Want to make a difference in your community's health? Become a PA.
Now you can receive a great education in a location convenient for you! University of the Cumberlands' Northern KY campus is equipped to offer you a quality program where you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a physician assistant. Regardless of where you intend to work post-graduation, University of the Cumberlands PA program will prepare you to make quick, informed decisions, work under pressure, adapt to unexpected circumstances, and thrive in pressured situations. At Cumberlands, we look beyond your years at school toward your career in the medical field, striving to provide you with the expertise to become the best in the field. If you want to take your first step toward becoming a PA at a school that's accessible and affordable, then Cumberlands is the place.
Curriculum & Degree Requirements
Our accredited Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is designed to teach you the skills you need to provide medical care to patients. The program can be completed in as little as 27 months.
Requirements include 113 credit hours total, 68 of which are earned through didactic coursework in traditional classroom and laboratory settings. All didactic coursework takes place on campus.
Courses
*Please see the Northern Kentucky Campus PA Program Catalog & Policy Handbook for full course descriptions.
August through December (second year)
- NKPA 503 - Integration Seminar III
- NKPA 506 - Medical Procedures and Surgery II
- NKPA 523 - Medical Pathophysiology III
- NKPA 533 - Patient Assessment III
- NKPA 543 - Clinical Medicine III
- NKPA 544 - Emergency Medicine
- NKPA 573 - Pharmacology and Therapeutics III
- NKPA 591 - Research, Epidemiology, and Stats
The remaining 45 hours of the physician assistant studies program are earned during the second year in the program through 10 supervised clinical rotations in the field, which are designed to provide students with real-world experiences in family, internal, and emergency medicine; surgery; psychiatry; pediatrics; and women’s health.
Clinical rotation experiences are designed to provide physician assistant program students with supervised experiences that will enable the student to:
- Assess, diagnose, and manage common acute and chronic problems.
- Provide preventative health and health maintenance.
- Integrate with other members of the health care team.
- Utilize evidence based practices/principles as part of the Physician-PA student team.
- Record and communicate medical data in an organized, intelligent process.
- Identify role limitations and indications for referral and consultation.
- Develop skills and habits necessary for life-long learning.
- Provide compassionate, culturally competent healthcare to all patients.
Clinical Rotation Courses
NKPA 600 Family Medicine I (4 hours)
NKPA 605 Family Medicine II (4 hours)
NKPA 610 Emergency Medicine (4 hours)
NKPA 620 Internal Medicine I (4 hours)
NKPA 625 Internal Medicine II (4 hours)
NKPA 630 Pediatrics (4 hours)
NKPA 640 Psychiatry (4 hours)
NKPA 650 Surgery (4 hours)
NKPA 660 Women’s Health (4 hours)
NKPA 670 Clinical Elective (4 hours)
January through April
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 1
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 2
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 3
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 4
- NKPA 692 - Capstone I
May through August
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 5
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 6
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 7
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 8
- NKPA 693 - Capstone II
August through November
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 9
- NKPA 6XX Clinical Rotation 10
- NKPA Professional Development
Upon completion of the Physician Assistant program, graduates will demonstrate competence in the following domains:
1. Medical Knowledge
- Recognize normal and abnormal health states across all organ systems.
- Discern among acute, chronic, and emerging disease states across the lifespan.
- Apply principles of basic and clinical science to identify, diagnose, and provide patient care to healthy and ill patients.
2. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
- Formulate a most likely diagnosis and differential diagnoses based on an appropriate history, physical examination for a variety of acute, chronic, and emergent medical conditions for patients across the lifespan.
- Recommend appropriate diagnostic laboratory and imaging studies relevant to the history and physical and provide or obtain interpretations.
- Develop appropriate treatment plans based on the clinical assessment and findings that include pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
3. Clinical and Technical Skills
- Demonstrate ability to obtain a medical history, perform a physical examination, and document patient information.
- Perform diagnostic and routine therapeutic procedures.
