Tracey DelNero, Department Chair

Program Offered

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician collaboration. Each January, the program admits 45 students. Our program offers a comprehensive curriculum, diverse interprofessional educational experiences, integration of innovative educational modalities, advanced technical skill instruction, and specialty elective tracks. The MPAS degree program is a full-time graduate level program with an integrated curriculum that contains both didactic and clinical educational experiences. The program is 27 months (7 academic semesters), starting with a year of didactic instruction followed by clinical application educational experiences and summative evaluation. Per national requirements, upon graduation, PA students are required to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to enter clinical practice. Pacific PA alumni are poised for collaborative practice with physicians and other healthcare team members.

ARC-PA Accreditation Statement

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of the Pacific Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of the Pacific. 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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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 March 2031. 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 at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-the-pacific/.

Admission Requirements

Completion of the following admission requirements prior to submission of an application is required. Applicants must submit an application to the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Refer to the Program Website for deadline and prerequisite course information.

Bachelor’s degree *
All prerequisite coursework **
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
Minimum overall science GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
Minimum of 1,000 hours of health care experience

* Degree conferral date must appear on the transcript for a CASPA application to be complete.
** Grades for all prerequisite courses must be posted and appear on transcript (i.e. no "planned" or "in progress" notations on transcript).

Prerequisite Health Care Experience

We do not consider one type of clinical experience greater than another (i.e. experience as an RN is not more valued than that of a medical assistant). Experience may be paid or unpaid. There is not a published list of health care professions the program considers suitable for clinical experience. At a minimum, the applicant's clinical experience should include one of the following:

Collecting of, and/or reporting in the patient's chart, data necessary to establish a diagnosis or evaluate the progress of the patient's treatment plan;
Assisting a health care worker in the performance of diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedures;
Under the supervision of a health care provider administering or dispensing medications;
Other work involving direct patient contact and interaction.

Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite coursework must be completed at an accredited US institution.
A single course cannot be used to meet multiple requirements.
No preference is given for coursework completed at 4-year institutions versus 2-year institutions.

Prerequisite Science Courses

Important! Pacific will NOT accept AP/CLEP courses to fulfill science prerequisites.

General Chemistry: Two courses with a minimum of 1 lab. Total of 8 semester units or 12 quarter units. Should be a course sequence designed for chemistry majors.

Biological Sciences: Two courses with a minimum of 1 lab. Total of 6 semester or 9 quarter units. Should be a course sequence designed for biology majors.

Human Anatomy: One course with lab is required. Total of 4 semester or 5 quarter units with lab (or combined Anatomy & Physiology).

Human Physiology: One course is required. Total of 4 semester or 5 quarter units (or combined Anatomy & Physiology). Lab recommended, but not required.

Microbiology: One course is required. Total of 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Lab recommended, but not required.

Prerequisite Non-Science Courses

Math: One course in Statistics is required. Total of 3 semester or 4 quarter units.

Psychology: One course in General or Abnormal Psychology is required. Total of 3 semester or 4 quarter units.

English Composition: Two courses are required. Total of 6 semester or 9 quarter units. Minimum of 1 composition course; 2nd course can be composition, literature, or writing intensive course. English as a Second Language courses will not fulfill this requirement.

Other Admissions Requirements

Technical Standards

Students must be able to achieve and maintain certain technical standards of knowledge and skill in order to successfully complete the PA Program. The technical standards in this document apply to satisfactory performance in all academic and clinical course work, as well as fulfillment of non-academic essential functions of the curriculum involving physical, cognitive, and behavior factors that are essential to a professional clinical practitioner. Students must attest to their ability to meet these technical standards prior to matriculation.

Technical Standards

Health and Communicable Disease Clearance

Students must provide documentation of general health and the ability to meet technical standards. Additionally, students are required to provide documentation demonstrating communicable disease clearance. Additional information regarding clearance requirements may be found on Pacific's student health website.

