Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Medicine

The University of New Haven Physician Associate Program has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The University of New Haven Physician Associate Program anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2026 or January 2027, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the June 2026 ARC-PA meeting.

Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

If Accreditation-Provisional status is not granted by the ARC-PA, the University of New Haven Physician Associate Program will not matriculate its first class in August of 2026 or January of 2027 as anticipated. The university will not be responsible for refunding application fees or expenses incurred by the applicants during the application and/or interview process (e.g., application fees, travel to/from campus, etc). Deposits made to secure an accepted student's place in the inaugural cohort will be reimbursed if the program does not achieve the status of Accreditation-Provisional.

The mission of the University of New Haven Physician Associate Program is to prepare master’s level physician associates to be highly skilled members of interprofessional healthcare teams. The program is committed to developing clinicians who will provide compassionate and patient-centered healthcare across the lifespan to people of all ethnicities, cultures, or identifiers that may be interpreted as different from the majority. The program places special emphasis on providing a strong primary care foundational knowledge that will train our students to be life-long learners and prepare them to enter a broad range of medical practice settings.

• Develop competent person-centered providers who possess a solid foundation of medical knowledge and are prepared to enter the work force as a new graduate Physician Associate.
• Recruit a diverse pool of qualified candidates with a preference for service-focused individuals who will influence their communities.
• Foster a student-centered learning environment which supports both the educational and emotional needs of our students throughout their graduate education.
• Provide diverse learning experiences for our students to cultivate cultural sensitivity and the provision of equitable and compassionate healthcare.
• Develop providers with leadership skills, a focus on service and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Graduates of the University of New Haven Physician Associate Program demonstrate competence in the following areas.

• Demonstrate foundational knowledge in the sciences of anatomy, physiology, bioscience, and pathophysiology measured by the student’s capacity to synthesize information to formulate a differential diagnosis. (PK)
• Gather essential information through demonstration of patient centered interviewing and, performance of physical exam. (PK)
• Understand principles of pharmacotherapeutics and the application of those principles across the lifespan to ensure safe and effective treatment strategies. (PK)
• Demonstrate knowledge of the utilization and application of laboratory and diagnostic studies to patient care. (PK)
• Formulate an assessment and treatment plan, utilizing clinical reasoning and medical decision-making skills. (PK)
• Perform common procedural skills typically encountered in the clinical setting. (PK)
• Demonstrate competency in differentiating the acuity of clinical presentations. (PK)
• Deliver compassionate, culturally sensitive, effective healthcare that meets the needs of all patients regardless of the social determinants influencing care. (SPH)
• Utilize knowledge of epidemiological science to identify probability of disease, barriers to health, risk factors and resources for disease prevention and health promotion. (SPH)
• Demonstrate the capacity to communicate effectively with all members of the treatment team, patients, and patient family members in a compassionate and effective manner. (HLC, ICP)
• Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding regarding age-specific responses to illness, end-of-life care, and the social and cultural needs of geriatric patients. (SPH, HLC)
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a team-based, collaborative environment with respect for each member's role to ensure effective care delivery. (ICP)
• Demonstrate skill obtaining Informed consent with respect for patient privacy and autonomy. (HLC, PL)
• Demonstrate professional behaviors such as honesty, integrity, leadership, accountability, and a commitment to life-long learning. (PL)
• Demonstrate understanding of standard-of-care and evidence-based treatment protocols. (PK, HLC)
• Demonstrate knowledge of documentation of care, billing, and reimbursement. (HCF)
• Understand healthcare systems, public and private. (HCF)
• Understand the impact of health policy on populations. (HCF, PL, SPH)

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.