College of Health Sciences
Locations: Austin, Texas
Formats: On-campus
Program duration: 7 trimesters (2 years, 4 months)*
See Requirements & Program Details
MSPAS at Glance
*In some instances, time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, and other factors.
Announcing the USAHS PA Program
USAHS is excited to announce our new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program. We will begin accepting applications in April 2023 for our first cohort, which will start in January 2024.
As a physician assistant (PA), you can work across a wide variety of practice settings, from emergent care to surgery to family practice. You’ll assume high-level medical responsibilities, such as ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing illnesses, developing and managing treatment plans, prescribing medications, performing surgical procedures, and much more.
The PA curriculum is separated into a didactic phase and a clinical phase. It’s an intensive two-plus years of classroom study and clinical training.
During the four-trimester didactic phase, you will attend classes each weekday on our campus in beautiful Austin, Texas. This phase is followed by a three-trimester clinical phase, where you will complete seven core rotations plus two elective rotations of your choice across a variety of outpatient and inpatient clinical settings.
We expect to receive feedback from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) regarding the program’s provisional accreditation status by October 2023. Accreditation-Provisional is an active accreditation status; all new programs are required to go through a provisional accreditation period prior to receiving full accreditation. PA program graduates will be deemed to have graduated from an accredited program if their PA degree program was accredited at the time of their matriculation.
The PA program curriculum prepares students to offer person-centered, evidence-based care within an interprofessional team environment. It provides core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences in a breadth and depth to prepare students for the clinical practice of medicine. The curriculum totals 115 credits and is designed to be completed over 7 trimesters. In some instances, time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, and other factors.
The Didactic Phase
The first trimester builds a strong base in medical sciences and sets the stage for clinical practice. The next three didactic trimesters begin to mix foundational science material with clinical science to move students toward applying their knowledge and problem-solving in clinical scenarios.
The Clinical Phase
The final three trimesters are supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs). Here, students fully integrate and apply the knowledge they acquired during the didactic phase of their studies. The SCPEs are composed of the following rotations: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, emergency medicine, community behavioral and mental health, surgery, and two electives. The order of the SCPE content for each individual student during the experiential year will vary. Most rotations are 4 weeks.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (PA1 - Didactic) Trimester 1 | |
| PAC 5101 Clinical Anatomy | 5 |
| PAC 5116 Human Physiology and Pathophysiology | 5 |
| PAC 5123 PA Roles and Responsibilities | 2 |
| IPE 7001 IPE and Collaborative Practice | 3 |
| PAC 5128 Pharmacology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 18 |
| Year 1 (PA1 - Didactic) Trimester 2 | |
| PAC 5202 Diagnostic studies and Medical Imaging | 4 |
| PAC 5211 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics 1 | 5 |
| PAC 5219 Patient History | 3 |
| PAC 5227 Interpreting the Medical Literature and EBM | 3 |
| PAC 5207 Nutrition and Wellness | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 18 |
| Year 1 (PA1 - Didactic) Trimester 3 | |
| PAC 5322 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics 2 | 5 |
| PAC 5329 Patient Evaluation | 3 |
| PAC 5344 Social and Behavioral Medicine | 2 |
| PAC 5333 Surgery and Emergency Medicine | 3 |
| IPE 7200 Cultural Competence in Healthcare | 3 |
| PAC 5348 Pediatrics | 2 |
Total Credit Hours | 18 |
| Year 2 (PA2 - Didactic) Trimester 4 | |
| PAC 5433 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics 3 | 5 |
| PAC 5439 Patient Management | 3 |
| PAC 5442 Clinical and Technical skills | 4 |
| PAC 5453 Clinical Integration | 1 |
| PAC 5459 Medical Ethics and Issues in Professional Practice | 3 |
| PAC 5462 Psychosocial Dynamics in Medicine | 2 |
Total Credit Hours | 18 |
| Year 2 (PA3 - Clinical) Trimester 5 | |
| PAC 6501 Formative Experience | 2 |
| PAC 6511 Family Medicine SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6522 Internal Medicine SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6531 Core Content 1 | 2 |
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
| Year 2 (PA3 - Clinical) Trimester 6 | |
| PAC 6533 Pediatric Medicine SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6544 Women's Health SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6655 Emergency Medicine SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6666 Behavioral and Mental Health Care SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6632 Core Content 2 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 17 |
| Year 3 (PA3 - Clinical) Trimester 7 | |
| PAC 6777 Surgery SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6788 Elective SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6799 Radiology SCPE | 4 |
| PAC 6733 Core Content 3 | 1 |
| PAC 6742 Summative Experience (Capstone) | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 14 |
| Didactic | 72 |
| Experiential | 43 |
Total MSPAS Program Credit Hours | 115 |
Note: SCPE = Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPEs).
