2026-2027 Academic Catalog
Physician Assistant Studies, MPAS JMU

Physician Assistant Studies, M.P.A.S.

Program Director: Jerry Weniger
Medical Director: Abby Massey
Phone: (540) 568-2395
Email: paprogram@jmu.edu
Program Website

Mission

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prepares students for clinical positions as primary care physician assistants. The course of study requires 28 consecutive months of work for students who have met the prerequisite requirements and been admitted to the program. Admission is limited and competitive. Students must be admitted to The Graduate School and to the PA master's degree program via separate application processes.

Physician assistants are highly skilled medical professionals who have for over 50 years functioned as members of a team delivering quality healthcare. Working with physicians, PAs provide medical services traditionally performed by physicians. These services include taking medical histories, performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, educating and counseling patients, performing minor medical/surgical procedures, and prescribing medications.

PAs practice in outpatient facilities, hospitals, managed care clinics, and in rural and urban areas.

Program Required Competencies

  1. Medical Knowledge (MK)
    1. MK-1 Applies foundational medical knowledge to diagnose and manage medical conditions
    2. MK-2 Interprets diagnostic studies accurately
    3. MK-3 Integrates evidence-based guidelines into clinical decision-making
    4. MK-4 Utilizes public heath principles to address risk reduction and promote wellness
  2. Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS)
    1. CTS-1 Performs complete and focused medical histories and physical exams and distinguishes normal from abnormal findings
    2. CTS-2 Develops and implements appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic management plans

    3. CTS-3 Performs technical skills safely and accurately

    4. CTS-4 Provides patient counseling that integrates disease education, medication instruction, lifestyle modification, and follow-up planning.

  3. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (CRPS)

    1. CRPS-1 Formulates accurate differential diagnoses based on patient presentation

    2. CRPS-2 Develops and implements appropriate diagnostic and management plans by integrating evidence-based medicine, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving strategies

  4. Interpersonal Skills (IS)
    1. IS-1 Communicates clearly, compassionately, and respectfully 
    2. IS-2 Adapts communication to align with the patient’s health literacy and cultural background
    3. IS-3 Delivers oral and written clinical documentation accurately
    4. IS-4 Communicates effectively with members of the healthcare team
  5. Professional Behaviors (PB)
    1. PB-1 Demonstrates ethical decision-making and professional integrity
    2. PB-2 Exhibits respect, empathy, and cultural humility
    3. PB-3 Accepts responsibility, responds to feedback, and maintains professional boundaries
    4. PB-4 Adheres to legal and regulatory standards of PA practice

Licensure/Certification

This program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please refer to the JMU Professional Licensure Program Status by Jurisdiction Index to determine if this JMU program meets the educational requirements specified by the associated licensing or certification agency in the state or territory in which you are located and other states and territories. Requirements vary by state and are subject to change. The information provided is current as of the review date indicated in the table.

Accreditation

The PA program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. Accreditation provides graduates eligibility to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Successful completion of the PANCE is required for graduates to be licensed to practice.

Program Policies

Academic standards: The PA Program defines satisfactory academic progress as achieving a minimum grade of "B," or 3.0, in each course. The PA Academic Review Committee reviews all performance that falls below this standard. In accord with each circumstance, the committee recommends a course of action to the department head. Students do not progress to clinical rotations until the committee is satisfied that they have achieved minimal mastery of the didactic course work of the first year. The policies of The Graduate School regarding unsatisfactory progress also apply.

Advanced standing: Students are required to take all the courses in the curriculum at JMU. No advanced standing is given for experience, transfer credit or credit by exam.

Scheduling: The PA program is a full-time curriculum. Students are required to take courses in the sequence and during the semesters they are scheduled. There is no part-time or extended time option.

Clinical rotations: Rotations during the clinical year are done at sites distant from the university. Students must have transportation and must pay for secondary housing and transportation costs. The program assigns students to multiple clinical sites during the clinical year. Students do not choose the sites of their clinical rotations.

The physician assistant program requires a criminal background check as well as drug screening testing. The expenses of these will be an incurred expense by the enrolled student.