills to develop therapeutic, culturally sensitive and ethically sound relationships with patients, their families, and other members of the healthcare team. (PA2)
• Patient-centered care that incorporates medical knowledge, procedural skills, team-based care and the active involvement of patients and families in their own healthcare across the lifespan. (PA3)
• Positive values and ideals consistent with an ethical and professional approach to patient care, including the acknowledgement of professional and personal limitations. (PA4)
• Practice and systems-based analysis to ensure patient safety and improve outcomes through continuous quality improvement. (PA5)
• Appropriate responses to the complexities of the dynamic healthcare system by practicing in a cost effective and socially responsible manner while focused on the interest of the individual patient. (PA6)

Admission to the physician assistant (PA) program is decided by the following criteria:

Undergraduate Direct Entry (3+2) Pathway (for students applying at the undergraduate/freshman level):

1. Cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 or higher.
2. Successful completion of four years of lab science (biology, chemistry, anatomy/physiology, and physics recommended).
3. Successful completion of pre-calculus math.
4. Personal statement.

Health Science (BSHS) Pathway (for current Valpo students or alumni with a health science major)

1. A completed Valparaiso University graduate application.
2. Official Valparaiso University transcripts.
3. Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a healthcare professional.
4. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and lab science GPA of 3.0 or higher (competitive applicants typically hold a 3.4 or higher in both).
5. Personal statement.
6. Interview.
7. Completion of the bachelor of science in health science (BSHS) degree prior to matriculation into the MSPA program in August.

Valpo Degree Pathway (for Valpo students or alumni from any major who meet prerequisite and clinical requirements):

1. A completed Valparaiso University graduate application.
2. Official Valparaiso University transcripts.
3. Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a healthcare professional.
4. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and lab science GPA of 3.0 or higher (competitive applicants typically hold a 3.4 or higher in both).
5. Minimum of 132 hours of documented direct patient care or healthcare experience prior to the start of the MSPA program.
6. Personal statement.
7. Interview.

Application Deadline
Rolling admission review for the undergraduate direct entry pathway. Graduate admission to the MSPA program for both the health science (BSHS) and Valpo degree pathways is considered once per year in December, pending available seats.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Valparaiso University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. 

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2032. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. 

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website below.

The Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Program is a rigorous curriculum where students acquire the general knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors required for the practice of medicine. The program considers it essential for all physician assistant graduates to have the ability to function in a variety of clinical situations and to provide a wide spectrum of patient care.

Students who are applying to the College of Nursing and Health Professions will be required to complete supervised clinical practice experiences to fulfill the requirements of their field of study and degree.  The vast majority of hospital systems, hospitals, clinics, and medical offices (clinical sites) require students to submit documentation of a completed vaccination series (including COVID-19) to meet their requirements to enter their facilities and attend a clinical practice experience. Clinical site vaccine policies are mandated by each site and not the program. Therefore, a vaccine exemption granted by the University for classroom purposes does not apply to clinical sites. Vaccine exemption requests must be submitted to each clinical site for their sole approval/disapproval. While some clinical sites may offer exemptions from certain vaccination requirements, there may still be an insufficient number of clinical sites that allow such exemptions to accommodate all required clinical placements needed for graduation. Read the full immunization requirements.

PANCE Results

The Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) is a computer-based, multiple-choice test comprised of questions that assess general medical and surgical knowledge. Graduates must successfully pass this examination in order to become eligible for licensure.

Valparaiso University MSPA Program PANCE Pass Rates

Valpo MSPA Cohort	Valpo PA % Pass Rate for First-Time Takers	National % Pass Rate for First-Time Takers	Valpo PA % Overall Pass Rate	National % Pass Rate, All Takers
Class of 2020	84%	95%	100%	93%
Class of 2021	93%	93%	96%	91%
Class of 2022	95%	92%	100%	89%
Class of 2023	96%	92%	100%	89%
Class of 2024	93%	92%	100%	89%
Class of 2025	88%	91%	97%	88%

Student Attrition and Graduation Rates

Valparaiso University MSPA Program Attrition/Graduation Rates

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.

**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

Comments:

• For the Class of 2022, one student decelerated and joined the Class of 2023.
• For the Class of 2023, three students decelerated and joined the Classes of 2024 and 2025.

To meet the objectives of the MSPA program, the College holds students in the MSPA degree program to the following requirements in the clinical year of the program:

Fall Semester
Course Requirements	Timeframe	Credits
Rotation 1	5 weeks	5
Rotation 2	5 weeks	5
Rotation 3	5 weeks	5
PA 695A – Graduate Project I		1
Total Fall Semester Credits		16

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Spring Semester
Course Requirements	Timeframe	Credits
Rotation 4	5 weeks	5
Rotation 5	5 weeks	5
Rotation 6	5 weeks	5
Rotation 7	5 weeks	5
PA 695B – Graduate Project II		1
Total Spring Semester Credits		21

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Summer Semester
Course Requirements	Timeframe	Credits
Rotation 8	5 weeks	5
Rotation 9	5 weeks	5
PA 670 – Transition to Clinical Practice		1
PA 695C – Graduate Project III		1
Total Summer Semester Credits		12

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.

Clinical Rotations
Course Requirement	Timeframe	Credits
PA 601 – Family Medicine Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 602 – Pediatric Medicine Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 603 – Women’s Health Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 604 – Behavioral Health Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 605 – Emergency Medicine Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 606 – Surgery Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 607 – Internal Medicine Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 608 – Elective I Rotation	5 weeks	5
PA 609 – Elective II Rotation	5 weeks	5

A total of 49 credit hours is required in the clinical phase of the MSPA program.