The Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP), offered by the USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program, trains students in a range of social and behavioral sciences required for competent clinical practice. Physician assistants are educated in basic medical sciences and clinical disciplines, including human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and clinical laboratory medicine. Further, PA students are taught to hone the cognitive skills required for medical decision-making. The 33-month program utilizes training locations throughout the greater Los Angeles region, and is part of the Department of Family Medicine of the Keck School of Medicine.

MISSION STATEMENT

The USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to the advancement of physician assistant education and emphasizes service to the medically underserved. The Program is committed to preparing students from a wide variety of backgrounds to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. Emphasis is placed upon understanding and appreciating diversity. The Program aims to prepare its graduates to practice and promote primary health care of the highest quality as part of a multidisciplinary team.

GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

Education: Provide excellent primary care educational instruction and professional development to PA students and promote the growth and development of PA education.

Diversity: Emphasize diversity in the selection of students and faculty, and in the curriculum.

Quality: Promote excellence in healthcare through carefully considered admissions policies, a well-prepared faculty, and primary care instruction.

Service: Encourage service to the medically underserved.

ACCREDITATION

The USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), which is sponsored by seven national medical associations, including the American Medical Association. The Physician Assistant Committee (PAC) is a division of the Medical Board of California, and has approved the Program.  All Program graduates must pass a Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to be eligible for licensure in California.

The Program's current accreditation runs through March 2011.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT NATIONAL CERTIFYING EXAMINATION (PANCE) RESULTS

Program graduates have traditionally performed well on the PANCE.  The PA Program graduated its first master's degree class in 2003.  Since then, the Program's first time test-taker average of 93.8% is above the national mean of 91.5%.