Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Become a Physician Assistant. Impact Healthcare. Improve Patient Care.

Residential | Full-Time | 28 Months

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PA PROGRAM CORE VALUES

The core values of the program are the fundamental principles that help guide decision-making. The acronym R.I.G.H.T. is used as a memory aid and a way to communicate these values.

Respect for all Individuals

We respect all individuals and embrace our differences. We recognize, appreciate, and value diverse individual and cultural perspectives within the program, healthcare, and society. We regard each individual as an equal member of the human family and endeavour to serve each with compassion, concern, and diligence.

Innovation in Education

We strive to be forward-thinking and promote a culture of innovation. This guides our approach to PA education, which prepares students to succeed in the face of evolving professional and educational demands.

Growth Mindset

We embrace a growth mindset, encompassing the learning and progress resulting from perseverance through challenges and failure. We strive for improvement through personal reflection, learning from mistakes, and embracing constructive criticism.

High Expectations

We maintain high expectations for academic learning and professional behavior. We encourage commitment to life-long learning and professional growth.

Think and Teach

We emphasize the importance of always thinking about the patient, and we continually study and train to provide evidence-based and compassionate patient care. Students and alumni are encouraged to seek opportunities to teach future generations of healthcare providers, including in the classroom and in the clinic.

PA PROGRAM OUTCOMES

N MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

NPATIENT CARE

NPRACTICE-BASED LEARNING & IMPROVEMENT

NINTERPERSONAL & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

N PROFESSIONALISM

N SYSTEM-BASED PRACTICE 

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

Medical knowledge includes the synthesis of pathophysiology, patient presentation, differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion, and disease prevention. PAs must demonstrate core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. In addition, PAs are expected to demonstrate an investigative and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations. PAs are expected to understand, evaluate, and apply the following to clinical scenarios:

1. Evidence-based medicine

2. Scientific principles related to patient care

3. Etiologies, risk factors, underlying pathologic process, and epidemiology for medical conditions

4. Signs and symptoms of medical and surgical conditions

5. Appropriate diagnostic studies management of general medical and surgical conditions to include pharmacologic and other treatment modalities

6. Interventions for the prevention of disease and health promotion/maintenance

7. Screening methods to detect conditions in an asymptomatic individual

8. History and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses

INTERPERSONAL & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Interpersonal and communication skills encompass the verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic exchange of information. PAs must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system. Physician assistants are expected to:

1. Create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients

2. Use effective communication skills to elicit and provide information

3. Adapt communication style and messages to the context of the interaction

4. Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional groups

5. Demonstrate emotional resilience and stability, adaptability, flexibility, and tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety

6. Accurately and adequately document information regarding care for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes

PATIENT CARE

Patient care includes patient- and setting-specific assessment, evaluation, and management. PAs must demonstrate care that is effective, safe, high quality, and equitable. Physician assistants are expected to:

1. Work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals to provide patient-centered care

2. Demonstrate compassionate and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families

3. Obtain essential and accurate information about their patients

4. Make decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and informed clinical judgment

5. Develop and implement patient management plans

6. Counsel and educate patients and their families

7. Perform medical and surgical procedures essential to their area of practice

8.  Provide health care services and education aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance

9. Use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education

PROFESSIONALISM

 

Professionalism is the expression of positive values and ideals as care is delivered. Foremost, it involves prioritizing the interests of those being served above one’s own. PAs must acknowledge their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency, or mental illness. PAs must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Physician assistants are expected to demonstrate:

1. Understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, as well as the appropriate role of the physician assistant

2. Professional relationships with physician supervisors and other health care providers

3. Respect, compassion, and integrity

4. Accountability to patients, society, and the profession

5. Commitment to excellence and on-going professional development

6. Commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, the confidentiality of patient information, informed consent, and business practices

7. Sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender, and abilities

8. Self-reflection, critical curiosity, and initiative

9. Healthy behaviors and life balance

10. Commitment to the education of students and other health care professionals

PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING & IMPROVEMENT

Practice-based learning and improvement include the processes through which PAs engage in critical analysis of their own practice experience, the medical literature, and other information resources for the purposes of self- and practice-improvement. Physician assistants must be able to assess, evaluate, and improve their patient care practices. Physician assistants are expected to:

1. Analyze practice experience and perform practice-based improvement activities using a systematic methodology in concert with other members of the health care delivery team

2. Locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health

3. Apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical literature and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness

4. Utilize information technology to manage information, access medical information, and support their own education

5. Recognize and appropriately address personal biases, gaps in medical knowledge, and physical limitations in themselves and others

SYSTEM-BASED PRACTICE

 

The systems-based practice encompasses the societal, organizational, and economic environments in which health care is delivered. PAs must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that balances quality and cost while maintaining the primacy of the individual patient. PAs should work to improve the health care system of which their practices are a part. Physician assistants are expected to:

1. Effectively interact with different types of medical practice and delivery systems

2. Understand the funding sources and payment systems that provide coverage for patient care and use the systems effectively

3. Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise the quality of care

4. Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities

5. Partner with supervising physicians, health care managers, and other health care providers to assess, coordinate, and improve the delivery and effectiveness of health care and patient outcomes

6. Accept responsibility for promoting a safe environment for patient care and recognizing and correcting systems-based factors that negatively impact patient care

7. Apply medical information and clinical data systems to provide effective, efficient patient care

8. Recognize and appropriately address system biases that contribute to health care disparities

9. Apply the concepts of population health to patient care

Admissions Requirements for the MPAS Program:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution prior to matriculation into the program
  • Minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA with a minimum 3.00 Science GPA*
  • GRE scores: Aggregate Verbal and Quantitative (V+Q) Reasoning ≥ 290**, Analytical Writing: ≥ 3.5
    • Must be taken after January 2012 (or after the change to the new GRE scoring system); use school code 3660
    • The highest GRE score will be accepted if the test is taken multiple times. However, the aggregate (V+Q) score must be from the same test, but the highest written score can be from any test attempt
  • ≥ 250 patient contact hours: hours in employment or service where an applicant has direct patient contact
  • Minimum of 3 references: (at least one from a PA, MD, DO or NP is strongly recommended)
  • Strongly recommended to shadow a physician assistant. You may also consider shadowing a practicing physician or nurse practitioner
  • Successful applicants generally have MORE THAN 300 hours of community service (not including religious or military service).  Please list ANY service that you have completed including religious, military or collegiate

 

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Online Application

a) Apply through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

2. To be considered for an interview, all materials, including GRE scores, must be received and VERIFIED by CASPA no later than the October 1st. The following language from CASPA’s website is informative:

“To ensure the application is verified on time, applications must be completed (e-submitted, payment received, transcripts received, and two letters of recommendation received) at least four weeks in advance of the deadline date.”

In other words, make sure all of your materials are received by CASPA around September 1st in order to ensure verification for the October 1st deadline.

Please send all materials to CASPA. No materials are needed to be sent to the school directly.

Scoring Areas and Weighting

Utilizing a detailed rubric, applicants receive a score in each of the four categories listed in the table below. The weight assigned to each category is included in the right hand column. Invitations to interviews are based on the applicant’s final score and a review of their application by the Program Admissions Committee.

DETAILED ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Changes during COVID-19

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program has made the following modifications to the admissions requirements for this year only (2021-2022).

Outstanding Prerequisites – Applicants may have a total of 12 outstanding credits when applying to the program. These courses must be completed and grades received before May 2, 2022.

GRE – We are still requiring the GRE. However, this may change pending developments in pandemic status and testing center availability. All other requirements remain the same but could shift due to changes in pandemic status over time.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

All applicants must complete the required prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program. Not every course must be completed prior to submitting an application. The RMU PA program allows applicants to have up to nine credits of prerequisite coursework in progress or planned at the time of application submission to CASPA. A feasible plan to complete outstanding prerequisite coursework must be documented in the CASPA application.

PLEASE NOTE:  Under no circumstances will applicants be allowed to begin the Physician Assistant Program if prerequisite coursework is not completed prior to the program start date and evidenced by transcripts or a letter from the institution awarding the credit attesting to completion and final grade.

Human Anatomy w/lab

Human anatomy course covering all body regions and systems designed for Biology or Physiology majors.
NOTE: a two-semester combined Human Anatomy and Physiology course series is acceptable.

