COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program at Marist is a full-time, 24-month program specifically structured to prepare students for comprehensive clinical practice. The program is divided into a 12-month didactic phase followed by a 12-month clinical phase, providing students with a balanced combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience. During the didactic phase, students acquire foundational medical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and technical competencies necessary for patient care. The clinical phase immerses students in a variety of healthcare settings, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world environments under the supervision of experienced preceptors.Throughout the program, students gain exposure to diverse medical environments, including in-patient and out-patient facilities, operating rooms, emergency departments, and specialty clinics. They learn to treat patients across all life stages, from newborns to older adults, and develop technical skills ranging from suturing and physical examination techniques to patient counseling and diagnostic assessments. The program also incorporates innovative clinical opportunities, such as the Point of Care Ultrasound Clinical Elective Rotation, giving students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology in patient care.In addition to technical expertise, the MSPAS program emphasizes the importance of global and community health. Students are trained to provide care for underserved populations and gain exposure to diverse healthcare systems, from Indian Health Services to local community clinics. This approach fosters cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to patient-centered care.By combining rigorous coursework, immersive clinical rotations, and a focus on both technical and humanistic skills, Marist’s MSPAS program equips graduates with the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience needed to excel as physician assistants. Graduates are prepared not only for licensure and certification but also to provide compassionate, innovative, and effective care in a variety of healthcare settings, making meaningful contributions to patients and communities alike.