The order of the specific SCPE content for each individual student during the experiential year will vary.
Admission into the USAHS PA program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and prerequisite courses in the sciences. Most prospective PA students will pursue a science-based bachelor’s degree; however, any major is acceptable if the prerequisite courses are completed.
Prerequisites
All prerequisite science courses must be designed for science majors. Other courses will not be accepted.
Admission to the USAHS PA Program
Entry into the USAHS PA program is a competitive process based on both quantitative and qualitative variables.
Minimum Application Requirements (ALL):
*Note: If you are not using Duet in your program selection, please say “Duet is not required to apply to our program”.
*Note 2: If you are using Duet in your program selection, please say “Duet is required to apply to our program”.
Please also note:
The PA program does not recognize any special populations for the purpose of preference in admissions.
See below for tuition and fee estimates. Tuition is approximately $13,571 per trimester. All tuition and fee numbers are subject to change.
| School Expenses | Tuition and Fees |
| Estimated Tuition for the MSPAS program (effective January 2024) | $95,000.00 |
| Estimated Fees (billed per term) for the MSPAS program (effective January 2024) | $10,000.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $105,000.00 |
| Out-of-pocket one-time Fees for the MSPAS program | |
| Estimated Out-of-pocket fees (effective January 2024) | $1,085.00 |
| Estimated Total Tuition and Fees for the MSPAS program (effective January 2024) | $106,085.00 |
|---|
2023-2024 Estimated Tuition & Fees - Physician Assistant - Austin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residing off Campus | Residing at Home | Overall Cost (7 terms) | ||
| Billable Expenses by Term | Tuition | $13,571.43 | $13,571.43 | $95,000.00 |
| Clinical Fees | $642.85 | $642.85 | $4500.00 | |
| Digital Textbooks and Teaching Material | $285.72 | $285.72 | $2000.00 | |
| Program Fees (supplies, facilities, instruments) | $500.00 | $500.00 | $3500.00 | |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $15,000.00 | $15,000.00 | $105,000.00 | |
| Out-of-pocket one-time fees | Out-of-pocket one-time fees | $120.00 | $120.00 | $120.00 |
| Memberships | $210.00 | $210.00 | $210.00 | |
| External Certifications | $400.00 | $400.00 | $400.00 | |
| Scrubs | $55.00 | $55.00 | $55.00 | |
| Background Check | $300.00 | $300.00 | $300.00 | |
| Estimated Tuition and Fees | $106,085.00 | |||
View our Refund Policy here.
Programmatic Accreditation
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ (USAHS) Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences anticipates matriculating its first MSPAS class in January 2024, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2023 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
However, Accreditation-Provisional is an active accreditation status. PA program graduates will be deemed to have graduated from an accredited program if their PA degree program was accredited at the time of their matriculation.
In the event that the program is not granted Accreditation-Provisional status by the ARC-PA, students accepted into USAHS’ MSPAS program will receive a full refund of their deposit and the program will not matriculate in January 2024.
Institutional Accreditation (Regional)
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001, www.wascsenior.org.
State Approvals
USAHS will begin accepting applications in April 2023 for enrollment in the MSPAS from residents of all U.S. states.
This program is a campus-based program approved to operate on the USAHS Austin, Texas campus. USAHS meets the requirements to offer on-the-ground clinical activities in Texas. USAHS has not made a determination that the program meets the requirements to offer on-the-ground clinical activities in states other than Texas at this time.
Current and admitted students are advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for clinical experiences.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.
The USAHS curriculum meets the educational degree completion requirements for graduates to seek licensure in Texas. The various licensure boards of each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state, and students who intend on moving or returning to a state other than Texas should be aware of the unique requirements for that state. USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in states other than Texas at this time.
PANCE Certification Pass Rates
This program is not yet enrolling students, so no program data is available.
PANCE pass rates will be available and reported here as soon as the first cohort completes the exam.
Attrition Rates
This program is not yet enrolling students, so no program data is available.
The program attrition rates will be available and reported here as soon as the first cohort completes the program.
Program Profile Data
This program is not yet enrolling students, so no program data is available.
The program demographic and profile data will be available and reported here as soon as the first cohort matriculates into the program.
PA Program Director
Michael Roscoe, PhD, PA-C, is an experienced physician assistant (PA) educator and clinician. He has been a PA for more than 20 years, with a primary specialty in emergency medicine. He joined USHAS in March 2021 to launch and direct the University’s new PA program on its Austin, Texas campus.
Dr. Roscoe served as a PA for the U.S. military during two combat tours (Afghanistan 2004–2005, Iraq 2008–2009). He is actively involved in national and state levels of PA leadership, which has included serving on the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Board of Directors and as president of the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants.
His awards include the Distinguished Hoosier Award, the Bronze Star medal during his Afghanistan deployment, and the 2005 Indiana PA of the Year. After authoring numerous journal articles, he received the prestigious American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Paragon Award for publishing in 2007.
