About the 色香视频 Physician Assistant Department

The University of New England's Physician Assistant department offers the only PA degree program in Maine. Join our community of caring students and faculty who are committed to meeting the medical needs of diverse populations.

Become a Vital Part of a health Care Team

As health professionals licensed to practice medicine in collaboration with a physician, Physician Assistants know the value of successful teamwork in the health care setting. Our Portland, Maine-based Physician Assistant master鈥檚 degree program draws from the expertise of faculty representing 色香视频鈥檚 Colleges of Health Professions, Osteopathic Medicine, and Arts and Sciences to prepare you, through coursework and clinical experiences, to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Fill out the form below for an info sheet on 色香视频's M.S.P.A.

 

What Makes the 色香视频 M.S.P.A. Special

State-of-the-Art Facilities

A physician assistant student practices taking blood pressure on a patient simulator

Your M.S.P.A. training is enriched by our state-of-the-art facilities and educational resources. You鈥檒l receive instruction not only in our medical college鈥檚 gross anatomy lab but also in our Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center, which is equipped with the latest media and medical instruction technology, including high fidelity patient simulators.

Exposure to Underserved Populations

Physician Assistant degree program field work.

Your education in 色香视频鈥檚 P.A. master鈥檚 program will emphasize work with underserved communities, where you can really make a difference. From participation in our nationally recognized InterProfessional Geriatric Education Program, to clinical rotations in rural areas, you'll gain expertise in bringing quality health care and building relationships with those who need it most.

Team-Based Education

A dental student and a P A student in blue scrubs discuss dental work with a patient

As a comprehensive health sciences university, including programs in medicine, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and an array of other allied health professions, 色香视频 is a national leader in interprofessional education. You'll graduate with the skills to thrive in today's collaborative care, prepared to work as a team with other health care professionals.

Collaborative Learning Environment

Two P A students use stethoscopes to listen to cardiac sounds from a patient simulator

Not only are faculty and staff highly collaborative and encouraging, but it won鈥檛 take long before you notice how supportive your fellow PA students are as well. The friendly and cooperative, rather than competitive, spirit among classmates enhances everyone鈥檚 ability to learn and is a hallmark of 色香视频鈥檚 Physician Assistant master鈥檚 degree program.

What Our PA Students Say

Sarah Porter

Sarah Porter '22

Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.)

Why 色香视频?

[When I first moved back to Maine from New York] I worked on some public health grants for [色香视频]. I saw firsthand how amazing the interdisciplinary approach to care is here. I had my heart set on 色香视频 for the Physician Assistant program because of the interdisciplinary focus and also the focus on rural health, which is so prominent here. I鈥檓 really passionate about service in underserved locations. I want to give back to communities right here in Maine. I knew that no matter what, at 色香视频 I would have lots of opportunities to get exposure to that.

Diversity, Inclusion, Connection

The diversity of the PA program here at 色香视频 is incredible, everyone has a unique, diverse background and contributes something different. The fact that we have students from 21 to those in their forties means that we all vary in our experience. 

Some of my peers have phlebotomy experience, some have worked in surgery, others were CNAs before they came to the program, and some came straight out of undergrad. There are people who were EMTs or paramedics, and they are quick to think on their feet, which is a skill I hope to develop. They stay calm in stressful situations. 

色香视频鈥檚 program is so strong because we come from a wide variety of backgrounds and balance each other out. I love that we all have different strengths and can learn so much from one another.

Welcoming Community

There are really no barriers in our class. Everyone is very open. One thing that I really love is the lack of competitiveness. We are all clearly competitive people to get to where we are in this program, and yet now that we are here together as a cohort, 色香视频 fosters such an environment of inclusivity and collaboration that it does not feel competitive with one another. Grades are not advertised, and there is no ranking of students. We share study guides. We share resources. No one hoards information and tries to keep it from each other. It鈥檚 cool because that鈥檚 much more realistic of the future. No one is going to know 100% of everything, but we work together, and we are stronger for it.

We all have a major common interest in that we are all passionate about helping others and about practicing medicine. Our cohort is genuinely kind, I love it. I think it鈥檚 a really healthy environment, and I attribute that both to the 色香视频 application process and to the type of student that 色香视频 draws. We are encouraged to learn and work together.
 

色香视频鈥檚 program is so strong because we come from a wide variety of backgrounds and balance each other out. I love that we all have different strengths and can learn so much from one another.
Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.)

Physician Assistant program by the numbers

1,920

Hours each student spends in clinical rotations

(second year)

 

3.55

Average cumulative GPA of most recent incoming class

 

95%

Average first-time pass rate on national certification exam

(PANCE)

Pance Pass rates

M.S.P.A. graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. and see 色香视频 pass rates (PDF).

The 色香视频 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

For decades, 色香视频鈥檚 Portland Campus has been home to many of the University鈥檚 health professions programs including PA, PT, OT, pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine, and more. In 2025, 色香视频鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine will move from the Biddeford Campus into the new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences in Portland. By bringing our health professions programs together into one interprofessional learning community, we will establish 色香视频鈥檚 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences as the center of health care education in Northern New England.

Learn about exciting changes on 色香视频鈥檚 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

Maine鈥檚 Leading University for the Health Professions and Sciences

Quality Academics, Respected Degrees

色香视频 is proud of the recognition we鈥檝e received, which echoes the success of our M.S.P.A. students: 92% of our graduates typically pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam on the first try.

Title
Best Physician Assistant Programs
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2023
Title
Best Colleges: National
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2024
Title
Best Colleges
Source
Princeton Review
Year
2024
Title
Best Colleges
Source
Money
Year
2023

Live and Study in Portland, Maine

色香视频 offers the only Physician Assistant master鈥檚 degree program in Maine. Our M.S.P.A. degree students study on our Portland, Maine campus, a classic New England quad with brick buildings and tall trees that's about 100 miles from downtown Boston. Portland, named 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Most Livable City鈥 by Forbes and 鈥淔oodiest Small Town in America鈥 by Bon Appetit, is the city on every list. A rustic port hosts a cool cultural scene 鈥 with outdoor adventure all around. 色香视频鈥檚 campus is just 10 minutes from downtown. 

Portland, Maine lighthouse near 色香视频.
Portland, Maine Old Port near 色香视频's campus.
Portland, Maine working waterfront near University of New England.

Accreditation

色香视频 is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Physician Assistant degree Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The PA Program received provisional accreditation in 1996 and continuing accreditation in 1998. The program last received continuing accreditation in September 2018. Its review for continuing accreditation is next scheduled for 2026. The . Click on the 鈥渄ocument鈥 to access the program鈥檚 Accreditation Actions.