- Implement appropriate strategies for disease prevention and health care maintenance.
- Demonstrate ability to provide appropriate patient education by utilizing evidence-based medicine to guide clinical decision making.
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Demonstrate the ability to provide effective verbal and nonverbal communication with patients, families and members of the health care team.
- Review medical records, complete documentation, communicate diagnostic findings and management strategies in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate strong reading, writing and presentation skills.
5. Professional Behaviors
- Uphold academic integrity and professionalism.
- Demonstrate cultural competencies affecting the health of the individual and the community being served.
- Apply the core principles of medical ethics to provide medical care that is respectful, ethical, considerate, empathetic, and equitable.
- Establish respectful and collaborative relationships with all members of academic and health care teams.
- Demonstrate understanding of professional responsibilities around certification, licensure, credentialing, reimbursement, advocacy, and legal policies and regulations regarding medical practice.
Program Metrics
Five Year First Time Taker Average Pass Rate for Program: 94%
Five Year National First Time Taker Average: 93%
Admission Information
Application and Interview Process
The University of the Cumberlands Northern Kentucky Campus MSPAS Program reviews each applicant who has completed and submitted each component of the admissions material and meets the academic requirements. All applicants who meet admission requirements are awarded points using an applicant score sheet. Consideration is given based on GPA (cumulative and biology-chemistry-physics), prerequisite grades, documented clinical experience, letters of recommendation, applicant residence, and the number of credit hours completed at University of the Cumberlands. Applicants who reside in Kentucky, a medically underserved area or those who have completed hours at UC receive additional points on the score sheet.
The application cycle opens October 1 and closes March 1st each year.
After the applicant score sheets are completed for those that meet all requirements, the score sheets and application materials are utilized to determine invitations to on-campus interviews. Any student who has completed the pre-professional physician assistant curriculum or obtained a bachelor's degree from University of the Cumberlands and met all admission requirements will be given an interview regardless of their application ranking. Applicants invited to an interview, including those who have completed the pre-professional physician assistant program curriculum and UC graduates, are not guaranteed admission to the graduate program. All admission and interview materials will be used to select a cohort of 30 qualified candidates.
Because admission information is updated regularly, applicants should verify current requirements linked on the program website. Please review admission requirements prior to submitting an application.
**Please contact PA Admissions at paadmissions [at] ucumberlands.edu (paadmissions[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu) if you have any questions related to direct patient contact hours or PA shadowing hours during the COVID-19 pandemic.
University of the Cumberlands Northern Kentucky Campus MSPAS Program application cycle opens on October 1.
* International students seeking to study in the physician assistant program under an F1 student visa can apply to study at our Williamsburg, KY, campus.
Technical Standards
Individuals applying to the University of the Cumberlands Physician Assistant Program at the Williamsburg campus or Northern Kentucky campus must meet certain basic/essential requirements (referred to as the Technical Standards) that are necessary for obtaining employment and performing as a Physician Assistant. The Technical Standards each student must master include cognitive, physical and behavioral characteristics. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis; but, a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. All students must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical, and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the program's core faculty. The following skills are required of each Physician Assistant student, with or without accommodation:
- Sufficient capacity for observation in academic, clinical, and other medical settings; functional vision, hearing, and tactile sensation sufficient to observe a patient’s condition and perform procedures regularly required during a physical examination
- Effective written and verbal communication skills sufficient to both academic and healthcare settings
- Sufficient motor function to carry out movements necessary for patient diagnosis and care; for free movement inpatient care and between facilities and buildings in academic and healthcare environments; physical stamina to complete didactic and clinical coursework
- Sufficient intellectual ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize, in the context of medical problem-solving and patient care
- Sufficient emotional health and stability are required for exercising good judgment and promptly completing all academic and patient care responsibilities
Please see full technical standards in the MSPAS Catalog & Policy Handbook (Northern Kentucky Campus).
