» Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Program

MISSION

The mission of the Chapman University MMS PA Studies Program is to provide a personalized, exceptional medical education that inspires compassionate, collaborative, and analytical health care providers who enhance access to high quality care in the community.

VISION

The vision of Chapman University's PA program is to educate a highly competent, culturally sensitive, ethical, and insightful PA who is ready to take on the challenges of healthcare in both the primary and speciality care areas.  Chapman University faculty and staff will strive to inspire students with a personalized educational experience to become leaders who seek scholarly endeavors and show a commitment to service in diverse communities.  Our graduates will practice evidence-based medicine as part of an interdisciplinary team while providing a positive impact to the global health system.

GOALS

1. Provide an exceptional medical education that prepares students for success on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
   Measurement: Students will exceed the ARC-PA established pass rate currently set at 85% on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). View our Class of 2018 PANCE Summary Report

2. Prepare students for success in diverse supervised clinical practice settings. Measurement: Preceptor end of rotation evaluation of students will meet or exceed 3.5/5. View our Class of 2018 Preceptor End of Rotation Evaluation Summary Report  

3. Prepare graduates for success as entry-level PAs.
   Measurement: Program will publish results of alumni employment survey taken 6 months after graduation for individuals actively seeking employment. View our Class of 2018 Alumni Employment Survey Summary Report

Simulation Suite

The PA program utilizes a comprehensive clinical space on the Rinker Campus. There are two large lab rooms equipped with 26 patient exam tables and a patient evaluation suite with six individual patient care rooms. The program uses the larger lab rooms to teach, practice and assess physical exam and clinical skills, patient procedures, and care simulations.  Simulation mannequins enable students to take part in real life patient scenarios across the life span.  Students experience simulated patient cases in multiple clinical environments across several areas of care, including but not limited to: emergent, acute, chronic, and preventative medicine. Other simulation equipment includes various interactive mannequins and models of individual organ systems in the human body to practice and assess examination skills. The patient evaluation suite includes 6 patient examination rooms that are modeled after clinic rooms students will experience in practice. The suite is equipped with video and voice recording equipment for each room and a surgical scrub sink. The suite also allows for frequent student assessment with colleagues or standardized patients in a simulated clinic environment that brings didactic learning to the realities of patient care. 

ADMISSIONS CYCLE

The 2019 CASPA Admissions Cycle will open on Thursday, April 25, 2019 for the Class of 2021 that is scheduled to matriculate on Monday, January 6, 2020. 

Application deadline is September 1, 2019.  We strongly recommend candidates submit their completed applications early due to our rolling admissions process. 

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Check back here for future dates or email: paadmit@chapman.edu

SCHOLARSHIP

The Chapman University PA Studies Program is pleased to be able to award a number of merit-based scholarships to incoming students who have demonstrated excellence in the following areas: Academics, Community Service, Diversity, Leadership and Research.

FINANCIAL AID

The Graduate Financial Aid Office supports Chapman University’s mission and vision of being a student-oriented institution that provides personalized education to all students. To learn more about financial aid or to apply, please visit the Graduate Financial Aid Office website. 

Ari Babaknia, MD
Medical Director
Professor
Clinical Faculty
babaknia@chapman.edu
 
Gabriela Belinsky, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor
Clinical Faculty
gbelinsky@chapman.edu
 
Michael Burney, EdD, PA-C
Program Director/Chair
Associate Professor
Clinical Faculty
burney@chapman.edu
 
Richard Granese, MD
Lecturer
granese@chapman.edu

Jennifer Grumet, MD
Director of Admissions
Assistant Clinical Coordinator
Assistant Professor
Clinical Faculty
grumet@chapman.edu
 
Brian Kolski, MD
Lecturer
kolski@chapman.edu
 
Stephanie Saldivar, MSHS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor
Clinical Faculty
ssaldivar@chapman.edu
 
Shay Seitz, MS, PA-C
Assistant Professor
Clinical Faculty
seitz@chapman.edu
 
Mara Snee, MPAP, PA-C
Director of Academic Education and Assessment
Assistant Professor
Clinical Faculty
snee@chapman.edu
 
Anne Walsh, PA-C, MMSc, SCT(ASCP), DFAAPA
Associate Professor
Clinical Faculty
awalsh@chapman.edu

Benjamin Willett, MS, PA-C
Assistant Professor
Clinical Faculty
willett@chapman.edu

Ramona Alonalon
Senior Administrative Assistant
alonalon@chapman.edu
 
Alexis Adams
Admissions Coordinator
aleadams@chapman.edu
 
Rachel McKinney
Administrative Assistant
mckinney@chapman.edu

CLINICAL PRECEPTORS

Clinical preceptors play an essential role in the education of the next generation of physician assistants and are in high demand. Clinical preceptors, who open up their practices to students and spend time educating them on the proper clinical evaluation and treatment of patients, may include licensed physicians and other licensed health care providers such as PAs and nurse practitioners.

The main reward preceptors receive is the knowledge that they are helping to ensure that capable and competent health care providers are entering the U.S. health care delivery system. A full list of proposed benefits can be found in the links below.

Physicians may be interested in having students rotate at their sites if they are considering hiring a PA in the future. Students also have a better sense as to whether they want to work for a particular practice after spending considerable time there. Many PA students get their first job through a clinical rotation.

While students rotating at a clinical practice tend to slow down patient movement, they also can add value by providing current standard of care practice knowledge as well as patient education. With the correct teaming of the preceptor and student, it can be a worthwhile and educational experience for all involved.

CLINICAL ROTATIONS

We have established clinical rotation sites with leading medical facilities in Southern California. Some of our current clinical partners include:

• • University of California Irvine
  • Memorial Care Medical Group/Foundation
  • OptumCare Medical Group
  • Hoag Hospital Newport Beach
  • Hoag Orthopedic Institute
  • St. Joseph Hospital of Orange
  • St. Jude Medical Center
  • Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
  • Tri-City Medical Center
  • AltaMed Medical Group
  • Private practices throughout Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles Counties

If you are interested in learning more about the role of a Preceptor or becoming a Preceptor for our program, please contact the PA Studies Program at (714) 744-2185 or email paprogram@chapman.edu 

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination through the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Once nationally certified, graduates of Chapman University’s PA program will be eligible to apply for state licensure to the applicable state licensing body. Successful completion of the program does not itself ensure certification and/or licensure.

• National Certification
  National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants

• California State Licensure
  Department of Consumer Affairs, Physician Assistant State Board

Professional Links

• AAPA 
  American Academy of Physician Assistants
• CAPA
  California Academy of Physician Assistants