Background Clearance

The Program requires students to undergo background screenings prior to matriculation and periodically throughout enrollment. Students have a fiduciary responsibility for the costs associated with the background screening. Background screening will be completed on all students at matriculation and prior to placement on clinical rotations. Applicants are required to be truthful when completing their application in the CASPA system. Discrepancies noted on the pre-matriculation background screening will be investigated and may result in denial of matriculation. Some clinical rotation sites require an additional background screening immediately prior to the start of the rotation, therefore students may be required to complete multiple background screenings throughout enrollment. Facts uncovered as a result of the background screening which could preclude licensure and/or practice in the profession may impact the student’s ability to begin or continue in the program.

Pending Criminal Action Decisions

Applicants offered admission who have pending criminal charges must have adjudication of the offense(s) completed prior to matriculation. Applicants offered admission who fail to complete adjudication of the offense(s) prior to matriculation, or are convicted of a misdemeanor or higher crime, will have their offer of acceptance withdrawn. Persons currently under the command of the criminal justice system will not be accepted for admission.

Toxicology Clearance

The Program requires students to undergo toxicology screenings prior to matriculation and periodically throughout enrollment. Students have a fiduciary responsibility for the costs associated with toxicology screening. Toxicology screening will be completed on all students prior to matriculation, randomly throughout enrollment and prior to placement on clinical rotations. Toxicology screening may be via urine or serum. Some clinical rotation sites require an additional toxicology screens immediately prior to the start of the rotation, therefore students may be required to complete multiple screens throughout enrollment. The Program requires the authorization by each student for a urine toxicology screen prior to matriculation into the Program. Abnormalities noted on the pre-matriculation toxicology screening will be investigated and may result in denial of matriculation.

International Applicants

All prerequisite course work must be completed at an accredited US institution.
Baccalaureate degrees will be accepted from foreign institutions only if accompanied by a World Education Services (WES) evaluation of foreign training. CASPA also accepts the WES evaluation of transcripts.
Note: WES does not evaluate all Caribbean medical schools. If you attended a school that World Education Services (WES) will not evaluate, your transcripts will not be considered as part of your application. Applicants will still be required to demonstrate that all prerequisites have been met with the exclusion of the affected transcripts.
The entire curriculum is taught in the English language. If English is not your first language, you may be required to take the TOEFL/ IELTS and should submit your score with your CASPA application. The program will not accept applications with a TOEFL score less than 100 or IELTS score less than 7.0. TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date per ETS website. View the TOEFL flowchart to see if it is required for you.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Students must complete a minimum of 114 units with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in order to earn a master of physician assistant studies degree.

First Year
Spring
MPAS 200	Clinical Medicine I - Foundations (Anatomy)	4
MPAS 201	Clinical Medicine I - Foundations (Pathophysiology)	4
MPAS 211	Pharmacology and Therapeutics I	3
MPAS 221	Behavioral and Health Sciences	2
MPAS 231	Professional Practice and the Health System I	1
MPAS 241	Clinical Skills I	4
Summer
MPAS 202	Clinical Medicine II	8
MPAS 212	Pharmacology and Therapeutics II	3
MPAS 222	Evidence Based Practice	2
MPAS 232	Professional Practice and the Health System II	1
MPAS 242	Clinical Skills II	4
Fall
MPAS 203	Clinical Medicine III	8
MPAS 213	Pharmacology and Therapeutics III	3
MPAS 223	Mental and Behavioral Health	2
MPAS 233	Professional Practice and the Health System III	1
MPAS 243	Clinical Skills III	4
Second Year
Spring
MPAS 205	Preparation for Clinical Practice	4
MPAS 219A	Advanced Clinical Skills I	2
MPAS 215	Primary Care I ^*	4
MPAS 216	Primary Care II ^*	4
*Supervised Clinical Experience Rotation
Summer
MPAS 217	Primary Care III ^*	4
MPAS 225	Primary Care/Pediatrics ^*	4
MPAS 235	Primary Care/Women's Health ^*	4
MPAS 219B	Advanced Clinical Skills II	1
*Supervised Clinical Experience Rotation
Fall
MPAS 245	Primary Care/Behavioral and Mental Health ^*	4
MPAS 255	Internal Medicine ^*	4
MPAS 265	Surgery ^*	4
MPAS 275	Emergency Medicine ^*	4
MPAS 219C	Advanced Clinical Skills III	1
*Supervised Clinical Experience Rotation
Third Year
Spring
MPAS 285	General Elective I ^*	4
MPAS 286	General Elective II ^*	4
MPAS 287	General Elective III ^*	4
MPAS 218	Periodic and Summative Evaluations/Capstone ^**	4
*Supervised Clinical Experience Rotation
Total Hours		114