Admission Requirements
Official Transcript Information: In accordance with University of the Cumberlands admissions policies and procedures, those students selected for admission to the MSPAS program at either the Williamsburg campus or the Northern Kentucky campus are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended. These transcripts must be received directly from the college/university. Student-submitted copies are not acceptable. Transcripts should be mailed directly to:
Graduate Admissions Office
649 S. 10th Street Suite C
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Phone: 606.539.4390
Toll-free: 800.343.1609 ext. 4390
Email: gradadm [at] ucumberlands.edu (gradadm[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)
Transcripts must be received prior to the scheduled class matriculation date or class standing will be revoked. Failure to submit the mandatory transcripts or fulfill any other requirements specified in a conditional offer of admission to the program, prior to the scheduled class matriculation will result in withdrawal of the conditional offer.
Transfer and Course Credit Policy: No transfer credit will normally be accepted for courses in the MSPAS program at either the Williamsburg campus or the Northern Kentucky campus.
The University of the Cumberlands Physician Assistant Program does not grant advanced placement to students or applicants.
*International students seeking to study in the Physician Assistant program under an F1 student visa can only apply to study at our Williamsburg, KY campus.
Now Offering Rolling Admission
The 2024-2025 CASPA application cycle opens on October 1, 2024, and closes on March 1, 2025. All requirements listed below must be submitted by the following deadlines:
March 1, 2025
July 1, 2025
- Completed CASPA application
- Completed PA Supplemental Application - Verified CASPA applicants will receive a direct link to the Supplemental Application.
- Submission of 3 letters of recommendation with at least one from a physician (MD/DO) or PA
- Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79
- IELTS - 6
- Duolingo - 100
- Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are:
- Earned Baccalaureate degree with overall minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A minimum Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale calculated by Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
- A minimum letter grade of C in all undergraduate or graduate prerequisite courses (listed below) within ten years prior to admission:
- Human Anatomy with lab - 3 semester hours or more
- Human Physiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
- Microbiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
- Medical Terminology
- Biology electives - 6 credit hours (Must be upper level Biology courses; highly recommend Genetics, Molecular Biology, Histology, Immunology)
- General Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs - 3 semester hours or more
- Organic 1 or Biochemistry
- Psychology (Abnormal or Developmental preferred) - 3 semester hours or more
- Statistics - 3 semester hours or more
- Waivers for the above prerequisite courses will be considered by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis. If requesting a waiver for one of the admissions criteria, please contact the Northern Kentucky Campus Physician Assistant Program. Under no circumstances will the minimum requirements for entrance to the program be waived.
- Applicants are required to have a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact. A minimum of 50 of these hours must be PA shadowing. Other experience can be paid or voluntary. Examples of acceptable direct patient care include EMT, paramedic, LPN, CNA, therapists (RT, PT/PTA, OT, SLP), medical assistant, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, x-ray technician, surgical technician, athletic trainer, and phlebotomist. Non-acceptable options include lifeguard, pharmacy representative, medical secretary, or transporter. Other questions regarding acceptable options can be directed to the Graduate Admissions Department. The number of direct patient contact hours will be used as part of the applicant ranking process for all applicants that meet all other admission requirements.
**Please contact PA Admissions at paadmissions [at] ucumberlands.edu (paadmissions[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu) if you have any questions related to direct patient contact hours or PA shadowing hours during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before possible admission, you are required to have...
- Ability to fulfill any university admission requirements
- Successful completion of an interview and positive recommendation from program faculty
The following must be completed after admission in order to enroll in the Northern Kentucky campus PA program:
- Completion of a satisfactory level 1 background check, urine drug screen, and physical exam with documentation of required immunizations:
- Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine and positive Hep B Ab (titer)
- Proof of MMR vaccine or immunity
- Proof of Varicella history or vaccination
- Proof of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis vaccine
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- Annual Influenza vaccine
- Proof of TB Test (positive results will require the student to receive a chest x-ray and further evaluation)
- Proof of Meningococcal vaccine
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide PPV vaccine**
**These vaccinations are not required by the program based on current CDC guidelines. If a clinical site requires these vaccinations, students must comply with facility guidelines.
