Discover UNT Health’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program

Located for more than 20 years in the heart of the Fort Worth, Texas, Cultural District, our UNT Health Physician Assistant Studies program has proudly helped shape the PAs that make a difference in our community. We are continually improving as we create experiential learning opportunities that prepare our graduates to begin an exciting medical career in one of the top professions in the country. Our graduate performance on the national certifying exam is exceptional and underscores our commitment to true interprofessional education. We teach beyond written exams giving our learners the hands-on confidence to be truly outstanding health care providers.

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is the academic home for students, faculty and staff involved in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree curriculum. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, graduates receive an MPAS degree. The MPAS curriculum prepares students for entry into clinical practice as a physician assistant.

US News and World Report magazine has ranked our program in the top 13th tier of graduate-level physician assistant programs in the nation.

We provide students with an environment that is both conducive to learning the art and science of medical practice and to helping our students achieve individual growth as healthcare professionals.

Our program was first established in 1997. Today, our program is housed within the College of Health Professions.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to UNT Health Fort Worth Physician Assistant Program sponsored by UNT Health Fort Worth. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by ARC-PA will be September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-north-texas-hsc/.

The mission of the program is to create solutions for a healthier community by preparing graduates with knowledge and skills needed for physician assistant practice, emphasizing primary care medicine and meeting the healthcare needs of underserved populations.

Student Graduation Rates

*Attrition rate calculation:  Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).

**Graduation rate calculation:  Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).

All students enrolled in the Physician Assistant Studies Program curriculum must meet certain health and technical standards in order to fully participate in the educational programs contained in the curriculum.

See Health and Technical Standards

Expected Physician Assistant Competencies

Medical Knowledge

• • Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, genetics and molecular mechanisms of disease to medical conditions
  • Create a pharmacologic treatment plan suitable to the acuity of the condition
  • Construct a patient-specific disease prevention plan that emphasizes lifestyle choices, complementary and alternative treatment options, screening recommendations and disease prevention
  • Interpret current and credible sources of medical information 

Interpersonal skills

• • Utilize effective communication skills to establish therapeutic relationships with patients, their families and support systems
  • Provide effective patient-centered education
  • Communicate professionally within the interprofessional healthcare team

Clinical Skills

• • Obtain a thorough patient history
  • Perform a thorough physical examination
  • Present a patient encounter in an organized and concise manner to other healthcare professionals

Technical Skills

• • Accurately document the full scope of a clinical encounter that satisfies requirements for medical, legal, quality and financial purposes
  • Perform clinical procedures with technical accuracy

Clinical Reasoning & Problem Solving

• • Differentiate normal from abnormal physical exam findings as part of the clinical decision-making process
  • Utilize all available clinical information to develop and refine a differential diagnosis
  • Interpret diagnostic study results as part of the clinical problem-solving process
  • Utilize available clinical and patient information to create a patient-management plan
  • Determine patient disposition with regard to both the clinical setting, patient situation and need for referral/consultation

Professional Behaviors

• • Perform as a dependable member of the interprofessional healthcare team
  • Treat all patients equally

Societal Responsibility

• • Communicate to diverse patient populations with cultural humility and responsiveness
  • Identify social determinants that contribute to healthcare disparities

• TAPA
• AAPA
• NCCPA
• TMB
• PA Jobs

To see a breakdown of Cost of Attendance (COA), tuition and fees,
click here.

The COA is based on anticipated enrollment of 10 credit hours for summer, 20 credit hours for fall, and 20 credit hours for spring. The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses. Since the COA is based on average costs, your actual expenses may be different. To help determine your actual tuition and fee charges, you can view the Tuition and Fee Link at https://www.unthsc.edu/tuition-and-fees/

*The COA is based on anticipated enrollment of 18 credit hours for fall, and 18 credit hours for spring.
**The COA is based on anticipated enrollment of 10 credit hours for summer, 20 credit hours for fall, and 20 credit hours for spring.
***The COA is based on anticipated enrollment of 10 credit hours for summer, 18 credit hours for fall, and 18 credit hours for spring.

