Physician Assistant, Master's

• This full-time, in-person degree is designed for completion within two years (24 months). 
• Participants start the program in the summer term of each year. 

Explore the Full Curriculum 

Students will become competent, ethical, and compassionate health care providers who are ready to fulfill the roles and duties of the primary care physician, recognize and promote the value of diversity and who are committed to lifelong learning.  Students who complete all coursework from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Physician Assistant Program will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam for Physician Assistants. 

In addition, at the conclusion of their study, students in the Physician Assistant Program will be prepared to: 

• Search, interpret, and evaluate the medical and public health literature, including qualitative and quantitative studies. 
• Examine and critically appraise the healthcare delivery systems and health policy at the local and global level. 
• Discuss and inform healthcare system care delivery, patient safety and quality and risk management. 
• Apply knowledge to improve the prevention of disease, maintenance of public health and participate in disease surveillance, reporting and intervention. 
• Articulate and explain principles and practices of medical and public health ethics. 

Explore Program Goals and Objectives 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 12,900 job openings expected annually. This growth is driven by an aging population, expanded access to care, and the increasing role of physician assistants in delivering high-quality health care. ¹ 

Physician assistants work in a wide range of settings, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, government agencies, and educational institutions. As trusted members of the health care team, they provide preventive care, diagnose and treat illness, and help meet the growing demand for accessible patient-centered care. 

The Master of Science in Health Science – Physician Assistant program prepares you for diverse career opportunities in primary care, emergency medicine, medical and surgical specialties, public health, health care administration, and academia. 

¹ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physician Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm 

Graduates of the University of Maryland, Baltimore's Physician Assistant Program's Master of Science, Health Science - Physician Assistant are eligible to apply to take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). 

The University of Maryland, Baltimore's Physician Assistant Program's Master of Science, Health Science - Physician Assistant program satisfies the educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Maryland upon successful completion of the PANCE. 

The University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies has not made a determination that the University of Maryland, Baltimore's Physician Assistant Program's Master of Science, Health Science - Physician Assistant program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in any state.  Each licensing authority sets and enforces its own professional licensing standards. Every student should inquire directly to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction where the student plans to seek licensure in order to determine if there are mandatory requirements to be licensed or certified to practice. See NCCPA's State Licensing Boards List for more information. 

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Maryland, Baltimore.  Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. 

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.  

The program’s accreditation history can be found here: Accreditation History of UMB PA Program or by visiting the ARC-PA website.