Demonstration to program principal faculty of ability to meet the following technical standards:
- Sufficient capacity for observation in academic, clinical, and other medical settings; functional vision, hearing, and tactile sensation sufficient to observe a patient’s condition and perform procedures regularly required during a physical examination
- Effective written and verbal communication skills sufficient to both academic and healthcare settings
- Sufficient motor function to carry out movements necessary for patient diagnosis and care; for free movement in patient care and between facilities and buildings in academic and healthcare environments; physical stamina to complete didactic and clinical coursework
- Sufficient intellectual ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize, in the context of medical problem-solving and patient care
- Sufficient emotional health and stability required for exercising good judgment and promptly completing all academic and patient care responsibilities
Undergraduate students at University of the Cumberlands interested in applying for early admission to the university’s Northern Kentucky campus Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program must complete the following coursework in total or in part at University of the Cumberlands as Pre-PA biology majors. (For further details about that major, visit our Pre-Physician Assistant academics page.)
Additionally, students must complete all requirements of the General Education curriculum for undergraduates as outlined in the University of the Cumberlands Undergraduate catalog. Admission is made during the third year of undergraduate study. Students must complete all PA admissions requirements by the time of application (unless specified above). University of the Cumberlands Pre-Professional Physician Assistant students are not guaranteed admission to the PA program; however, Pre-PA students that meet all requirements for admission will be granted an interview.
Students who complete the Pre-Professional PA curriculum, but do not continue on to the professional phase of the PA program, will need nine hours of biology, five hours of chemistry and sixteen hours of electives to complete a major in biology. Alternatively, they can complete a Biology of Science degree in Independent Directions with a focus on applied health sciences. A third alternative is to complete a Bachelor of General Studies degree. Information on these alternatives may be found elsewhere in the University of the Cumberlands Undergraduate catalog.
Students who successfully complete the Pre-PA curriculum and are accepted into the Northern Kentucky Campus MSPAS program will be awarded a Bachelor of Health Science degree by the University after the successful completion of the didactic phase coursework in the Northern Kentucky Campus MSPAS Program. Students are then awarded the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree after the successful completion of the program curriculum.
In addition to the admission requirements noted above for general applicants, the following courses are required prior to application for Pre-PA students:
- BIOL 113 Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 114 Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 121 Medical Terminology
- BIOL 133 Introduction to Population Biology
- BIOL 134 Introduction to Cellular Biology
- BIOL 246 Biodiversity
- BIOL 340 Genetics
- BIOL 343 Human Anatomy
- BIOL 345 Microbiology
- BIOL 443 General Physiology
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 132 General College Chemistry I
- CHEM 211 General College Chemistry Laboratory II
- CHEM 232 General College Chemistry II
- CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I
- Biology electives (6 credit hours of upper level Biology courses, included, but not limited to genetics, molecular biology, histology, immunology; intro or general courses do not count as electives)
- Upper-level Psychology courses
- Statistics
Each PA applicant who meets all admission requirements is graded using an admissions rubric that awards points based on academic performance, geographic location of the applicant, clinical work experience and letters of recommendation.
Program Handbooks
Use our program handbooks to help guide your academic experience in the physician assistant program.
Accreditation
University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information.
In addition to the overall institutional accreditation statement above, the specialized accrediting bodies related to this degree are listed below.
At its June 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the University of the Cumberlands, Northern Kentucky Physician Assistant Program sponsored by University of the Cumberlands on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in June 2026.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-the-cumberlands-northern-ky/ .
Take the Next Step
Tuition
At University of the Cumberlands, we strive to make education accessible and affordable.
- Outcome 1A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding adherence to ethical principles and integrity in medical practice.
- Outcome 1B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Professional Development Assessment Tool (PDAT) regarding respect for other students and faculty members as well as academic integrity.