All fees are subject to change.

Requirements for Graduation

Students who have met all course requirements and have been recommended for graduation may be awarded the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree provided they meet all of the conditions listed below:

1. 1. Have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements of the Physician Assistant Studies Program
   2. Have complied with all legal and financial requirements of UNT Health Fort Worth.
   3. Have exhibited the ethical, professional, behavioral and personal characteristics necessary for practice as a PA
   4. Have completed and returned to the Physician Assistant Studies Program or the Office of the Registrar all graduation forms and paperwork required by the Physician Assistant Studies Program and the institution.
   5. Have met other time limits listed below:
   6. The maximum time limit for completing all graduation requirements is 72 months.
   7. Rarely, students may be required to meet additional requirements to meet other health science center, state or national regulations.

Students who do not fulfill all graduation requirements by the day of graduation will not be allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies without permission of the dean (or designee). Students will not be considered graduates in any capacity until they have successfully completed all graduation requirements.

The program is 120 credits in length.

Program structure and timeline

• • Didactic phase (i.e. the first 18 months)
    • • Coursework in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical sciences and clinical skills
      • Hands-on training through laboratory sessions, simulations and case-based learning
  • Clinical phase (i.e. the final 12 months)
    • • Supervised clinical rotations in various specialties such as primary care, underserved, emergency medicine, surgery and pediatrics
      • Exposure to varied patient populations and real-world medical settings
      • Integration of classroom knowledge into practical experience

• • Strong national reputation and accreditation

    • • Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant

      • PANCE pass rate exceeding national average

      • Recognized for producing highly skilled, patient-centered PAs

      • Faculty members are experienced healthcare professionals and educators.

  • Innovative, hands-on learning
    • • State-of-the-art simulation labs for real-world clinical training
      • Early patient exposure to reinforce classroom learning
      • Emphasis on interprofessional education, which facilitates collaboration with medical, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and public health students
  • Comprehensive clinical training
    • • Clinical rotations in specialties such as primary care, emergency medicine and surgery
      • Strong partnerships with facilities such as renowned hospital systems and clinics
      • Opportunities to work with underserved communities, gaining valuable real-world experience
  • Supportive learning environment
    • • Personalized attention with strong faculty advising and low faculty-to-student ratio
      • Career development resources such as job placement support and networking opportunities
      • Dedicated student services committed to academic success and well-being of the students
  • Commitment to advancing healthcare
    • • Focus on evidence-based medicine and outcome-driven patient care
      • Opportunities for research and leadership in the healthcare field
      • A mission-driven approach to improving healthcare access and quality

       

      In conclusion, UNT Health’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program equips students with expert training, hands-on experience and strong clinical partnerships to excel in patient care and advance their careers in healthcare.

       

      Apply today to UNT Health’s Masters of Physician Assistant Studies program in order to take the next step in your career.
      Apply Today

Innovative technology for hands-on learning

• • State-of-the-art simulation lab and technology
    • • Advanced patient simulators replicate real-world medical scenarios. In short, this allows students to practice clinical decision-making in a controlled environment.
      • Virtual reality and augmented reality are used to enhance learning.
      • Telemedicine exposure to develop skills in remote patient care and virtual consultations
  • Cutting-edge medical imaging and diagnostic tools
    • • Hands-on experience with point-of-care ultrasound in order to improve diagnostic accuracy
      • Training in clinical interpretation of lab values and radiographic studies

In conclusion, by incorporating the latest technology into the curriculum, UNT Health ensures that its PA program graduates are well-prepared to provide high-quality, tech-driven patient care.

Apply today to UNT Health’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program today in order to take advantage of a cutting-edge education.

• • National average salary
    • • According to the recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physician assistants earn an average salary of $133,260 in 2024.
      • Physician assistant salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, medical specialty and work setting. Salaries can range from $100,000 to more than $160,000.

