SWAG视频 the SWAG视频 Physician Assistant Department

The SWAG视频's Physician Assistant department offers the only PA degree program in Maine. Join our community of caring students and faculty who are committed to meeting the medical needs of diverse populations.

Become a Vital Part of a health Care Team

As health professionals licensed to practice medicine in collaboration with a physician, Physician Assistants know the value of successful teamwork in the health care setting. Our Portland, Maine-based Physician Assistant master鈥檚 degree program draws from the expertise of faculty representing SWAG视频鈥檚 Colleges of Health Professions, Osteopathic Medicine, and Arts and Sciences to prepare you, through coursework and clinical experiences, to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Icon depicting a calendar with two open house events
Open House

Saturday, November 9

Discover your future at SWAG视频鈥檚 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences at SWAG视频鈥檚 Fall Graduate Open House.

What Makes the SWAG视频 M.S.P.A. Special

State-of-the-Art Facilities

A physician assistant student practices taking blood pressure on a patient simulator

Your M.S.P.A. training is enriched by our state-of-the-art facilities and educational resources. You鈥檒l receive instruction not only in our medical college鈥檚 gross anatomy lab but also in our Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center, which is equipped with the latest media and medical instruction technology, including high fidelity patient simulators.

Exposure to Underserved Populations

Physician Assistant degree program field work.

Your education in SWAG视频鈥檚 P.A. master鈥檚 program will emphasize work with underserved communities, where you can really make a difference. From participation in our nationally recognized InterProfessional Geriatric Education Program, to clinical rotations in rural areas, you'll gain expertise in bringing quality health care and building relationships with those who need it most.

Team-Based Education

A dental student and a P A student in blue scrubs discuss dental work with a patient

As a comprehensive health sciences university, including programs in medicine, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and an array of other allied health professions, SWAG视频 is a national leader in interprofessional education. You'll graduate with the skills to thrive in today's collaborative care, prepared to work as a team with other health care professionals.

Collaborative Learning Environment

Two P A students use stethoscopes to listen to cardiac sounds from a patient simulator

Not only are faculty and staff highly collaborative and encouraging, but it won鈥檛 take long before you notice how supportive your fellow PA students are as well. The friendly and cooperative, rather than competitive, spirit among classmates enhances everyone鈥檚 ability to learn and is a hallmark of SWAG视频鈥檚 Physician Assistant master鈥檚 degree program.

What Our PA Students Say

Testimonial Place Holder

Amy Lucas, '13

Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.)

Why SWAG视频

The things I like most about SWAG视频's Physician Assistant (PA) program are its module-based curriculum and the relationships you are able to make with the faculty. The smaller PA class size allows you to really get to know your classmates and the faculty and allows them to become more than just faculty but rather mentors. 

Another thing that I like about the program is the reputation its students have at clinical rotations. Everywhere I have traveled for my rotations they have talked about how professional and well-prepared the SWAG视频 PA students are for their clinical work.

Beyond the Classroom

Becoming PA class president has been very important to my professional development because it has helped me become more active in our national organization, AAPA, providing me the resources to become a national leader in the PA profession. My rural clinical rotations have also been important to my professional development because they have taught me to be an economical and resourceful provider. Although moving frequently for rotations can be stressful it has been a great opportunity to make lots of connections, learn from a large number of providers, and learn multiple health systems.

My rural clinical rotations have been important to my professional development because they have taught me to be an economical and resourceful provider.
Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.)

Physician Assistant program by the numbers

1,920

Hours each student spends in clinical rotations

(second year)

 

3.55

Average cumulative GPA of most recent incoming class

 

95%

Average first-time pass rate on national certification exam

(PANCE)

Pance Pass rates

M.S.P.A. graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. and see SWAG视频 pass rates (PDF).

The SWAG视频 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

For decades, SWAG视频鈥檚 Portland Campus has been home to many of the University鈥檚 health professions programs including PA, PT, OT, pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine, and more. In 2025, SWAG视频鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine will move from the Biddeford Campus into the new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences in Portland. By bringing our health professions programs together into one interprofessional learning community, we will establish SWAG视频鈥檚 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences as the center of health care education in Northern New England.

Learn about exciting changes on SWAG视频鈥檚 Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

Maine鈥檚 Leading University for the Health Professions and Sciences

Quality Academics, Respected Degrees

SWAG视频 is proud of the recognition we鈥檝e received, which echoes the success of our M.S.P.A. students: 92% of our graduates typically pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam on the first try.

Title
Best Physician Assistant Programs
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2024
Title
Best Colleges: National
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2025
Title
Best Colleges
Source
Princeton Review
Year
2025

Live and Study in Portland, Maine

SWAG视频 offers the only Physician Assistant master鈥檚 degree program in Maine. Our M.S.P.A. degree students study on our Portland, Maine campus, a classic New England quad with brick buildings and tall trees that's about 100 miles from downtown Boston. Portland, named 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Most Livable City鈥 by Forbes and 鈥淔oodiest Small Town in America鈥 by Bon Appetit, is the city on every list. A rustic port hosts a cool cultural scene 鈥 with outdoor adventure all around. SWAG视频鈥檚 campus is just 10 minutes from downtown. 

Portland, Maine lighthouse near SWAG视频.
Portland, Maine Old Port near SWAG视频's campus.
Portland, Maine working waterfront near SWAG视频.

Accreditation

SWAG视频 is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Physician Assistant degree Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The PA Program received provisional accreditation in 1996 and continuing accreditation in 1998. The program last received continuing accreditation in September 2018. Its review for continuing accreditation is next scheduled for 2026. The . Click on the 鈥渄ocument鈥 to access the program鈥檚 Accreditation Actions.