- Outcome 1C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on the Summative Professional Assessment Tool (SPAT) assessed at the end of the program regarding respect for other students and faculty members as well as academic integrity.
- Outcome 1D: 100% of students that completed the exit survey from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher regarding the importance of ethical decision making, understanding the roles, knowledge and experience in ethical decision making, developing their skills using professional resources effectively and ethically, as well as developing a clearer sense of their own ethical and spiritual values.
- Outcome 2A: 100% of the student body from cohort 2024 participated in at least one community service event during their time as a Physician Assistant student.
- Outcome 2B: 100% of students that completed the exit survey from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher stating that while as a student in the Physician Assistant program, they took on a leadership role in a spiritual, academic, civic, or professional organization as well as strengthened their commitment to community service.
- Outcome 3A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 participated in Interprofessional Didactic Encounters as part of the Health Care Issues course.
- Outcome 3B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding effective communication with colleagues and members of the healthcare team, collaboration with health care professionals, and maintaining sensitivity to various cultural, ethical, and generational issues.
- Outcome 3C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Professional Development Assessment Tool (PDAT) regarding working cooperatively and promoting and preserving relationships with peers and members of the healthcare team as well as effective communication with these parties.
- Outcome 3D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on the Summative Professional Assessment Tool (SPAT) assessed at the end of the program regarding working cooperatively and promoting and preserving relationships with peers and members of the healthcare team as well as effective communication with these parties.
- Outcome 3E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the end of didactic year OSCE.
- Outcome 3F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum examination.
- Outcome 3G: 100% of students that completed the exit survey from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher stating while as a student, they learned to appreciate the values of understanding different points of view as well as strengthened their oral communication skills.
- Outcome 4A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of a score of 75% or higher on Supervised Clinical Practice Experience clinical notes during the clinical phase.
- Outcome 4B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding physical exam techniques and written and oral presentation skills.
- Outcome 4C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the end of didactic year OSCE.
- Outcome 4D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the Summative OSCE.
- Outcome 4E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 successfully and competently completed all items from the Master Competency List.
- Outcome 5A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 541, 542, 543 Clinical Medicine I, II, and III courses.
- Outcome 5B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding Basic Medical Science Knowledge.
- Outcome 5C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Professional Development Assessment Tool (PDAT) regarding the ability of the student to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings including the ability to master relevant content in the basic sciences.
- Outcome 5D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Summative Professional Assessment Tool (SPAT) assessed at the end of the program regarding the ability of the student to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings including the ability to master relevant content in the basic sciences.
- Outcome 5E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 60% or higher on the End of Year Didactic Written exam.
- Outcome 5F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum examination.
- Outcome 5G: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of within one standard deviation of the national mean for the PANCE Task Area: Applying Basic Science Concepts.
- Outcome 6A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of a score of 75% or higher on Supervised Clinical Practice Experience clinical notes during the clinical phase.
- Outcome 6B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding exposure to various encounter types and settings and across the lifespan.
- Outcome 6C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the end of didactic year OSCE.
- Outcome 6D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 60% or higher on the End of Year Didactic Written exam.
- Outcome 6E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum examination.
- Outcome 6F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the Summative OSCE.
- Outcome 6G: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of within one standard deviation of the national mean for the PANCE Task Area: Health Maintenance.
- Outcome 7A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of a score of 75% or higher on Supervised Clinical Practice Experience clinical notes during the clinical phase.
- Outcome 7B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding medical decision making and the ability to order and interpret tests as well as formation of a treatment plan.
- Outcome 7C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the end of didactic year OSCE.
- Outcome 7D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 60% or higher on the End of Year Didactic Written exam.
- Outcome 7E 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the Summative OSCE.
- Outcome 7F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum examination.
- Outcome 7G: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of within one standard deviation of the national mean for the PANCE Task Areas: Using Laboratory & Diagnostic Studies, Clinical Intervention & Pharmaceutical Therapeutics.
- Outcome 8A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding the student taking the initiative to seek out opportunities to learn common clinical skills.
