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Master of Physician Assistant Studies

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Completion requirement

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements and Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the program requires all Master of Physician Assistant students to successfully complete 93 units as follows:

Year One

Complete 45 units:

Complete ALL of the following Course Lists:

In special circumstances as an additional support for students, and with the approval of the Graduate Program Director, a student can take one of the Special Topics courses: course, course or course.


Additional Requirements in Year One

Medical Terminology Module

In the Fall term of year one of the program, as part of course, students will be required to successfully complete a medical terminology module. The module must be completed by the end of the Fall term for students to progress to the Winter term of year one.

Year Two

Complete 48 units:

Complete ALL of the following Course Lists:

In special circumstances as an additional support for students, and with the approval of the Graduate Program Director, a student can take one of the Special Topics courses: course, course or course.

Completion requirement

Progression and Completion

Assessment in the MPAS program is grounded in principles of competency-based education to ensure that students acquire and demonstrate the necessary competencies for professional practice as Physician Assistants.

All courses in the MPAS program are graded as CR (Completed Requirements) or F (Fail). Students must complete all courses with a CR in order to progress in the program.

All students will receive a progress report by the end of each term to reflect on their progress and identify potential areas for improvement. With the approval of the Graduate Program Director, students can choose to take a special topics course to support their studies. Additional fees will apply to the elective courses.

Students who receive a “Fail” grade in coursework or clinical rotations will be required to retake the same course. Additional fees will apply to the retake course(s). At the discretion of the Graduate Program Director, students who: a) receive a "Fail" grad in coursework or clinical rotations, and b) are not progressing academically, may be recommended to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for withdrawal from the program.


Advanced Credit

Advanced Credit will not be accepted for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program.


Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) is not applicable within the MPAS program as all courses in the MPAS Program are graded as CR (Completed Requirements) or F (Fail).


Time Limits

Expected completion time is two years (full-time). Maximum completion time is four years.

Requests for exceptions to this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Leaves of Absence will be considered according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Regulations.

Completion requirement

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