Physician Assistant Courses

MPAS 200. Clinical Medicine I - Foundations (Anatomy). 4 Units.

This course involves a detailed regional analysis of the structure of the human body that includes the lower/upper extremity, head/neck and trunk, thoracic/abdominal and pelvic cavities and the central nervous system. Functional correlates to the structures will also be presented and discussed. This course has a discussion component as well as a laboratory component using physical anatomy models, cadaver prosections, and computer/textbook anatomy programs/atlases.

MPAS 201. Clinical Medicine I - Foundations (Pathophysiology). 4 Units.

This course involves an advanced review and clinical application of human physiology, in a body system approach, correlated with common disease pathophysiology. This course provides foundational and advanced understanding of disease mechanisms in preparation for clinical disease evaluation and management.

MPAS 202. Clinical Medicine II. 8 Units.

This is first of a two-semester course that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and management of select medical conditions, syndromes and diseases including the integration and application of knowledge obtained in the Clinical Skills, and Pharmacology and Therapeutics courses. The semester will follow an organ system approach.

MPAS 203. Clinical Medicine III. 8 Units.

This is the second of a two-semester course that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and management of select medical conditions, syndromes and diseases, including the integration and application of knowledge obtained in the Clinical Skills, and Pharmacology and Therapeutics courses. The semester will follow an organ system and discipline approach.

MPAS 205. Preparation for Clinical Practice. 4 Units.

This is an intensive clinical preparatory course prior to the start of clinical rotations. Clinical year clearance, policy and procedure instruction. Application of clinical and procedural knowledge through various individual and team activities. Culmination evaluations of the didactic portion of the curriculum. Satisfactory completion of the culmination evaluations is required to progress to the clinical year.

MPAS 211. Pharmacology and Therapeutics I. 3 Units.

This is the first of a three-semester course that focuses on general clinical therapeutic principles, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutic application. This semester emphasizes basic pharmacological principles, drug classifications, legal aspects of prescribing, supplements and alternative medicinal therapies, and self-care concepts.

MPAS 212. Pharmacology and Therapeutics II. 3 Units.

This is the second of a three-semester course that focuses on general clinical therapeutic principles, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutic application. This semester presents pharmacological and therapeutic concepts addressed in an organ system approach congruent with Clinical Medicine.

MPAS 213. Pharmacology and Therapeutics III. 3 Units.

This is the third of a three-semester course that focuses on general clinical therapeutic principles, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutic application. This semester presents pharmacological and therapeutic concepts addressed in a organ system and disciple specific approach congruent with Clinical Medicine.

MPAS 215. Primary Care I. 4 Units.

Students will be placed in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting to obtain exposure to primary care medicine, including health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education and continuity of care. The written examinations for these will focus on family medicine.

MPAS 216. Primary Care II. 4 Units.

MPAS 217. Primary Care III. 4 Units.

MPAS 218. Periodic and Summative Evaluations/Capstone. 4 Units.

This will be a continuing course throughout the four semesters of the clinical education phase of the program. The periodic evaluations will include end-of-rotation written examinations, OSCEs, and skills assessments. Summative evaluations will consist of a written comprehensive examination and a practical examination (OSCE). All course elements must be completed satisfactorily in order to pass the course and be progressed to graduation. The Capstone Project will continue from the research portion of the Behavioral Sciences course. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will pose and answer a clinical question on a practice topic of their choice by completing a critical review of the medical literature, and will write a paper suitable for publication on the topic.

MPAS 219A. Advanced Clinical Skills I. 2 Units.

