SIUC Physician Assistant
Master’s Completion Program
(Web-based distance learning)
Introduction
The physician assistant profession has experienced sharp growth over the past decade. This has lead to a competitive job market where having an advanced degree is advantageous. Practicing physician assistants are looking for ways to obtain a master’s degree that will allow them to continue working without having to return to a campus. The Physician Assistant Program at Southern Illinois University recognizes the need for such a program and is offering a Master’s Completion Program (MCP) which will award the graduate with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) Degree. Students in the Master’s Completion Program will learn the latest trends in health care policy and medical ethics, as well as the new trends in medicine. The student will also gain exposure to evidence based research and scientific writing.
Note to Potential Students
Students enrolled are required to complete the Masters Seminar. This Seminar is a longitudinal course required each semester of enrollment that is designed to equip the student with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to design and complete a clinically-based Master’s Research Project. Students apply strategies previously learned in the Research Methods/Evidence Based Medicine Course. The Masters Seminar culminates with a presentation and defense of the completed Master’s Research Project.
Curriculum
The MCP is a 30 credit hour, 12 month program. A list and/or description of individual courses may be found in the online Course Description section of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Graduate Catalog and elsewhere on this website.
Applicants
This option was developed for those students who are PA-Cs, hold a Bachelors degree from an accredited Physician Assistant (PA) Program and is NCCPA certified. Students enrolled in the MCP will complete the program via distance education with periodically scheduled seminars on campus/proctored exams, as per requirements stated on the course syllabi.
Applications for the MCP are accepted until June 1st of each year. For the 07-08 year, there is a $45.00 application fee and admissions for the Program will be in the fall semester of each year. The MCP schedule follows SIUC’s regular semester calendar for Fall, Spring and Summer. The dates listed on the University’s website for the Graduate School (www.siu.edu/gradschl) are observed by this program also.
Degree Awarded
Upon successful completion of this Program, a Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) is awarded. A Certificate of Completion in Physician Assistant Training at the Master’s level is also given to each graduate.
Program Advisement
Academic advisement for those interested in the SIUC Master’s Completion Program in
Physician Assistant Studies, is provided at present by Ms Faye Joyner-Keene, Program Academic Advisor. She can be reached by calling (618) 453-5527 or preferably by e-mail at pa_advisement@siumed.edu.
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