Janice Lozano
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant (PA) Program is ranked 3rd in the nation and trains aspiring physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patient conditions in a primary care model. The program emphasizes accessible, fair, and high-quality patient-centered healthcare. The University of Utah's PA program requires students to have hands-on patient care experience, with paid and medically-related experiences weighted more heavily. While good grades and test scores are important for admission, extracurricular activities and service-oriented outlooks are also considered. The University of Utah's PA program had 11 students in March 2025, who participated in the Guatemala International Rotation, an immersive experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking | 3rd in the nation |
| Mission | Educating physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in patients of all ages |
| Curriculum emphasis | Utilizing a primary care model |
| Training | Training physician assistants to work with physicians as part of a healthcare team |
| Degree awarded | Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) |
| Accreditation | Accreditation-Continued status granted by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) |
| Student participation | 11 PA students participated in the Guatemala International Rotation in March 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Utah Physician Assistant Program is ranked #3 in the US
- Students graduate with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree
- The program emphasises evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patient conditions
- Applicants must take a situational judgement test (CASPer) and a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if a non-native speaker
- The University encourages students to shadow PAs to gain insight into the profession
The University of Utah Physician Assistant Program is ranked #3 in the US
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant Program has been ranked #3 in the US in the latest US News & World Report's 2025 rankings of Best Graduate Schools for Physician Assistant programs. This is the highest placement in the program's history, which dates back over 50 years to 1971. The program has a long-standing reputation as a national leader in primary care education, rural and behavioural health integration, and international rotations in Guatemala, Nepal, and Thailand.
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant Program is one of the oldest in the country and has held continued accreditation since 1971. The program is sponsored by the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Utah Medical Association, the largest constituency association in the state. The mission-based curriculum emphasizes training physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in patients of all ages. The program trains physician assistants to work as part of a healthcare team to improve the quality and access to primary care. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.
The Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences at the University of Utah School of Medicine promotes accessible, fair, and high-quality patient-centred healthcare. The division is committed to improving the quality of health and access to care, with a focus on underserved communities. The program educates students to become highly proficient, socially conscious, and accountable physician assistants.
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant Program has a history of producing exceptional healthcare providers equipped to lead in primary care, rural and underserved medicine, behavioural health, and global health. The program's high ranking is a testament to the dedication of its students, faculty, staff, and clinical partners, who work tirelessly to train the next generation of physician assistants.
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Students graduate with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant (PA) Program offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree to students who successfully complete its training. The program is ranked #3 in the nation and 4th among public universities. It is sponsored by the University of Utah School of Medicine and the Utah Medical Association and has been granted Accreditation-Continued status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). This status indicates that the program is in compliance with ARC-PA standards.
The mission of the University of Utah's PA program is to improve the quality of health and access to care, with a focus on serving the medically underserved. The program aims to educate students to become highly proficient, socially conscious, and accountable physician assistants in the primary care model. The curriculum emphasizes training physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in patients of all ages, working collaboratively with physicians as part of a healthcare team.
To be admitted to the University of Utah's PA program, applicants must meet certain requirements. While good grades and high standardised test scores, such as the GRE, are important, extracurricular preparation is also crucial. The program does not require the GRE but does mandate the CASPer test, a situational judgement assessment. Additionally, all non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL scores. The program values hands-on patient care experience, and all healthcare hours are subject to verification. Paid experience is generally weighted more heavily than volunteer work.
The University of Utah's PA program offers a well-rounded and highly regarded education for aspiring physician assistants. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide accessible, fair, and high-quality patient-centred healthcare. The program's emphasis on social consciousness and service to the community further enhances its reputation as a leading institution for training physician assistants.
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The program emphasises evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patient conditions
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant Program is a highly ranked program that emphasises training physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patient conditions. The program's mission-based curriculum aims to educate physician assistants to work collaboratively with physicians to improve primary care quality and accessibility.
The program focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and managing acute and chronic conditions in patients across all age groups. To achieve this, the curriculum incorporates didactic semesters and supervised clinical practice. During the didactic component, students develop essential physical examination techniques and diagnostic skills. They learn about common medical conditions and receive instruction in health issues specific to diverse communities, such as geriatrics, pediatrics, and emergency medicine.
The University of Utah's program emphasises hands-on experience, with the first Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) occurring during the last four weeks of the fourth semester. This practical training allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Additionally, the program emphasises person-centred care, which includes patient-specific assessment, evaluation, and management. Students are taught to gather comprehensive information about patients through history-taking, physical examinations, and diagnostic testing. They learn to interpret data based on patient preferences, scientific evidence, and clinical judgment to make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment.
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant Program also promotes critical thinking and investigative skills in clinical contexts. Students are trained to access and interpret credible medical information sources and apply epidemiological principles to identify health problems, risk factors, and treatment strategies. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped to evaluate, diagnose, and manage a wide range of patient conditions effectively and compassionately.
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Applicants must take a situational judgement test (CASPer) and a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if a non-native speaker
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant program has been ranked #3 in the nation. The program trains students to become highly proficient, socially conscious, and accountable physician assistants in the primary care model. The mission of the curriculum is to educate physician assistants to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in patients of all ages.
To apply to the University of Utah's Physician Assistant program, applicants must meet certain requirements. One such requirement is taking a situational judgement test called CASPer. The CASPer test is a type of psychological test that presents applicants with realistic hypothetical scenarios and asks how they would respond to each situation. It is designed to determine behavioural tendencies and assess an individual's decision-making skills. The test takes around 60-90 minutes to complete and costs $10, plus an additional $10 for each school the applicant designates to receive their results. It is recommended that applicants familiarize themselves with the test format and technical requirements beforehand.
Non-native English speakers applying to the University of Utah's Physician Assistant program must also take the TOEFL iBT test. This test measures an applicant's ability to combine listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in an academic context. It is accepted worldwide and can be taken at a test center or at home. The TOEFL iBT test provides institutions with access to students who have proven their proficiency in English and are likely to succeed in an English-speaking academic environment.
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The University encourages students to shadow PAs to gain insight into the profession
The University of Utah's Physician Assistant (PA) program is ranked 3rd in the nation. The University encourages students to shadow PAs to gain insight into the profession. Shadowing a PA early on can help students make informed decisions about pursuing PA school. It is a great way to understand the sights, sounds, and smells associated with the profession, as well as the dynamics of the PA-doctor relationship and the level of independence PAs have in their practice.
Students can start by calling offices to find shadowing opportunities. Most PA schools prefer applicants to have experience shadowing a variety of PAs in different specialties. This can be done through paid or volunteer work. While good grades and test scores are important, extracurricular preparation is also vital. Schools look for students who have developed a service-oriented outlook through various activities.
The University of Utah requires students to have hands-on patient care experience. All forms of healthcare experience are accepted, with direct patient care being the most preferred. Students can gain this experience in various ways, such as CNA, EMT, Hospice, or medical assisting. This experience allows students to interact with patients and prepare for medical school.
The University's mission-based curriculum emphasizes educating PAs to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions in patients of all ages using a primary care model. The program trains PAs to work with physicians to improve the quality and access to primary care. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.
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