Welcome  

Start a career in a rewarding, high-demand sector of health care: join the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant (PA) program, Arizona’s only public university PA program. You will study in the state-of-the-art Phoenix Biomedical Campus, a 28-acre medical and bioscience campus in downtown Phoenix. The program operates in collaboration with the University of Arizona - Phoenix College of Medicine.

Our program offers:

Upon completion of the program, you will graduate with a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).

We offer real-world experience

The program’s location in Phoenix will offer you real-world education in well-established hospitals and clinics, and in cooperation with other public university colleges of medicine, nursing, public health, and pharmacy.

Compassion, diversity, and quality—our mission shapes your education

The mission of the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program is to recruit individuals of the highest possible quality from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to the profession.

We will equip you with clinical and professional knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide high-quality, compassionate medical care for the people of Arizona. 

Read more

In addition, the Physician Assistant Program strives to:

  • provide a broad, interdisciplinary medical education that will allow you to adapt to the changing healthcare environment, with a focus on evidence-based practice
  • prepare graduates to practice in diverse settings throughout Arizona, with special emphasis on rural communities and other underserved communities utilize technology and innovative strategies to effectively and efficiently equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to be a competent healthcare provider and life-long learner
  • develop a tradition of excellence in preparing you to successfully complete the national certification examination and to perform among the top programs in the country
  • develop faculty and staff members with a commitment to excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship

Accreditation

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation - Provisional to the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status. The status indicates that the plans and resource allocation for the proposed program appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards, if fully implemented as planned. Accreditation - Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status and is limited to no more than three years for any program.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is an independent accrediting body authorized to accredit qualified PA educational programs leading to the professional credential, Physician Assistant (PA).