MPAS Program

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program is a two-year, full-time, course-based master’s program. The program is designed to educate generalist medical providers who work under the supervision of licenced medical practitioners, are eligible for the national certification exam, and qualify for registration with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

Students will spend the first year primarily undertaking coursework, and the second year completing clinical rotations. Some of the clinical experiences will be offered in a distributed model so that students can develop the unique skills required to deliver health care outside large urban centers. This arrangement will also foster important relationships with preceptors and health care teams in these communities and enhance the likelihood that graduates will establish their careers in these locations. Signature pedagogies within the program will include small group learning and assessment, case analysis, simulation, Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), and programmatic assessment that assesses students learning with multiple written and verbal feedback to support learning. As a competency-based program, students will be prepared to move into professional practice upon graduation following successful completion of the certification exam.

The MPAS curriculum is designed on the foundation of the Canadian Physician Assistant Competency Framework 2021 (Competency Framework) and the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants CanMEDS-PA 2015 (CanMEDS-PA). Using these frameworks ensures that students within the program receive educational experiences to acquire and demonstrate competencies within the domains of: medical expert, communicator, collaborator, leader, health advocate, scholar, and professional. In addition, University of Calgary’s ethos of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility have been adopted as guiding principles in the development of the program to ensure graduates are equipped to provide culturally relevant care during practice.

Program level learning outcomes for MPAS program graduates include:

Integrate the theoretical, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based knowledge gained through different experiences within the program in assessing, evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patients across the life span.
Effectively communicate with patients, individuals, families, communities, and members of the inter-professional team to provide safe and compassionate care within the scope of practice of the profession.
Collaborate in the development and implementation of patient-centered, evidence-based treatment plans within formalized physician, clinical teams, interprofessional healthcare teams, and caregiver relationships.
Apply the principles of structural competence in providing culturally relevant care while advocating for enhanced quality of health care for diverse populations across the lifespan.
Demonstrate evidence-based clinical reasoning and critical thinking in decision making during the provision of care, with a commitment to lifelong learning, and patient education.
Participate in collaborative leadership within healthcare to promote improved health outcomes for patients and communities, and enhanced healthcare systems.
Engage in ethical healthcare practice within a professional and legal framework while practicing within the scope of the profession.