- Outcome 8B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 successfully and competently completed all items from the Master Competency List.
- Outcome 9A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 591 Research, Epidemiology and Stats.
- Outcome 9B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 692 Capstone I.
- Outcome 9C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 693 Capstone II.
- Outcome 9D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding differential diagnosis development and the ability to arrive at the most likely diagnosis.
- Outcome 9E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 60% or higher on the End of Year Didactic Written exam.
- Outcome 9F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum examination.
- Outcome 9G: 100% of students that completed the exit survey from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher stating while in the program, they became more adept at solving problems, strengthened their ability to locate information more quickly and effectively, and strengthened their critical thinking skills.
- Outcome 9H: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of within one standard deviation of the national mean for the PANCE Task Area: Formulate Most Likely Diagnosis.
- Outcome 10A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Professional Development Assessment Tool (PDAT) regarding working cooperatively with peers and members of the healthcare team as well as effective communication.
- Outcome 10B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on the Summative Professional Assessment Tool (SPAT) assessed at the end of the program regarding working cooperatively with peers and members of the healthcare team as well as effective communication.
- Outcome 10C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the end of didactic year OSCE.
- Outcome 10D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 60% or higher on the End of Year Didactic Written exam.
- Outcome 10E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum examination.
- Outcome 10F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 79.50% or higher on the Summative OSCE.
- Outcome 10G: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of within one standard deviation of the national mean for the PANCE Task Area: Health Maintenance.
- Outcome 11A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 participated in Interprofessional Didactic Encounters as part of the Health Care Issues course.
- Outcome 11B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding working collaboratively with the healthcare team as well as interpersonal skills when communicating and collaborating with healthcare professionals.
- Outcome 11C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Professional Development Assessment Tool (PDAT) regarding the student’s ability to work cooperatively with peers and members of the healthcare team.
- Outcome 11D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on the Summative Professional Assessment Tool (SPAT) assessed at the end of the program regarding the student’s ability to work cooperatively with peers and members of the healthcare team.
- Outcome 11E: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 60% or higher on the End of Year Didactic Written exam.
- Outcome 11F: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark with a score of 1470 or higher on the End of Curriculum exam.
- Outcome 11G: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of within one standard deviation of the national mean for the PANCE Task Area: Clinical Intervention.
- Outcome 12A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on Preceptor Evaluation of Student Preparedness for Rotations during the clinical phase regarding the understanding of the American healthcare system as well as legal and regulatory requirements.
- Outcome 12B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of a score of 75% or higher on Supervised Clinical Practice Experience clinical notes during the clinical phase.
- Outcome 12C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on each term’s Professional Development Assessment Tool (PDAT) regarding the student’s ability to function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings as well as their ability to extend to each patient their full measure of professional ability and provide competent medical care to each patient.
- Outcome 12D: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher on the Summative Professional Assessment Tool (SPAT) assessed at the end of the program regarding the student’s ability to function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings as well as their ability to extend to each patient their full measure of professional ability and provide competent medical care to each patient.
- Outcome 13A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 591 Research, Epidemiology and Stats.
- Outcome 13B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 692 Capstone I.
- Outcome 13C: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 693 Capstone II.
- Outcome 13D: 100% of students that completed the exit survey from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher stating they had been exposed to current research and how it relates to the Physician Assistant profession as well as stating they had practiced research in while in the program.
- Outcome 14A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 550 Introduction to the PA Profession.
- Outcome 14B: 100% of the students from cohort 2024 attended at least one PA professional conference during their time in the program.
- Outcome 14C: 100% of the students of cohort 2024 were members of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA) and American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).
- Outcome 14D: The program promoted participation in student body elections and cohort 2024 had a student society which organized community outreach events for their cohort as well as communicated legislative changes for the profession.
- Outcome 14E: 100% of students that completed the exit survey from cohort 2024 met the program benchmark of 3.0 or higher stating they had taken a role in leadership in a spiritual, academic, civic, or professional organization while in the program.
