School of Health Professions

/Program - FAQ

What are the educational objectives and goals of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program?

Educational Objectives:

  • Educate physician assistants who are qualified by academic and clinical training to provide patient care services with the appropriate supervision of a licensed physician.
  • Provide a course of professional study that will provide graduates with appropriate knowledge of physical and mental function and disease and the skills to accurately and reliably perform the range of health care procedures and duties customarily ascribed to the physician assistant.
  • Furnish instruction that stresses the role of the physician assistant in health maintenance and preventive medicine while considering the social, economic, environmental, cultural, and ethical aspects of the people served.
  • Develop the intellectual, ethical, and professional attitudes and behaviors that generate trust and respect from the patient population served by the physician assistant.
  • Provide educational and clinical experiences that promote understanding of the interdependence of health professionals and that foster the utilization of the interdisciplinary team approach to the delivery of primary health care.
  • Provide didactic and clinical educational experiences in order to prepare physician assistants with the knowledge, technical capabilities, and judgment necessary to perform in a highly professional and skilled capacity.
  • Provide educational experiences that stimulate active learning in the science and art of medicine and foster an appreciation for “lifelong” learning as a practicing professional.
  • Foster development of skills and processes to meet the unique needs of South Texas.  These needs include, but are not limited to understanding the languages and cultural diversity of groups found in the region.
  • Instill a desire and prepare students to enter primary care careers in rural or urban medically underserved areas.
  • Develop a service orientation to the community, profession, and those whose need is greatest.
  • Become the Physician Assistant Program of choice for South Texas citizens.

Educational Goals:

  • Attract a highly qualified and diverse student body: We focus on educating a diverse student body to become excellent health care providers. 
  • Sustain a high first-time Physician Assistant National Certification Exam pass rate. 
  • Cultivate graduates who are competitively marketable as health care providers.

Is the  MPAS program accredited?

Yes. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has been granted to the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio Physician Assistant Studies Program. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. You can learn more about accreditation at

When does the MPAS program begin?

Orientation for new students is typically the first week of June and classes start the following week.

How many applicants do you accept a year?

Forty-five candidates are accepted in the San Antonio Campus and up to 15 at the Laredo extension program once a year.

Is the program a full-time program or can it be taken part-time?

The program is a full-time program. There are no part-time options.

If I have questions about the Physician Assistant Studies program at , who should I contact?

You can email pastudies@uthscsa.edu or call 210-567-4240 to speak with our PA department.