Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Become a compassionate, skilled medical professional with our Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree program. The College of Idaho’s MPAS program, which operates as a unique partnership with Idaho State University, is the only MPAS Program in the state of Idaho.  It is a 24-month program, with 72 students located across three campuses –  The College of Idaho and ISU's Meridian and Pocatello campuses – and offers a high-tech and high-touch learning environment.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly skilled healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in most states can write prescriptions.  Physician Assistants improve the accessibility of health care for underserved individuals in both urban and rural settings.

The first year of our MPAS program delivers didactic instruction simultaneously across all three campuses using distance learning technology.  With faculty and staff at all three sites, the classrooms provide both the in-person and small class-size experience.  The second year of the program consists of eight clinical rotations at sites throughout the U.S.  Our program also offers opportunities to learn and practice the Spanish language through international rotations and Spanish-speaking clinical rotations.