- Outcome 15A: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 550 Introduction to the PA Profession.
- Outcome 15B: 100% of students from cohort 2024 met program benchmark with a final course grade of 69.50% or higher in NKPA 680 Professional Development.
Dr. Dana Campbell
Dr. Dana Campbell
Contact Information
Lesley Tipton
Dr. Krista Riggs
Library Resources
Available to PA students through the electronic resources supported by the Grover M. Hermann Library are many electronic and online databases to which the library subscribes. The databases have become a major segment of the learning resources available on campus and provide scholarly support for all academic programs, including those in the medical field. Most of these databases include full-text journals and other information resources.
Of the available electronic resources, those that are considered particularly useful to the physician assistant program consist of the following:
- AccessMedicine
- American Family Physician
- Bates Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Bates’ Visual Guide to Physical Examination
- CINAHL with Full-Text
- Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
- Cochrane Clinical Answers
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
- Cochrane Methodology Register
- Consultant
- Credo Reference
- DSM-V
- DynaMed Plus
- Medline
- Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy
- Merck Index: an encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs, and biologicals
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Nutrition Today
- PDR.net
- PubMed
- Scientific American Medicine
- SportDiscus
- UpToDate
The collaborative agreements of KYVL members facilitate access of students of the University of the Cumberlands to other libraries and expedite no-fee interlibrary loans from member institutions.
The library catalog, with all electronic resources, may be accessed on-campus or off-campus through the library's website. Also available on the library’s homepage are links to online forms for interlibrary loan requests and to tutorials on accessing and using library resources.
PA Student Resources
Catalog & Policy Handbook
Catalog & Policy Handbook
Classrooms
Classrooms
The Northern Kentucky Campus MS in Physician Assistant Studies Program has a dedicated lecture classroom and multiple shared classrooms. Classroom seating capacities vary from 30 to 300 students to meet the needs of each cohort and Grand Rounds sessions.
Laboratories
Laboratories
The Physician Assistant program has two laboratories built specifically for the department.
- The Procedures/Skills Laboratory is used for patient procedure simulations.
- The Physical Assessment Laboratory houses our Anatomage "Cyber-dissection" table used during the laboratory portion of our anatomy course among other components of the curriculum.
Student Lounge
Student Lounge
A lounge for the physician assistant program students is located on the third floor of the Northern Kentucky Campus. Furnished in the lounge are lockers, cabinets, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink.
Common Questions
The Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) at the University of the Cumberlands' Northern Kentucky campus is an intensive graduate program designed to prepare students for careers as physician assistants. The program integrates classroom instruction with clinical practice, ensuring that students acquire the necessary medical knowledge and practical skills to provide patient care under a physician's supervision.
The MSPAS program at the University of the Cumberlands is structured to be completed in just 27 months. This period includes rigorous on-campus coursework and extensive clinical rotations, providing a thorough educational experience within a relatively short timeframe.
No, the MSPAS program at the University of the Cumberlands is conducted entirely on-campus at the Northern Kentucky and Williamsburg locations. This in-person format is crucial for the program's hands-on clinical training and lab work, which are integral to developing competent physician assistants.
Yes, pursuing an MSPAS at the University of the Cumberlands is highly advantageous. The demand for physician assistants is rising, with excellent job opportunities and attractive salaries. The average annual salary for a PA is around $121,530, and the profession is expected to grow by 31%, offering a stable and rewarding career path.
An MSPAS degree from the University of the Cumberlands opens doors to diverse medical fields, including primary care, family medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and surgery. Physician assistants from UC are trained to perform a wide range of tasks, such as diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and educating patients on health maintenance.
To enroll in the MSPAS program at the University of the Cumberlands, candidates must first obtain a bachelor's degree and fulfill specific prerequisite courses and entrance exams. Upon acceptance, students complete 113 credit hours of academic and clinical education. After graduating, they must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to practice as certified physician assistants.
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