This is the first course in a three semester series that builds upon the basic clinical skills coursework. Instruction and application of advanced clinical and procedural skills. Integration and application of clinical reasoning and a comprehensive patient centered approach through case analysis, simulation and standardized patient encounters.

MPAS 219B. Advanced Clinical Skills II. 1 Unit.

This is the second course in a three semester series that builds upon the basic clinical skills coursework. Instruction and application of advanced clinical and procedural skills. Integration and application of clinical reasoning and a comprehensive patient centered approach through case analysis, simulation and standardized patient encounters.

MPAS 219C. Advanced Clinical Skills III. 1 Unit.

This is the third course in a three semester series that builds upon the basic clinical skills coursework. Instruction and application of advanced clinical and procedural skills. Integration and application of clinical reasoning and a comprehensive patient centered approach through case analysis, simulation and standardized patient encounters.

MPAS 221. Behavioral and Health Sciences. 2 Units.

This course introduces the biopsychosocial model of health care. It addresses basic psychology concepts, biological and psychosocial development across the life span, stress management, basic counseling and behavior modification principles, social determinants of health.

MPAS 222. Evidence Based Practice. 2 Units.

This course emphasizes general research principles and the impact of research, social determinants, and health literacy on public and population health. Principles addressed include research design and methods, basic research statistics, evaluation and application of clinical research, identification and critical review of the medical literature, clinical decision-making driven by evidence based medicine, and disease surveillance.

MPAS 223. Mental and Behavioral Health. 2 Units.

This course emphasizes evaluation and management of behavioral and mental health disorders, including disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders.

MPAS 225. Primary Care/Pediatrics. 4 Units.

Students will be placed in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting to obtain exposure to pediatric primary care medicine. The written examination for this rotation will focus on pediatric medicine.

MPAS 231. Professional Practice and the Health System I. 1 Unit.

This is the first of a three-semester course that explores the healthcare system from a professional, legal, economic and patient care perspective. This semester includes the history and status of the PA profession and professional organizations, the physician-PA team relationship, PA scope of practice and legal regulations. An introduction to healthcare delivery systems, health policy, and related governmental agencies. Exploration of team based patient care through interprofessional education activities.

MPAS 232. Professional Practice and the Health System II. 1 Unit.

This is the second of a three-semester course that explores today’s healthcare system from a professional, legal, economic and patient care perspective. This semester emphasis is on medical ethics, legal aspects of health care, patient-provider interactions, confidentiality, risk management and malpractice. Exploration of team based patient care though interprofessional education activities.

MPAS 233. Professional Practice and the Health System III. 1 Unit.

This is the third of a three-semester course that explores today’s healthcare system from a professional, legal, economic and patient care perspective. This semester emphasis is the economics of health care, including billing and coding, utilization review and electronic medical records (EMR). Exploration of team based patient care through interprofessional education activities.

MPAS 235. Primary Care/Women's Health. 4 Units.

Students will be placed in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting to obtain exposure to women’s health care. The written examinations for this rotation will focus on women’s health and reproductive health.

MPAS 241. Clinical Skills I. 4 Units.

This three-semester course focuses on four main topic areas: history and physical examination, diagnostic studies, application through case based learning, and procedural skills. This semester builds a foundation of student knowledge in the four topic areas through focused study in the following areas: communication, documentation, history and review of systems, fundamentals of diagnostic studies, medical microbiology, external anatomy, and utilization of diagnostic equipment. Case based discussions emphasize clinical reasoning through knowledge application.

MPAS 242. Clinical Skills II. 4 Units.

This three-semester course focuses on four main topic areas: history and physical examination, diagnostic studies, application through case based learning, and procedural skills. This semester presents the concepts in an organ system approach congruent with Clinical Medicine. Case based discussions emphasize clinical reasoning through knowledge integration and application. Organ system specific procedures are covered.

MPAS 243. Clinical Skills III. 4 Units.

This three-semester course focuses on four main topic areas: history and physical examination, diagnostic studies, application through case based learning, and procedural skills. This semester presents the concepts in an organ system and discipline specific approach congruent with Clinical Medicine. Case based discussions emphasize clinical reasoning through knowledge integration and application. Organ system and discipline specific procedures are covered.

