Physician Assistant Studies (Central Coast), MS

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

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ATSU-CHC School Policies and Information      Length of Program Tuition and Fees Admissions

Technical Standards for Admissions, Matriculation, and Graduation Program Policies Graduation Requirements Courses

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Central Coast PA Program (CCPA)

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Common services provided by physician assistants include taking medical histories and performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting lab tests, prescribing medications, assisting in surgery and counseling patients. Physician assistants are trained through an intense education program. 

Because of their close working relationship with physicians, physician assistants are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). 

Length of Program

ATSU’s Central Coast PA (CCPA) program is a 24-month residential master’s degree program based in Santa Maria, California. Students will spend one year on campus in Santa Maria for the pre-clinical phase of the program. Then, students will enter the clinical phase, including 35 weeks of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in various medical disciplines. Students will spend the entire clinical phase primarily at one of the partnered Community Health Centers (CHC) located in California and across the U.S. The curriculum includes 105 credit hours.

Tuition and Fees

Annual tuition rates are split and billed according to the scheduled semesters and are due on the first week of class. Most fees follow a similar billing schedule with a few exceptions. Rates are subject to change each academic year for all enrolled students. Delinquent balances incur penalties at a rate of 1.5% per month, totaling 18% annually.

For ATSU programs approved to certify for Title IV funding, a Cost of Attendance (COA) is available which provides estimated amounts for direct and indirect expenses for a period of enrollment. 

	Class of 2026, Year 1	Class of 2025, Year 2	Class of 2024, Year 3
Tuition	$41,736	$55,644	$13,914
Student Technology Fee	$1,400	$1,400
Medical Equipment & Lab Fee	$3,019
Student Tuition Recovery Fee	$0

Estimated non-institutional expenses include:

• Background Check $51.50
• Student Health Insurance:
  • Class of 2026 - $3,093/per year (based on 23-24 premium amount)
  • Class of 2025 - $4,148/per year (based on 23-24 premium amount)
  • Class of 2024 - $2,074/per year (based on 23-24 premium amount)

For the 2024-25 academic year:

• Total program cost for the Class of 2026 is estimated to be $49,429.
• Total program cost for the Class of 2025 is estimated to be $61,192.
• Total program cost for the Class of 2024 is estimated to be $16,538.

Estimated cost for the entire program is $127,159.50.

Admissions

Application Process

The CCPA program participates in a centralized application processing service called the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications may be obtained through CASPA at www.caspaonline.org. 

Please refer to the CASPA application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. Questions regarding the CASPA account may be directed to CASPA at 617.612.2080 or by email at caspainfo@caspaonline.org. 

All other questions may be sent to Admissions at admissions@atsu.edu or 866.626.2878 ext. 2237.

The CCPA program seeks to recruit students whose personal goals and background are consistent with the program’s mission. Students who are professional, culturally humble, and have a desire to serve diverse medically underserved populations are an optimal fit.

Step 1 - Apply Through CASPA

The following items must be submitted through the CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants) Portal at CASPA before the CCPA program application deadline.

1. CASPA electronic application (sent through the CASPA portal)
2. Three letters of recommendation (sent through the CASPA portal)
3. Official transcripts (sent through the CASPA portal or directly to ATSU)

Only applications verified by CASPA are reviewed. A CASPA-verified application includes a complete application, including submission of transcripts, and two reference letters. The application, official transcripts, and letter of recommendation must be submitted to move to the next step of the CCPA program applicant review process.

Step 2 - Complete and Submit (1) Secondary Application and (2) Endorsement Documents, if applicable

Upon receipt of a verified CASPA application, the University admissions department will send a secondary application via email to all applicants who have met the program’s minimum admission requirements. The secondary application must be completed and submitted to the program to move to the next part of the CCPA program applicant review process.

If an applicant has received a Hometown Scholar endorsement or an ATSU MOU Partnership endorsement, the endorsement letter must be submitted with the secondary application on or before January 15th. If the letter of endorsement is received at a later time, the applicant will not be eligible for Hometown Scholar or ATSU MOU Affiliate referral for this application cycle.

