Physician Assistant
Degree Awarded
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.)
Program Delivery
On-Campus
Locations Available
West Lebanon, New Hampshire
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program is designed to train outstanding PAs who are compassionate, patient-centered providers. Explore an environment where you will engage in clinical training experiences among diverse patient populations. U.S. News & World Report (2021) named Physician Assistant the #1 Best Job, and the program was ranked #2 in the nation by the Rural Health Research Center (2016) for producing a high proportion of graduates that go on to work in rural healthcare. Your clinical training will include rotations throughout the underserved regions of New Hampshire and Vermont. The program is unique in its emphasis on collaborative medicine and support of life-long learning. Develop hands-on, practical skills at the Lebanon, New Hampshire campus. In addition to classroom instruction, local clinical experience is a vital component to the program. Full-time courses are designed for program completion in 27 months.
Apply to This Program NowProgram Highlights
The program was ranked #2 in the nation by the Rural Health Research Center (2016) for producing a high proportion of graduates that go on to work in rural healthcare. Your clinical training will include rotations throughout the underserved regions of New Hampshire and Vermont.
The program is unique in its emphasis on collaborative medicine and support of life-long learning. Develop hands-on, practical skills at the Lebanon, New Hampshire campus. In addition to classroom instruction, local clinical experience is a vital component to the program. Full-time courses are designed for program completion in 27 months.
Recognized as Community Star
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program Director Kristi Collins, MS, PA-C has been named New Hampshire’s 2022 Community Star, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) recently announced.
Read more about this honor
Where Can a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree take me?
Class of 2022
PANCE Pass Rate
Just 27 months
to program completion
Additional Resources
- Accreditation
- PANCE Pass Rates
- Student Attrition Information
- Shadowing Verification
- PA Student Handbook
- Financing Your Education
Mission & Goals
The mission of the Franklin Pierce University Physician Assistant Program is to prepare PAs who demonstrate clinical excellence; embrace diversity, equity and inclusion; advocate for their patients; lead and advance the profession; and serve their communities.
| Program Goals | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare students to function as competent healthcare providers in primary care settings. |
(last updated: April 2022) |
| 2. Nurture student progress to optimize professional growth and retention. |
(average of the last 3 cohorts to graduate) |
| 3. Recruit students from rural and underserved communities, particularly those from New Hampshire and Vermont. |
(average of the last 3 cohorts to matriculate) |
| 4. Train students in rural and medically underserved communities with a focus on New Hampshire and Vermont. |
Students receiving clinical training in NH/VT: 100% |
| 5. Graduate students who practice in rural and medically underserved communities with emphasis on New Hampshire and Vermont. |
(last updated: December 2018) |
Admissions Requirements
All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better and be completed prior to matriculation. Applicants must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants may apply with up to two outstanding prerequisites.
- Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits) - lab required
- Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits) - lab required
- Chemistry I (4 credits) - lab required
- Chemistry II (4 credits) - lab required
- Biology (4 credits) - lab required
- Microbiology (4 credits) - lab required
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (4 credits) - lab required
Recommended Courses (not required)
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Nutrition
- Psychology
Applicants are required to shadow at least 20 hours with a PA in order to be eligible for review. Due to challenges with obtaining in-person shadowing opportunities due to the restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shadowing hours may be virtual for the April – November 2021 CASPA cycle only. The PA Shadowing form must be signed by the PA you shadowed or by an individual with authority to attest to the number of hours you shadowed a PA or number of PAs.
After verifying that the minimum requirements for admission are met (see above), the program will evaluate each candidate’s academic achievements, personal attributes and experiences. Factors given specific consideration are listed below. Please note that none of these factors, alone or in combination, guarantees admission. However, all else being equal, candidates who demonstrate a greater number of these factors will generally be in a better position for an interview and for admission.
- Overall GPA or Science GPA of 3.5 and above
- Research, publications or presentations
- Overcoming significant life adversities and struggles
- Multi-lingual ability
- Work Experience
- Military or government service (including spouse)
- Voluntary service
- Medical or healthcare experience
- Franklin Pierce University student or alumni
- Resident of Vermont or New Hampshire
- From an underserved or rural area or extensive experience with populations from underserved/rural areas
Tuition and fees
| Pmaster of physician assistant studies (mpas) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition Full-Time |
|
| Late Payment Fee |
|
| PA Medical Kit |
|
| Equipment, Lab Coat, Patches |
|
| Books (total for program) |
|
| Memberships (SAAAPA and NH/VT) |
|
| Health Insurance * |
|
| ACLS Certification | $225 (one-time fee) |
| Criminal Background ** | $150 and up |
| Graduation Fee | $200 |
| MPAS Student Fee | $500 charged third term annually |
* Franklin Pierce University does not provide health insurance coverage to students. However, all students must provide documentation of health insurance coverate in Castle Branch. Maintenance of health requirements as determined by clinical rotation sites, not covered by student's health insurance (i.e. annual physical, immunizations and titers, urine drug screen etc.) are the responsibility of the student.
** Costs very based on the number of times you have moved in the past 7 years.
Note During the clinical year, students must have reliable transportation and may be required to stay out of the area for up to 5 weeks at a time. The cost of transportation and housing for the clinical year is the responsibility of the student nad will vary based on placement
“I knew from the time that I decided to become a PA that I wanted to keep my training in New Hampshire. As a New Hampshirite, it was important to me to be able to care for the community that raised and taught me. Through the MPAS program at FPU, I was able to establish local connections with world-class health care and found myself in a rewarding position where I can reach a broad area of patients while staying close to family, friends, and everything else I love about Northern New England.”
Apply Now
Applications are accepted through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applications must include 3 letters of recommendation and be submitted by November 1 for the following year and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplemental materials, which must also be submitted through CASPA by the November 1 deadline, include an updated resume and a signed P.A. Shadowing Form reflecting a minimum of 20 shadowing hours completed with a PA-C.
CONTACT Admissions Team
Physician Assistant Admissions
Lebanon, NH Center
(603) 298-6617
paprogram@franklinpierce.edu