Semester Credits: 3-4

Human Physiology w/lab

Course covering human physiologic processes designed for Biology or Physiology majors.
NOTE: a two-semester combined Human Anatomy and Physiology course series is acceptable

Semester Credits: 3-4

General Biology w/lab

General biology course designed for Biology or Physiology majors.
NOTE: if the course and lab does not equate to 4 or more semester credits, a molecular or cellular biology course must also be completed.

Semester Credits: 4

Microbiology w/lab

This course does not have to be one designed for Microbiology majors.

Semester Credits: 4

Eight Credits  of Chemistry w/lab

Eight credits of chemistry with at least one lab.

Semester Credits: 8-10

College Algebra or Higher OR College Statistics

100-level or higher course covering the foundations of Algebra. A calculus course fulfills this requirement. AP credit or ACT/SAT scores may also count toward this requirement. A College Statistics course also fulfills this requirement.

Semester Credits: 3

Psychology

An Introduction to Psychology or Abnormal Psychology course (please note that Developmental Psychology or AP credits cannot fulfill this requirement).

Semester Credits: 3

Medical Terminology

100-level or higher medical terminology course. An upper-level version is recommended.

Semester Credits: 1-3

To be considered for the RMU PA program, each prerequisite course highlighted in gold must have been completed within ten years of the cohort start date. Additionally, credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution and be verifiable through official transcripts or accepted by a National Association of Credentialing Evaluation Services (NACES) accredited U.S. equivalency reporting agency.

Prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better. In plus-minus grading systems, a grade of C- does not qualify as a C. Applicants offered seats contingent upon successful completion of outstanding prerequisites must complete each remaining course with a grade of B or better (earning a grade of B- does not qualify as a B).

PLEASE NOTE:  Under no circumstances will applicants be allowed to begin the Physician Assistant Program if prerequisite coursework is not completed prior to the program start date.

Additional Recommended Courses

Genetics or Cellular Biology

Though not required, taking at least one of these courses is highly recommended.

NOTE: though not mandatory, application scoring will improve with successful completion and high performance more importantly, these courses help better prepare students for the rigors of PA program coursework.

Semester Credits: 3-4

Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry

Though not required, taking at least one of these courses is highly recommended.

NOTE: though not mandatory, application scoring will improve with successful completion and high performance more importantly, these courses help better prepare students for the rigors of PA program coursework.

Semester Credits: 3-4

Technical Writing

Though not required, a technical writing course is highly recommended due to the volume of graduate writing and charting assignments.

Semester Credits: 3-4

GPA Requirements

The minimum required cumulative GPA is 3.20 and the minimum required science GPA is 3.00. However, applicants who meet only one of the above two criteria will be considered for an interview if there is strong evidence of improved academic performance in more recently completed coursework. This is evidenced by meeting the following criteria:

  • GPA of 3.20 or higher for the most recent CASPA verified 20 semester hours, which could include the science-related prerequisites (not including Statistics, College Algebra, Psychology, or Medical Terminology) or upper-level science courses (300-level or higher)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPAs derived from the CASPA application are the only values considered for application screening. GPAs will not be recalculated based on coursework completed following application submission via CASPA.

Health Care Experience

We require our applicants to have healthcare experience because:

  1. They need to be comfortable working intimately with diverse patients who manifest with a variety of conditions and diseases.
  2. They need to fully understand:
    • the physician assistant profession
    • the significant differences between PAs and other practitioners—including allied health providers
    • how PAs operate within the medical system

Direct Patient Contact Experience

To be considered for an interview, applicants must have at least 250 hours of direct patient contact experience documented in CASPA at the time of e-submission.

Examples of specific positions that would qualify as direct patient contact experience include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Athletic Trainer
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Dietician
  • Emergency Room Technician
  • Medical/Nursing Assistant
  • Military Medic or Corpsman
  • Nurse (LPN, RN)
  • Ophthalmology Technician
  • Paramedic/EMT
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Phlebotomist
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Radiologic Technician
  • Surgical Technologist

Volunteer experience during which you have actively worked with patients and influenced their care also qualifies as direct patient contact experience. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Hospice
  • Medical Mission
  • Nursing Home
  • Peace Corps

Other healthcare experiences having minimal or no direct patient care responsibility, such as administrative jobs and pharmacy assistants, do not count for direct patient contact experience.

