MSPAS for the Practicing Physician Assistant Fall Semester classes begin the end of August
Spring Semester classes begin the first week of January
Program Overview The purpose of the program leading to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) is to provide the practicing Physician Assistant access to a graduate degree. Coursework will be provided using WebCT, an Internet-based educational program for the delivery of courses. The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) have both adopted a policy statement that acknowledges the graduate degree as the appropriate entry-level degree for the profession. Eighty percent (80%) of the nationally accredited physician assistant programs now confer master's degrees. Many of the other programs are planning to implement a master's degree. According to the AAPA, thirty percent (29%) of the profession earned master's degrees from their PA programs. Traditionally, an additional 36 semester hours are required to earn a master's degree. Physician Assistant education provided by an accredited program prepares the PA to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician. During this preparation, the PA completes more than 100 semester hours of coursework. There are some significant differences between the BS/BA earned from a PA program and the MSPAS degree, and this program is designed to address those differences. Curriculum (Course Descriptions) The combination of previous educational accomplishments during the applicant's PA education and these additional twelve semester hours will result in the conferral of an MSPAS. The required three-credit courses are: - HP-600 Research Methodology
- PA-647 Advanced Clinical Problem Solving
- PA-639 Evidence Based Medicine
- PA-688 Graduate Project
Admissions Prerequisites include: - Bachelor's degree from an accredited physician assistant program
- Certification by the National Commission on the Certification of the Physician Assistant (NCCPA)
- Licensed to practice medicine in your state
- Letter of recommendation from your supervising physician
How to apply Applications are available on the Web at http://www.musc.edu/em/admissions. Costs (Tuition) Students must have a computer available with high speed Internet access via either a cable modem or DSL service. The computer must have web browser capability to access WebCT. Tuition for South Carolina residents an non-residents can be found on the Office of Enrollment Management Website. Students registered for two courses (six semester hours) are eligible for financial aid. Part-time students may defer current student loan payments. Enrollment is limited to 20 students per course.Faculty Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C
Paul F. Jacques, DHS, PA-C
Martha Green, PA-C
Mary Hewett, PA-C
Arnie Metz, PA-C
Kevin Harmon, PA-C For further information Contact Paul F. Jacques at (843) 792-2649 or jacquesp@musc.edu | 