Step 3 - The CCPA Program Reviews Applicant Materials and Selects Interview Candidates

The CCPA program reviews all applicants who submitted documents prior to January 15th. Applicants are placed in one of three categories:

1. Invite for Interview: Those who have demonstrated that they will be most successful in fulfilling the program’s mission are invited by the CCPA to participate in an in-person interview early in the cycle.
2. Hold for further review: Those who demonstrate moderate capability in fulfilling the program’s mission are held for continued review.  These applicants may be invited for an interview later in the cycle or may not be invited for an interview. This determination will be made prior to the end of April as additional applicants are reviewed and ranked.
3. Not receive an interview:  Those who do not demonstrate that their personal goals and background are a good fit with the program’s mission are not invited to an interview. 

Step 4: Attend an Interview on Zoom

The CCPA interview day is designed as a three-part MMI series. The interview day will consist of a program information and question session with members of program leadership, two short one-on-one interviews with two different faculty members or program affiliates, and a structured group activity. During the structured group activity, multiple applicants will be placed in the same Zoom room and given a task to complete as a team. Applicants will need a computer with a webcam and microphone for this part of the interview but do not need a Zoom account to attend.

Step 5: Receive an Admissions Decision

The Admissions Committee meets after applicant interviews to combine scores and make one of four decisions: (1) offer admission, (2) hold the applicant for further review, or (3) decline the offer of admission. Applicants are notified of the Admission Committee’s decision in writing as soon as possible (usually within 4 weeks) following their interview. At the end of the program’s applicant review cycle, those who were placed on the hold list will either be offered admission, placed on a waitlist, or be declined admission.

It is advantageous for applicants to complete the admissions process in a timely manner, as applications are reviewed as a part of a rolling admissions process.

The CCPA Program Preferred Admissions Criteria Explained

The Central Coast PA program strives to select candidates who desire to practice culturally humble, primary care in medically underserved communities. Qualities that demonstrate that applicants are likely to be successful in fulfilling the program’s mission are considered and scored as part of our holistic admissions process.  While none of these factors alone guarantees acceptance, applicants with the following backgrounds are given preference points in the application review:

First-generation college student

• Being a first-generation college student is not required for admission to the CCPA program, however, applicants who are first-generation college students will be given specific points in the program’s holistic applicant review process.

Patient Care Experience

• Medical experience is not required for admission to the CCPA program, however, medical experience is preferred and points will be awarded in the holistic applicant review process. Following the program’s mission, candidates with experiences in medically underserved areas will be given special consideration by specific points in the program’s holistic applicant review process.
• This category applies to experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient’s care. For example: distributing medication, assisting with treatment or procedures, actively working with patients as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, phlebotomist, physical therapist, dental hygienist, etc. (Medical assistant roles can fall under this category if you had responsibility for patient care and/or engaged in decision-making.)

Volunteer and/or Community Service

• Providing social services to underserved or disadvantaged communities and/or persons is not required for admission to the CCPA program, however, applicants who demonstrate outstanding and altruistic commitment to service and volunteerism will be given points in the program’s holistic applicant review process.

Evidence that an applicant is from an economically disadvantaged background.

• Having an economically disadvantaged background is not required for admission to the CCPA program, however, applicants who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds will be given points in the program’s holistic applicant review process.

ATSU Hometown Scholar

• Being a community center endorsed Hometown Scholar is not required for admission to the CCPA program, however, applicants who have met all of the program’s admissions requirements and have received an endorsement from the local community health center where they live. These applicants will demonstrate a commitment to returning to their hometown Community Health Center to practice one day.  Applicants who receive this endorsement will be given points in the program’s holistic applicant review process and will be automatically offered a remote (via Zoom) interview.
• The endorsement letter MUST be submitted with the secondary application on or before January 15th. If the letter of endorsement is received at a later time, the applicant will NOT be eligible for Hometown Scholar for this application cycle.