Provider Shadowing

Shadowing medical providers is particularly valuable when considering a career as a physician assistant. We highly recommend that applicants shadow providers as described below:

  • a primary care PA (i.e. one who practices in a general medicine area such as family medicine or internal medicine)
  • a PA who practices in a specialty
  • and at least one physician. 

Additional shadowing of various types of providers will only further strengthen your application. Remember, the goal in shadowing is for applicants to have sufficient exposure to medical providers so they understand the PA profession, including how PAs differ from other providers and how they operate within the medical field. As it will assist members of the Program Admissions Committee in evaluating application strength, we highly recommend shadowing hours be documented in CASPA at the time of e-submission.

PLEASE NOTE: Provider shadowing does not qualify for direct patient contact experience.

Standardized Test Scores - GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants. We strongly encourage applicants to take the GRE by late August to ensure that CASPA receives the official scores by the October 1st deadline.

All test scores are sent directly to CASPA by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Please use 3660 as the code number to designate score results for the RMU PA program.

To be considered for an interview, an aggregate score of at least 290 is required for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning subsections. Additionally, an Analytical Writing score of at least 3.5 is required. 

(** for the GRE: If your GRE score is between 299-290 your overall science GPA MUST be 3.3 or above to meet our GRE requirements.)

The highest GRE score will be considered in the circumstances of multiple GRE scores. For more detailed information about each subsection, please refer to the GRE Test Content and Structure web page by clicking here.

PLEASE NOTE: Only GRE scores less than five years old from the time of application submission to CASPA will be accepted. In the event an applicant is not offered a seat into the program for a given cycle and reapplies for a subsequent cycle, he/she must again request that ETS send official scores to CASPA.

Standardized Test Scores - TOEFL

To be considered for an interview, all applicants for whom English is a second language must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:

Successful completion of undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction

Achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Official TOEFL scores should be mailed directly to CASPA as described in the Standardized Tests  section of their website:

Official TOEFL Scores should be mailed to CASPA in paper format. They must be original copies of the test and sent to CASPA directly from ETS. CASPA can NOT accept photocopied or electronic TOEFL scores. Please mail all official TOEFL scores to:

CASPA TOEFL SCORES P.O. Box 9108 Watertown, MA 02471

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement is not granted under any circumstances. All students who enter the program must fulfill all program requirements.

Interviews

All interviews are conducted in the Fall after the application deadline. Applicants invited to interview will be notified by email.

APPLICATION ANALYSIS PROCESS

Scoring Areas and Weighting

Utilizing a detailed rubric, applicants receive a score in each of the four categories listed in the table below. The weight assigned to each category is included in the right hand column.

Academic Strength

55%

Health Care Experience/References

25%

Social Engagement

20%

Total:

100%

Additional details regarding each category are provided below.

Application Screening

Admission to the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) Physician Assistant (PA) program is highly competitive. Individuals who submit applications meeting the minimum qualifications as described on the Application Requirements and Prerequisite Courses pages will have their applications scored on a 100-point scale.

An individual’s application is screened only once—after all application materials have been verified by CASPA (including GRE scores). No additional materials pertaining to screening will be considered after this point for the application cycle. For example, if GPA requirements are not met at the time of application screening, GPA scores will not be recalculated to determine if an applicant qualifies for scoring in the event additional coursework is completed. Therefore, candidates must verify that their application fully qualifies when they submit it via CASPA.

Application Scoring

Program Admissions Committee (PAC) members consider multiple factors in the scoring process. Please see the application analysis process for more information.

Academic Strength

Evaluation of academic strength is based on transcript history, GPA, and GRE scores. Several variables are considered. Please see the application analysis process for more information.

Health Care Experience

Factors affecting scoring in this area include but are not limited to:

  • quality and quantity of patient care experience,
  • depth of responsibility and influence
  • experience shadowing healthcare providers
  • quality of personal and professional references.

