» Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies Program

Physician Assistant education is accredited by a national accreditation agency called the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Accreditation by this agency is to ensure that quality education is being provided to all students nationally. All new physician assistant programs apply for Accreditation Provisional in which they must submit an application and participate in an on-campus accreditation site visit. If a PA Program meets the national accreditation standards and Provisional Accreditation is awarded, the PA Program must participate in a self-study and another site visit when their first cohort of students graduates from the program. At this time a PA Program is awarded Continuing Accreditation if they meet the accreditation standards. Whether a PA student graduates from a Provisionally Accredited or a Continuing Accredited program, he or she will be graduating from a Nationally Accredited program.

For further questions regarding accreditation provisional and the accreditation process, please contact Chapman University’s PA Studies program or the Accreditation Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), 12000 Findley Road, Suite 150, Johns Creek, GA 30097 (770) 476-1224.

The mission of the Chapman University Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies Program is to educate compassionate, patient-centered medical providers of the highest quality who are leaders in their communities, life-long learners of medicine, and professionals who possess strong clinical skills, cultural sensitivity, ethical values, and respect for health and well-being.

Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Mission Statement
The Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences engages diverse faculty and students in community outreach and learning, research, and evidence-based practice that emphasizes a bio-psycho-social perspective to the understanding of health, disability and disease; that fosters interdisciplinary collaborations and inter-professional practice; and that embraces technological innovations in the classroom, laboratory, and clinic.

Chapman University Mission Statement
To provide personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive lives as global citizens.

The vision of Chapman University's P.A. 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 specialty 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.

• To provide each student a problem based, active learning experience in an engaging teaching environment.
• Skillfully train each student in the art of medicine where they can perform physical exams and obtain medical history on all patients.
• To create life-long learners with strong critical thinking abilities who practice evidence-based medicine.
• To develop compassionate, culturally sensitive medical providers who value respect for life and diversity.
• To educate PAs who practice patient-centered medicine as leaders within an inter-professional collaborative team-based environment.
• To provide a strong educational foundation that prepares our graduates to meet the demands of a dynamic health care system in a variety of primary care and specialty areas of medicine.
• To engage faculty and students in learning, research, and evidence-based practice that emphasizes a biopsychosocial perspective to understanding health, disability, and disease.
• To create a partnership with patients to promote healthy lifestyles and preventive medicine as professionals in a patient centered medical model
• To create health care leaders who will advance the PA profession at the local, state, and national levels.

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.

Instructions: Below you will find the application to become a clinical preceptor for the Chapman University PA Studies Program. You do not need to complete both versions of the application. Version 1 is intended to be completed on your computer using Microsoft Word, and Version 2 is intended to be printed out and completed manually. Directions for completing and returning the application are at the top of the document.

Links:

Preceptor Application version 1 – Digital Version

Preceptor Application version 2 – Written Version

Proposed Preceptor Benefits List

PA Studies Program Information Sheet

Simulation Labs Informational Flyer

We are developing a strong clinical phase for our program by establishing clinical rotation sites with leading medical facilities in the state of California. Clinical rotations will take place at medical facilities throughout the state.  If you are interested in either 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 at 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 »

• State Licensure

American Academy of Physician Assistants

The PA Studies Program is housed in the new state-of-the-art Harry and Diane Rinker Health Sciences Campus in Irvine, California.  The facility is equipped with an Interactive Learning Center, a Grand Rounds Auditorium equipped with 3D projection capabilities, Simulation and Standardized Patient labs, and two Physical Diagnosis exam rooms with a variety of medical equipment and simulators.

The Accreditation Review Commission on the Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

American Academy of Physician Assistants

California Academy of Physician Assistants

National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants