PA Program

Physician Assistants (PAs) are valued members of the healthcare team who practice medicine in a wide range of specialties and settings. As licensed clinicians, PAs evaluate patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and imaging, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide treatments—including performing procedures. The PA profession helps expand access to care and plays an important role in team-based, patient-centered healthcare.

No specific major is required. However, applicants must complete prerequisite coursework in the basic and behavioral sciences, which typically includes subjects such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physiology. A bachelor’s degree must be earned prior to matriculating into a PA program.

To become a PA, students must graduate from an accredited PA program that includes both didactic and clinical training. After graduation, candidates must pass the national certification board exam to become a certified PA. PAs must also obtain licensure in the state where they intend to practice.

Both PAs and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced healthcare professionals who play essential roles in patient care. PAs are educated using a medical model of training, while NPs are trained within a nursing model of care. PAs may enter their graduate program with any bachelor’s degree, whereas NPs must first complete nursing education. PA education offers a broad, general medical foundation across specialties, while NP programs typically focus on a specific patient population or specialty area. After completing their training, both PAs and NPs work collaboratively within healthcare teams and can practice in a wide range of medical specialties.

At Butler University, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program is a 24-month program consisting of 108 credit hours. Students complete 12 months of didactic, classroom-based instruction followed by 12 months of hands-on clinical rotations.

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) Bridge program is designed for PAs who have graduated from an accredited PA program within the past six months. This two-semester, fully online program allows graduates to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree. The DMS Bridge builds upon entry-level PA education with advanced study in clinical medicine, research, leadership, and the evolving healthcare environment.