Curriculum

There are two segments to the program: (1) the first 15 months (Year 1) which are dedicated to didactic education and (2) the last 12 months (Year 2) during which students attend supervised clinical rotations. The clinical rotations are between four and five weeks in length. The required supervised clinical experiences are family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery and emergency medicine. Rotation sites may vary in schedule, expectations, and assignments.

To progress through the Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program, a student must do the following:

1. Pass each required course/rotation with a grade of 75% or higher and maintain overall 3.0GPA.
2. Pass summative examinations (written, practical, oral, simulation, and OSCEs)
3. Submission and faculty endorsement of signature paper/Capstone project.
4. Complete the Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Test (PACKRAT) for self-assessment.
5. Comply with program standards of conduct and guidelines for ethical conduct
6. Complete the Program’s Physician Assistant Board Review Course

Note: Students who enter the program and complete the required curricular components at the typical pace will complete the program in 27-months from initial matriculation. In the event of a granted leave of absence or academic deceleration, students must complete the program no later than 4-years from initial matriculation.

Policies

Recruitment and Maintenance of Clinical Sites and Preceptors (A1.10a, A3.03, B3.01)

The MPAS program is responsible for recruiting clinical sites and preceptors, maintaining standards of excellence, and supervising student placement. The Clinical Director and the clinical team are responsible for identifying and evaluating clinical sites and preceptors that adhere to academic, professional, and safety standards of the program. Students may suggest or provide information regarding potential clinical sites or preceptors to the Clinical Director, but students are not to solicit clinical sites or preceptors. All students must accept the clerkship clinical rotation schedule assigned to them. The schedule may be subject to change.

Academic Schedule

The MPAS schedule does not always follow the FIU calendar. Dates may be subject to change.  

Fall Semester 2023

CO 2025: 7/31/23 – 12/8/23
CO 2024: 8/7/23 – 12/8/23
CO 2023: 8/7/23 - 12/8/23

Spring Semester 2024

CO 2025: 1/8/24 - 4/27/24
CO 2024:

• Rotations: 1/8/24 - 4/12/24
• Call Back Week: 4/15/24 - 5/19/24

Summer Semester 2024

CO 2025: 4/29/24 - 7/26/24
CO 2024:

• Rotations: 4/22/26 – 7/26/24
• Call Back Week: 7/29/24 - 8/2/24

Fall Semester 2024

CO 2026:

• Orientation Week of 8/12/24
• Classes: 8/19/24 – 12/2/24

CO 2025: 8/19/24 – 12/13/24
CO 2024: 8/5/24 – 12/13/24

Courses

Each faculty advisor reviews their students' records to ensure satisfactory performance prior to progression from the didactic phase to the clinical phase of the program, and prior to recommending students for graduation. Graduation is required for students to be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).

Didactic Phase

Clinical Phase