Please refer to the Health Care Experience subsection of the admissions requirements section for details on the PA Program’s goals, requirements, and expectations regarding the acquisition of health care experience hours.

Social Engagement

Candidates with a history of active volunteerism and engagement in their communities, school settings, and global opportunities are highly valued. Quantity, quality, and depth of involvement are considered, including the extent to which one engages with others either in leadership roles or as a participant. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • medical mission trips
  • leadership opportunities
  • community service activities
  • military service
  • service for one’s church or religious establishment
  • team sports, collegiate clubs, and extracurricular activities.

Please list specific service projects separately. For example, if you organized a blood drive in association with a service group or extracurricular club, please list the blood drive as a separate entry in CASPA.

Please specify any leadership roles held in clubs or organizations (e.g. team captain, activity coordinator, vice president, board of directors).

Please specify whether you volunteered or received compensation for an activity.

Please include only activities completed after high school graduation.

Our successful applicants average > 300 hours of community service (not including religious, military, and collegiate service). Please include ANY type of service that you have completed on your application including religious, military, and collegiate service.

PLEASE NOTE: CASPA does not provide a section in their online application system specifically entitled Social Engagement. Please include experiences appropriate for this category in the Volunteer/Community Enrichment section.

References

References provide an opportunity for program faculty to examine external perspectives of applicants’ potential for success. Applicants are encouraged to choose references who are able to comment on the categories described above. It is strongly recommended that at minimum one of these references be from a PA, MD, DO or NP.

Admissions Disclosures:

 

1. Admission is limited and selective. All completed applications will be considered for admission.  All applicants must demonstrate a previous record of successful academic achievement, clinical experience, and the motivation to pursue graduate-level education.

2. Full Disclosure Requirement: Incomplete or falsified admission information constitutes grounds for a refusal to admit or immediate dismissal, loss of credit, and forfeiture of all tuition and fees paid.

3. Confidentiality: Admissions materials received by the University are kept in strict confidence. Once the application materials are received, these materials are the property of the University and will not be returned to the applicant. All applicant materials are kept for one year following receipt if the applicant does not enroll.

Tuition

ProgramSemestersCost Per CreditMinimum CreditsTotal TuitionUniversity Resource Fee (per semester)Program Specific FeesAdditional Information
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)Six Semesters (24 months)$87568$59,500$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,397
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)Seven Semesters (28 months)$1,047114$119,358$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$9,128

*Up to 15 credits. No additional charge above 15 credits.

Please refer to the MPAS program’s Program Costs policy for full details on tuition, fees, and other expenses.

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MHC)/Master of Science in School Counseling (SC)Seven Semesters (28 months)$72060$43,200$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$700

*Program requires student to complete 2 elective courses (6 credits total). Elective options are offered with variable timing and should be discussed with program advisor.

Dual‐degree program option exists: Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Masters of Science in School Counseling. This dual-degree option requires student to complete an additional 12 credits (72 credits total). This extends the program to 9 semesters or 36 months.

*Dual‐degree program requires student to complete 1 elective course (3 credits total). Elective options are offered with variable timing and should be discussed with program advisor.

Dual Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MHC) & Master of Science in School Counseling (SC)Nine Semesters (36 months)$72072$51,840$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$900

Dual‐degree program option exists: Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Masters of Science in School Counseling. This dual-degree option requires student to complete an additional 12 credits (72 credits total). This extends the program to 9 semesters or 36 months.

*Dual‐degree program requires student to complete 1 elective course (3 credits total). Elective options are offered with variable timing and should be discussed with program advisor.

Master of Science in Health Science (MSHS)Five or Six Semesters (20 - 24 months depending on curriculum choice)$59030$17,700$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$1,200
($1,770 Optional)
Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MS MedSLP)Six Semesters (24 months)$91069$62,790$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,956

Always refer to your curriculum schedule for the most up-to-date tuition payment schedule.

Students choose elective courses, with variable credit loads. At least 6 elective credits required.

Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)Five Semesters (20 months)$96750$48,350$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,400

*Note: FNP Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP/ENP)Six Semesters (24 months)$1,03465$67,210$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$6,900

*Note: FNP Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720, FNP 730, ENP 712, ENP 722 & ENP 732) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

***Note: ENP Course Fees are $200 per ENP credit per semester, and cover ultrasound sim, EKG sim, and all disposable supplies.

Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practicioner (MSN-FNP/PMHNP)Six Semesters (24 months)$96777$74,459$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$3,900

*Note: FNP Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720, FNP 730, PMH 708, PMH 718 & PMH 728) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practicioner (MSN-PMHNP)Five Semesters (20 months)$96759$57,053$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$1,500

*Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (PMH 708, PMH 718 & PMH 728) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

Tuition will vary depending on transfer credit awarded.

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)Four or Five Semesters (16 - 20 months depending on curriculum choice)$78536$28,260$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)

$509

(If applicable)
*Students in the Healthcare Leadership and Administration concentration track and bachelor’s-prepared students who take theHLA 620 course will have a course fee of $115 for the HLA 620 course, which will be used to purchase a validated emotional intelligence assessment report.

*Students in the Psychiatry concentration track will have a course fee of $200 for the PMH 790 course and a course fee of $200 for the PMH 795 course.

Students in the DMSc program (regardless of concentration track) choose between two curriculum models to complete the 36 credit hours: the Integrated Model and the Phased Model. Both curriculum models are designed so PA clinicians, educators, and administrators can continue professional work obligations while completing this degree. In the Integrated Model, students complete the practicum and applied scholarly project courses concurrently with the other didacticcourses. Students may complete the Integrated Model in as little as four semesters. In the Phased Model, students complete the didactic courses before completing the practicum and applied scholarly project courses. Students may complete the Phased Model in as little as five semesters.

PAs with bachelor’s degrees who have not previously completed a master’s or doctoral degree may enroll in the DMSc program and will be required to successfully complete the following additional courses that are offered by Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions:

HS 504 Research Methods (3 credits)

ACP 730 Population Health Issues -OR-HLA 620 Healthcare

Leadership (3 credits)

Doctor of Nursing Practice- Family Nurse Practitioner (Post- Baccalaureate) (DNP/FNP)Eight Semesters (32 months)$96780$77,360$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$4,400

*Note: Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

***Scholarly Project Fee applied in semester 8 when completing project.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (Post-Master’s)Four Semesters (16 months)$96747$45,449$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,000
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Entry‐LevelNine Semesters (36 months)$875105$91,875$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,497
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (pOTD) Post‐ProfessionalFour Semesters (16 months)$96030$28,800$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$1,750
Doctor of Optometry (OD)Eleven Semesters (45 months)$999185$184,815$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$7,701
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health SciencesNine Didactic Semesters and minimum of Three Dissertation Semesters (48 months)$95470$66,780$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$3,150
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)Eight Semesters (32 months)$878129$113,262$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$1,805
Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD)Seven Semesters (28 months)$99640$39,840$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,574 *Students in the SLPD program who take the HLA 620 course will have a course fee of $109, which will be used to purchase a validated emotional intelligence assessment report.
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT)Three or Four Semesters (12 - 16 months depending on curriculum choice)$95824$22,992$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Emergency & Primary Care in Athletic Training Practice Certificate (EPCAT)$4509$4,050$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENPC) Certificate (Post-Master's)Three Semesters (12 months)$1,17315$17,595$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$4,500

*Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (ENP 712, ENP 722 & ENP 732) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

**Note: ENP Course Fees are $200 per ENP credit per semester, and cover ultrasound sim, EKG sim, and all disposable supplies.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNPC) Certificate (Post-Master's)Four Semesters (16 months)$96730$29,010$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$2,400

*Note: FNP Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (FNPC/PMHNPC)Five Semesters (20 months)$96757$55,119$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$3,900

*Note: FNP Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720, FNP 730, PMH 708, PMH 718 & PMH 728) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (FNPC/ENPC) Certificate (Post-Master's)Five Semesters (20 months)$1,03445$46,530$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$6,900

*Note: FNP Lab Fees are $300 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720 & FNP 730), and will cover all program materials for onsite skills labs and use of onsite lab facilities.

**Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (FNP 710, FNP 720, FNP 730, ENP 712, ENP 722 & ENP 732) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

***Note: ENP Course Fees are $200 per ENP credit per semester, and cover ultrasound sim, EKG sim, and all disposable supplies.