MPAS 245. Primary Care/Behavioral and Mental Health. 4 Units.

Students will be placed in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting to obtain exposure to behavioral health care. The written examination for this rotation will focus on behavioral health.

MPAS 255. Internal Medicine. 4 Units.

Students will be placed in an outpatient, inpatient and/or long term care setting to obtain exposure to primary care and chronic disease management. The written examination for this rotation will cover internal medicine and geriatrics.

MPAS 265. Surgery. 4 Units.

Students will be placed with general surgeons and/or surgical specialists to obtain exposure to surgical principles. Student will obtain intraoperative experience during this rotation. Pre- and post-operative care concepts may be addressed in this rotation or any other rotation. The written examination for this rotation will focus on general surgical principles, including pre- and post-operative management.

MPAS 275. Emergency Medicine. 4 Units.

Students will be placed in a hospital based emergency room to gain exposure to urgent and emergent care. The written examination for this rotation will focus on emergency medicine.

MPAS 285. General Elective I. 4 Units.

Students in good academic standing will have the opportunity to complete elective rotations in a desired area of specialty or Pathway Track, if available. Elective rotations may occur in any healthcare setting in any field in which PAs are allowed to practice within the state where the practice is located. The Program reserves the right to utilize elective rotations in the best interest of the student to address knowledge and/or skills deficiencies.

MPAS 286. General Elective II. 4 Units.

MPAS 287. General Elective III. 4 Units.

MPAS 293. Special Topics. 4 Units.

Program Goals

The University of the Pacific’s PA program holds four goals for graduates consistent with the Program Mission. Program goals and competencies are integrally linked to support goal achievement. Performance measures assess the program’s ability to promote our graduates’ ability to achieve the goals.

Goal 1: Apply medical knowledge & clinical skills in patient centered practice

Goal 2: Apply system-based practice principles to patient care

Goal 3: Model professionalism and leadership

Goal 4: Model commitment to lifelong learning

Program Competencies [TD1]

Goals & Outcomes Satisfaction [TD2]

[TD1]Hyperlinked back to website

[TD2]Hyperlinked back to website

Physician Assistant Studies Faculty

Tracey DelNero, DMSc, PA-C, Department Chair/Program Director, Associate Clinical Professor, 2015, BA, California State University, Sacramento, 1994; PA, Western University of Health Sciences, 1999; MSPAS, Touro College, 2014; DMSc; University of Lynchburg, 2020

Jed Grant, DMSc, PA-C, Vice Chair, Associate Clinical Professor, 2015, BS, University of Nebraska, 1999; MPAS, University of Nebraska, 2008. DMSc, University of Lynchburg, 2020.

Brian Goldsmith, MD, Medical Director, 2022, BS, University of Maryland, 1985; MD, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, F. Edward Herbert School of Medicine, 1989.

Jessica Garner, DMSc, PA-C, Clinical Director, Assistant Clinical Professor, 2015, BA, California State University, Fresno, 2007; PA, San Joaquin Valley College, 2012; MMS, Saint Francis University, 2012. DMSc, University of Lynchburg, 2021.

Alicia Gordon, MMS, PA-C, Assistant Clinical Professor, 2017, BS, UCLA, 2002; PA, San Joaquin Valley College, 2012; MMS, Saint Francis University, 2012

Curtis Fowler; DMSc, PA-C, Assistant Clinical Professor, 2016, BS, Sacramento State University, 1991; MPT, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, 1994; PA, University of California at Davis, 2002; DMSc, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2021

Jacie Touart, MPA, PA-C, Assistant Clinical Professor, 2016, BHS, Duquesne University, 2001; MPA, Duquesne University,2002

Michael Morley, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Clinical Professor, 2022, BA, Psychology UCLA, 1992; MSPAS, Samuel Merritt University; 2010

Nancy Hamler, DMSc, RDN, PA-C, Assistant Clinical Professor, 2020

Physician Assistant Studies