Franklin Pierce University

Program Information

Degree Offered

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Format: Campus

Program Description:

Franklin Pierce University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program features a holistic
approach to learning and patient care. Students receive instruction that advances their personal
and professional development to become ethical, caring clinicians with a focus on treating a
patient’s body, mind and spirit. In addition to classroom instruction, clinical experience is a vital
component of the program. Clinical sites throughout the country will provide this training with a
concentration on rural and underserved regions of Vermont and New Hampshire.

This is a full-time day program designed to be completed in 27 calendar months. Students attend
classes at the University’s Lebanon, New Hampshire center. Our facility includes classrooms,
seminar rooms, a computer lab and a clinical lab where students learn hands-on, practical skills
with state-of-the art training equipment.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects rapid employment growth for Physician Assistants
in all areas, especially rural and inner city health care facilities.* Graduates of the Master of
Physician Assistant Studies Program will be skilled and compassionate clinicians, who partner
with physicians and patients to promote health and wellness, diagnose and treat acute illnesses
and manage chronic disease.

Mission

The mission of the Franklin Pierce University Physician
Assistant Program is to graduate competent and
compassionate physician assistants who possess the
requisite knowledge, skills, and attitude to provide
high quality, patient-oriented primary care in diverse
environments.

Program Goals

1. Prepare students to function as primary care providers
in the health care setting while providing enhanced
training for those who wish to specialize.
2. To educate Physician Assistants to practice patientcentered, holistic medicine; caring for the patient’s
body, mind, and spirit.
3. To nurture students in the development of their
professional role as a collaborative member of
the health care team and their personal journey to
becoming reflective, ethical practitioners.
4. To graduate self-directed learners with a desire
to engage in critical evaluation of the practice of
medicine and the medical literature.
5. To recruit students from rural and underserved
communities, particularly those from Vermont and
central and northern New Hampshire, as well as those
from underrepresented populations in medicine.
6. To return these students to rural and underserved
communities for clinical training and practice.
Program Information
• The program offers one start annually in the late fall.
• Courses are offered in four 12-week terms for a total
of nine terms.
• The program is designed to be completed in 27
months of full-time study.
• A total of 124 credits must be earned in order to qualify
for graduation.
• Course sequencing and descriptions are available on
the University Web site.

Accreditation:

The Franklin Pierce University Master in Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.) Program has been awarded provisional accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commisssion on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA, 12000 Findley Road, Suite 240, Johns Creek, GA 30097, 770-476-1224, arc-pa.org). All students matriculating in a provisionally accredited program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Physician Assistants. Continuing accreditation status for a program is achieved only after a successful follow-up review and second site visit by ARC-PA. The next accreditation review for the Franklin Pierce P.A. program will take place in the spring of 2012.

Eligibility Requirements:

Prerequisites:
• Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited institution.
• Achievement of a minimum cumulative (GPA) of 2.8
and a science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (candidates
whose cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 may be
considered on a case-by-case basis or if their GPA
for the last 60 semester credits is at least 3.3).
• Successful completion of all prerequisite coursework
with a grade of “C” or better.

Required prerequisite courses:

• Two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (with lab)
• Two semesters of Chemistry (with lab)
• One semester of Biology (with lab)
• One semester of Microbiology (with lab)
• One semester of Statistics
• One semester of Psychology

Recommended courses:

Genetics, Immunology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry
and/or Cell Biology, Nutrition, Sociology

# of Credits Required:

126

International Student Requirements:

Same as Domestic, plus English language competency

Tuition & Financial Aid

Cost Per Credit Hour:

890 USD

Tuition In-State Full Time:

35728 USD

Tuition Out of State Full Time:

35728 USD

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges--Liberal Arts

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Fringe Rural Area

Size & Settings: 1,000 - 4,999