Assistant Professor, PA Program
Lindsay Kozicz, MHS, PA-C, is a board-certified PA who is currently serving as an advanced practice provider at the Livestrong Cancer Institutes at UT Austin. Since entering the healthcare field in 2008, she has found a deep passion for both clinical medicine and teaching.
Kozicz worked for three years as the associate director of a PA program in Los Angeles; there, she co-developed a longitudinal social justice curriculum for PA students and served as the community outreach and project development liaison.
In the classroom, she is committed to finding ways to engage students with all learning styles to make learning fun. She joined USAHS in 2022 as an Assistant Professor for its developing MSPAS program.
Throughout her career, Kozicz has developed a deep interest in integrative medicine and the use of adjunctive therapies to support patients and their families, as well as her students. A certified yoga instructor, she enjoys sharing the healing benefits of meditation and movement with her community.
Assistant Professor, PA Program
Sarah Talbot is a board-certified physician assistant whose career has focused on working in orthopedic surgery and pediatric surgical subspecialties. She has also enjoyed working in the allergy/sinus setting and as the area manager for an urgent care house call service.
In 2004, Talbot earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. She obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2006 from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She also has her license as a registered nurse. In 2023, Sarah joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences at the Austin, TX campus as an Assistant Professor.
Director of Clinical Education, PA Program
Elizabeth Blankenship, PA-C, FHM, is the Clinical Education Director of the new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) launching at USAHS, where she will be involved in curriculum development and clinical site placement.
Blankenship has worked in healthcare industry for over 20 years. Currently, she’s a physician assistant hospitalist at Dell Medical School at UT Austin, where she is co-director of the Orthopedic, Urology and Plastic Surgery service lines with a focus on patient-centered care and best practices. She precepts and mentors students who will become advanced practice providers, incorporating principles of interprofessional collaboration.
Before becoming a physician assistant, Blankenship worked as an X-ray and CT scan technologist. She enjoys adventures with her husband, their two sons, and their cat.
PA Program Faculty
Julia Forsberg is a board-certified physician assistant (PA) and educator focused on patient education and empowerment. She began her career as a PA in orthopedic surgery at Texas Orthopedics in Austin, where she worked in both clinical and operating room settings, specializing in total joint replacement.
Thanks to the flexible nature of the PA profession, she then transitioned to outpatient psychiatry at Roots Behavioral Health in Austin. In this role, she honed a different set of skills to bring quality mental health care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. She focused on medication management and provided progressive treatment options such as ketamine therapy.
In 2022, Forsberg joined USAHS. She is excited to lay the groundwork for an innovative, high-quality PA program in the heart of Texas. Among her professional affiliations, she serves as the secretary of the Central Texas PA Society (CTPAS).
Medical Director, PA Program
Dr. Busch is a board-certified internal medicine physician currently in practice as an inpatient academic hospitalist. She is involved in clinical research on COVID-19, medical education, and gender equity research.
Dr. Busch received her MD-PhD from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Her PhD dissertation focused on the initial characterization of TMEM106B, a protein involved in lysosomal pathways which has now been found to be a major proviral host factor for SARS-COV-2. She then went on to complete her internship and residency in internal medicine at UT Southwestern. She enjoys mentoring students and residents and working within a multi-disciplinary team focused on patient care.
Academic Support Specialist, PA Program
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Denay Dowdey has a diverse career background. She has worked as a Paralegal within the corporate law setting for 15 years but also has broad experience working in an administrative capacity. For example, she brings extensive knowledge about contractual agreements between doctors and PAs in the telemedicine market.
Denay joined USAHS’ PA program in July 2022. She is excited to help facilitate positive experiences to ensure that our students are successful in achieving their dreams.
Mission Statement
The mission of USAHS’ PA program is to train physician assistants who will serve their communities by delivering high-quality, value-based healthcare with empathy, compassion, and cultural humility as part of a collaborative healthcare team.
Goals
The PA program aims to:
See this document, “USAHS PA Program: Evidence/Assessment of Goals,” for more detail about how the PA program will achieve its goals.
Philosophy
The PA program leadership and faculty believe in:
We also believe that the art of medicine (focusing on the patient’s values and preferences) is as important as the science of medicine (treatment of a disease).
These beliefs define the USAHS PA program’s “why,” which drives our “what” (the program itself) and our “how.” Our “how” is our purposeful curriculum, student-centered approach, faculty involvement, and collaboration with our partnered health professions. Through our “why” and “how,” we offer an excellent physician assistant program that is designed to train leaders in the community and help increase access to healthcare, especially in the Austin region.
University Core Values
See this pdf for information about the core competencies that students acquire in this program, as well as technical standards that all students must meet.
Click here to review our PA student handbook.
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