• • Job outlook and career growth
    • • The PA profession is expected to grow 28% by 2033, markedly faster than the average for all occupations.
      • PAs have strong earning potential due to their versatility in multiple medical specialties.

High job growth and demand

• • The demand for PAs continues to rise due to:
    • • A growing and aging population
      • Physician shortages, making PAs essential in medical teams
      • An emphasis on cost-effective, team-based healthcare

Expanding career opportunities

• • Hospitals (e.g. emergency medicine, surgery, internal medicine)
  • Primary care clinics (e.g. family medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics)
  • Specialty practices (e.g. dermatology, orthopedics, cardiology)
  • Academic and research institutions
  • Rural and underserved healthcare (e.g. federal and public health services)

Competitive salary and career stability

• • Average Salaries: The average annual salary for PAs is $130,490.
    • • Salaries range from $100,000 to $160,000-plus, depending on factors such as specialty, experience and location.
      • PAs enjoy high job security due to their critical role in the healthcare system.

Opportunities for career advancement

• • Many PAs transition into leadership roles, such as:
    • • Clinical directors
      • Medical educators
      • Healthcare administrators
  • Some PAs pursue fellowships or doctoral-level education in order to further enhance their expertise.

Strong foundation in medical sciences

• • Human anatomy and physiology with cadaver lab
  • Pathophysiology of diseases across all organ systems
  • Pharmacology and clinical therapeutics
  • Medical microbiology and immunology
  • Evidence-based medicine and clinical research
  • Hands-on application of clinical knowledge and skills

Comprehensive clinical training

• • Primary care and family medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Emergency medicine
  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry and behavioral health
  • Women’s health
  • Underserved healthcare

Dedicated PANCE preparation

• • Board-style practice exams that simulate the real PANCE experience
  • Timed mock exams and diagnostic tests to assess strengths and weaknesses
  • Small group case-based discussions to reinforce high-yield concepts
  • Faculty-led PANCE prep reviews

Emphasis on clinical reasoning and decision-making

• • Problem-based learning and case studies to improve clinical reasoning.
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examinations assess hands-on skills through standardized patient interactions.
  • Simulation labs provide experience with complex medical cases prior to clinical rotations.

Strong PANCE pass rates

UNT Health offers various financial aid options such as scholarships, grants and loans to assist students in managing educational expenses. Nevertheless, it is advised to explore these opportunities early to determine your eligibility and application requirements.

• • Scholarships and grants: UNT Health provides various scholarships and grants based on merit and financial need. Students are encouraged to explore these opportunities through the UNT Health Financial Aid Office.
  • Federal student aid: By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, students may qualify for federal loans and work-study programs. Detailed information is available on the UNT Health Financial Aid website.
  • External scholarships: Students can also seek external scholarships specific to physician assistant studies through professional organizations and foundations.

PA Foundation scholarships

• • PA Foundation scholarship: Multiple awards of $1,000 each
  • AAPA Past Presidents Scholarship: Awards of $2,000 each to students demonstrating service leadership

For more details, visit the PA Foundation’s scholarship page.

Specialty organization scholarships

• • Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology Scholarship: A $2,500 award for a PA student in their clinical year with a strong interest in oncology
  • American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants Susan and Tom Lusty Memorial Scholarship: At least one $1,000 award annually to PA students in their didactic or clinical year interested in surgical practice.
  • Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship: Two $5,000 awards to clinical-year PA students with an interest in orthopedics.

State chapter scholarships

Many state PA associations offer scholarships to students residing in or attending PA programs within their state. For example:

• • Texas Academy of Physician Assistants: Offers a $1,000 scholarship to TAPA student members enrolled in a Texas PA program who have completed at least one semester.

Other notable scholarships

• • National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
    • • Offers scholarships to PA students committed to practicing primary care in underserved areas. The scholarship covers tuition, fees and provides a living stipend. In return, recipients commit to a minimum of two years of service in a Health Professional Shortage Area upon graduation.
  • National Medical Fellowships
    • • Offers need-based and merit scholarships to underrepresented minority students in medicine and health professions.