M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership
The M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership at OCU is a 36-credit-hour program that can be complet...
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
INTAKE: January
Program Overview
The MPAS program at OCU is a rigorous 28-month curriculum. It is divided into two distinct phases: an initial 15 months of intensive didactic (classroom) training followed by 13 months of supervised clinical practice experiences. The program is designed to provide a thorough understanding of disease mechanisms and the application of critical thought to medical decision-making. A unique aspect of OCU's program is its parallel course of study in the business aspects of medicine, providing students with a greater understanding of medical practice management, which is crucial for successful practice. The program received Accreditation-Continued for a full 10-year cycle in March 2020, demonstrating its adherence to high standards.
Curriculum: The curriculum is delivered in an integrated systems-based format, ensuring a holistic understanding of the human body and its diseases. The didactic phase covers a wide range of basic and clinical sciences, including human anatomy, physiology, pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology, and clinical medicine courses focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases across various body systems (e.g., pulmonary, cardiac, endocrine, musculoskeletal). This phase also incorporates medical humanities, where students explore social and ethical issues in medicine through discussions and readings. The clinical phase consists of required rotations in key areas such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Surgery, and Emergency Medicine, along with medical/surgical electives. The final month of the program involves a preceptorship and a summative evaluation process to ensure readiness for entry into the profession.
Research Focus: Oklahoma City University's Physician Assistant program maintains an applied focus within its curriculum, emphasizing evidence-based medicine and critical thinking in medical decision-making. While not a primary research institution in the sense of large-scale laboratory studies, the program's goals include graduating PAs proficient in applying critical thought to medical decision-making and committed to life-long learning through evidence-based practice. Students are trained to access and interpret medical literature, which forms the foundation of evidence-based medicine. The program assesses this goal through evaluations of students' ability to access and discuss medical literature during both didactic and clinical phases. Faculty, often with clinical experience, integrate current medical knowledge and best practices into the teaching, fostering an environment where students can apply research to clinical scenarios.
Industry Engagement: Oklahoma City University's MPAS program has strong ties to the healthcare industry, particularly within Oklahoma. The program's development was supported by numerous PAs, physicians, and community leaders, ensuring it produces graduates who meet the vital healthcare needs of the state. The clinical phase of the program involves 13 months of supervised clinical practice experiences throughout Oklahoma, providing extensive hands-on training in various medical settings and specialties. A significant portion of these clinical rotation sites are located in low-income zip codes, emphasizing community service and experience with underserved populations. The program also integrates insights into the business aspects of medicine, preparing students for the practical realities of healthcare management. Faculty, often current practitioners, bring direct industry experience into the classroom, further enhancing the relevance of the curriculum.
Global Perspective: The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at Oklahoma City University fosters a global perspective by instilling in its graduates a commitment to compassionate care for diverse populations. While not explicitly offering international rotations, the program's strong emphasis on community service, particularly within underserved communities in Oklahoma, prepares students to understand and address health disparities that often have global parallels. The program's mission to improve lives in the communities they serve, coupled with its focus on a team-based model of healthcare delivery, encourages a broad view of patient needs. Furthermore, the foundational medical knowledge and clinical skills taught are universally applicable, preparing graduates to adapt to various healthcare systems and patient demographics, even if they choose to practice internationally later in their careers.
Location
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 38946
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 83 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Oklahoma City University (OCU) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to attract and support talented international students. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and reward academic excellence, leadership, and artistic achievement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: OCU provides merit-based scholarships to international students who demonstrate outstanding academic records, leadership potential, and community involvement. These scholarships are automatically considered during the admission process, and amounts vary based on academic achievement and program of study.
Performance and Talent Scholarships: Students applying to OCU’s renowned performing arts programs, including music, dance, and theater, may be eligible for performance-based scholarships. These awards recognize exceptional artistic ability and provide financial support to help students pursue their creative passions at a professional level.
Transfer Student Scholarships: International students transferring from other accredited institutions may qualify for transfer scholarships. These awards acknowledge previous academic success and help make the transition to OCU more affordable.
Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships: Graduate students, especially those in business, law, and healthcare fields, can access scholarships and assistantships that offer tuition remission and stipends in exchange for teaching or research support. These opportunities provide valuable experience and financial relief.
Oklahoma City University's (OCU) Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program is designed to produce highly competent and compassionate healthcare providers, specifically addressing the critical need for PAs in underserved and rural areas. The program's rigorous 28-month curriculum, blending intensive didactic training with extensive supervised clinical practice across various medical settings in Oklahoma, prepares graduates for a wide array of roles. The emphasis on business aspects of medicine and a commitment to community service further enhances their readiness for successful practice.
Family Medicine PA: A common and crucial role, especially given OCU's focus on serving underserved areas. Family medicine PAs provide comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages, managing a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, conducting routine check-ups, and emphasizing preventive care.
Emergency Medicine PA: Works in fast-paced emergency departments, assessing and treating patients with acute illnesses and injuries. This role demands quick thinking, strong diagnostic skills, and the ability to perform minor procedures, all of which are covered in OCU's curriculum and clinical rotations.
Internal Medicine PA: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of complex and chronic medical conditions in adult patients. This often involves managing multiple comorbidities and coordinating care with specialists, reflecting the broad medical knowledge gained during the MPAS program.
Surgical PA (First Assist): Works closely with surgeons in various specialties (e.g., general surgery, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery). They assist in surgical procedures, provide pre- and post-operative care, and manage patients on the surgical ward. OCU's program includes a dedicated surgery rotation.
Pediatric PA: Specializes in the healthcare of infants, children, and adolescents. This role involves well-child visits, managing common childhood illnesses, and addressing developmental concerns, leveraging the specific pediatric rotation in OCU's curriculum.
Women's Health PA / OB/GYN PA: Provides comprehensive gynecological and obstetric care to women, including routine exams, prenatal care, family planning, and assisting in labor and delivery. OCU's program includes a Women's Health rotation to provide this specialized training.
Behavioral Health / Psychiatry PA: Addresses mental health conditions, often collaborating with psychiatrists to provide assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans for patients with various psychiatric disorders. OCU's program includes a dedicated Behavioral Health rotation.
Hospital Medicine PA: Works within hospital settings (inpatient wards, critical care units), managing hospitalized patients' care, making rounds, admitting and discharging patients, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. This role is highly in demand as hospitals increasingly rely on PAs for inpatient care.
Urgent Care PA: Provides immediate care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries in an outpatient setting. This role requires versatility, a broad scope of knowledge, and efficient patient management, making it an excellent fit for MPAS graduates.
Specialty PA (e.g., Cardiology, Dermatology, Orthopedics): PAs have the flexibility to specialize in numerous areas beyond their general training. Graduates can pursue careers in specific fields like cardiology (managing heart conditions), dermatology (diagnosing and treating skin conditions), or orthopedics (assisting with musculoskeletal issues and injuries), often after gaining initial experience or through post-graduate fellowships.
