A PA student puts on his white coat during the PA White Coat Ceremony, signifying his transition from student to practitioner.

Physician Assistant, MPA

Work directly with patients and make an impact on community health with your Physician Assistant, MPA.

Why become a PA?

Stopwatch
Less class time

Finish graduate school and receive training in just a quarter of the time of traditional medical school.

Medical professionals
Career flexibility

Choose between specialties and work in different areas of medicine.

Program Benefits

Outstanding outcomes

Master the knowledge needed to excel on your certification exam and gain employment.

Outstanding outcomes

EVMS alumni pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) on their first attempt at a higher rate than the national average. The MPA Class of 2017 received a 100% first-time pass rate on the PANCE.

95% of graduates surveyed from the classes of 2011-2017 are working as physician assistants. Many of them secured employment before graduation.

Medical school environment

Learn through instruction modeled after school of medicine curriculum on the campus of a medical school.

Medical school environment

The PA program is divided into two phases, spanning 28 consecutive months.

Phase I: The 16-month pre-clinical year includes traditional classroom instruction and simulated patient interaction.

Phase II: Nine clinical field experiences provide direct supervised patient care in a variety of medical and surgical disciplines.

PA students also conduct a full cadaver dissection. >>

Community focus

Give back to others through Community-Engaged Learning and volunteer opportunities.

Community focus

PA students run and work in the HOPES student-run free clinic, volunteer with various community organizations and participate in Community Impact Day.

Read about how PA students Kyle Dubay, Demetrio Gant, Jeff Illinik and Elyse Troxell helped two disabled veterans enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting. >>

Outstanding outcomes

Master the knowledge needed to excel on your certification exam and gain employment.

Medical school environment

Learn through instruction modeled after school of medicine curriculum on the campus of a medical school.

Outstanding outcomes

EVMS alumni pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) on their first attempt at a higher rate than the national average. The MPA Class of 2017 received a 100% first-time pass rate on the PANCE.

95% of graduates surveyed from the classes of 2011-2017 are working as physician assistants. Many of them secured employment before graduation.

Community focus

Give back to others through Community-Engaged Learning and volunteer opportunities.

Outstanding outcomes

Master the knowledge needed to excel on your certification exam and gain employment.

Medical school environment

Learn through instruction modeled after school of medicine curriculum on the campus of a medical school.

Community focus

Give back to others through Community-Engaged Learning and volunteer opportunities.

Outstanding outcomes

EVMS alumni pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) on their first attempt at a higher rate than the national average. The MPA Class of 2017 received a 100% first-time pass rate on the PANCE.

95% of graduates surveyed from the classes of 2011-2017 are working as physician assistants. Many of them secured employment before graduation.

Medical school environment

The PA program is divided into two phases, spanning 28 consecutive months.

Phase I: The 16-month pre-clinical year includes traditional classroom instruction and simulated patient interaction.

Phase II: Nine clinical field experiences provide direct supervised patient care in a variety of medical and surgical disciplines.

PA students also conduct a full cadaver dissection. >>

Community focus

PA students run and work in the HOPES student-run free clinic, volunteer with various community organizations and participate in Community Impact Day.

Read about how PA students Kyle Dubay, Demetrio Gant, Jeff Illinik and Elyse Troxell helped two disabled veterans enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting. >>

Play a critical role in healthcare. Become a Physician Assistant.

Learn by doing

Work with standardized patients in the Sentara Center for Simulation & Immersive Learning at EVMS. Standardized patients are individuals trained to:

  • portray a patient with a specific condition in a realistic, standardized and repeatable way,
  • document learner performance,
  • provide feedback on both clinical and interpersonal skills and
  • realistically represent patient satisfaction. 

Caring and accessible faculty

Join a program with compassionate mentors and teachers who are dedicated to seeing their students succeed.

"I don't think my experience at EVMS would be as rich or rewarding as it has been without the authentic support and guidance of my professors." - David Taylor, MPA Class of 2019

An instructor works with two PA students as they practice splinting.

Did you know EVMS also offers a one-year Doctor of Medical Science, DMSc program?