Functional Nutrition Certificate (FNC)$45012$5,400$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Health & Wellness Coaching Certificate (HWC)$4506$2,700$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Healthcare Leadership and Administration Certificate (HLA)$45012$5,400$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Healthcare Professions Education Certificate (HPE)$45012$5,400$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Human & Sport Performance Certificate (HSPC)$45012$5,400
Mental Health Counseling Certificate & School Counseling Certificate (MHCC)(SCC)$72015-21$10,800 - $15,120$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0Note: "The credit amount for this program is dependent on an evaluation of your master's transcript from the program. For more information, please contact the admissions office at admissions@rm.edu."
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Certificates$5009$4,500$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health)Four Semesters (16 months)$96739$37,713$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$1,500

*Note: Preceptor Fees are $500 per clinical course (PMH 708, PMH 718 & PMH 728) and are used to compensate each hosting preceptor.

Tuition will vary depending on transfer credit awarded.

Psychiatry Certificate (for PA clinicians)$45015$6,750$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)$0
Rehabilitation Science Certificate (RSC)$45012$5,400

MPAS FAQs

How are clinical rotations set up?

You’ll participate in 40 weeks of clinical education across eight different professional settings. Our Clinical Education Team helps you select your elective clinical and craft your rotation schedule. Over the course of your rotations, you’ll work with expert preceptors in diverse medical contexts. We’re connected with preceptors throughout the region and country, so you can expect to travel during your rotations, but that’s the best way to gain diverse exposure to rural, low-income, and underserved patient populations.

Are you rolling admissions? What does that mean?

No, our PA program does not use a rolling admissions model, where applicants can gain acceptance throughout the admissions process. Rather, we make our admissions decisions after the final application deadline and the completion of scheduled interviews.

Do you have a supplemental application?

No, the CASPA application is all you’ll have to submit. Unlike past years, we no longer require that you complete the CASPer test.

How many seats are available annually within the program?

Every year, we seat a 50-person class of students that start the program in May.

Are GRE & GPA minimum scores a hard cutoff?

Yes, the GPA and GRE minimum requirements are firm standards, published on our website. This ensures that we consider competitive candidates, ready for our program’s accelerated pacing. Fortunately, we accept your highest GRE score if you’d like to retake the exam.

Are there limitations on how many in-state and out-of-state students you accept?

As a private institution, our program accepts students without regard to state residency status.  Our diverse student body reflects our equal consideration of a nationwide pool of candidates.

Will a cadaver lab be included as part of the Applied Human Anatomy course?

Yes, we make cadavers available for laboratory learning experiences during the Applied Human Anatomy course. RMU keeps a full-time anatomist on staff to help provide an unrivaled dissection environment.

Can I take the prerequisites online or at a community college?

Yes, as long as they satisfy our specific prerequisite requirements, you can take these courses at any regionally accredited institution. Both in-person and online courses are acceptable.

Are AP courses accepted to cover prerequisites?

The Algebra or the higher math requirement is the only prerequisite eligible for satisfaction by an AP course. When you submit your application, make sure this math credit is either on your transcript or expressed in a document from the registrar of the institution where the course was completed.

What can be pending when I submit my application?

Letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and some prerequisites may be pending or in progress when you submit your application

If you have already sent requests for letters of recommendation,  you may submit your application.

Applicants should ensure that CASPA receives all GRE scores and letters of recommendation. For GRE scores, RMU’s school code is 3660.

Up to  9 credits of prerequisite courses may be pending or in progress when you submit your application. We require that you complete these courses before the program start date, with a final grade of a “B” or higher. If you receive an acceptance offer, we ask that you please re-submit your transcripts to confirm the successful completion of your coursework.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. 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 March 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA WEBSITE at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-rocky-mountain-university-of-health-professions/

Graduates of programs accredited by the ARC-PA or its predecessors are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Certification is required to be eligible for licensure to practice as a Physician Assistant. PA program graduates are deemed as having graduated from an accredited program if their PA educational program was accredited at the time of their matriculation.

UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION

 

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (8060 165th Avenue NE Ste 100, Redmond, WA 98052-3981), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education.