Affiliate Referral

• Being referred to our program by an institution for whom the ATSU College for Healthy Communities has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is not required for admission to the Central Coast PA program, however, applicants who have met all of the program’s admissions requirements and have received an endorsement from an ATSU MOU Affiliate will be offered an in-person interview. ATSU MOUs offer a limited number of interviews for qualified applicants who are students or workers of our affiliate partners.
• The endorsement letter must be submitted by the MOU affiliate to CCPA admissions on or before January 15th.  If the endorsement letter is received at a later time, the applicant(s) will not be eligible for ATSU MOU affiliate referral for this application cycle.
• Current MOU affiliates include: Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, and Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.

Residents of the Central Coast Region            

• Being a resident of the Central Coast region of CA is not required for admission to the CCPA program, however, those who have verified addresses in the Central Coast region (Monterrey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties) will be given points in the program’s holistic applicant review process.

While none of these above factors alone guarantee automatic acceptance, they are all considered as part of the holistic application review process.

Admission Requirements

• Demonstrate a minimum 2.5 cumulative overall grade point average *
• Demonstrate a minimum 2.5 cumulative science grade point average *
• The program will not accept any prerequisite coursework that is in progress or pending completion. It is recommended that all prerequisite courses that were completed more than five years ago be repeated before matriculating into the program to give students the greatest opportunity for success. Successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher. **
  • Human Anatomy: 3 semester (4 quarter) credits
  • Human Physiology: 3 semester (4 quarter) credits
    • Or a combined Anatomy & Physiology course, over two or more semesters (each with or without a lab) totaling 6 semester credits (8 quarter) credits
  • Microbiology: 3 semester (4 quarter) credits
  • Chemistry: 6 semester (8 quarter) credits
  • Statistics (biostatistics & psychology statistics accepted): 3 semester (4 quarter) credits
  • Medical Terminology:1 semester (1 quarter) credit
• Demonstrate graduate level proficiency in English, the program’s language of instruction, through the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education institutional accreditor. ***
• Provide three letters of recommendation
  • Letters should be from individuals who know your work ethic well and can attest to your potential for success and your desire to serve medically underserved populations. These letters can come from any of the following sources: employers, supervisors, medical providers, or academic instructors/professors. Recommendation letters cannot be submitted from family members or friends.
• Complete a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education institutional accreditor** with a minimum 2.5 cumulative overall grade point average by no later than 2 weeks before matriculation. *

*Grade point average calculated and reported on a 4.00 scale

**All prerequisite coursework and degree must be completed from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education institutional accreditor. Prerequisite courses completed at foreign or other institutions that are not regionally accredited in the United States are not accepted. Course and transcript evaluations of equivalency are not accepted. CCPA supports all educational experiences from either a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education institutional accreditor, by residential, hybrid, online instruction, or credit by examination.

***CCPA does not provide English language services, including instruction such as ESL.

Transfer Credit

CCPA does not offer advanced placement, prior experiential learning credits, or transfer credits. CCPA has not entered into any articulation or transfer agreements with any other college or university.

International Student Admission

Students who are non-citizens or not permanent residents of the United States are not eligible to apply for the CCPA program at this time.

Technical Standards for Admissions, Matriculation, and Graduation

ARC Standard A3.13e

In addition to the technical standards established by the University that applies to all students, the program has established the following technical standards.

1. Students must be able to observe and participate in all demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, and computer assisted instruction. In addition, students must be able to observe laboratory evidence and microbiologic cultures, microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states.
2. Students must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at a distance and closely. This ability requires functional vision, hearing and somatic sensation.
3. Students must be able to problem solve, collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information within a limited time frame. This information will be presented in a variety of educational settings, including lectures, small group discussions, and individual clinical settings. Students must be able to analyze, integrate, and apply this information appropriately for problem solving and decision-making.
4. Students must be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures.
5. Students must have sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing and smell necessary in order to elicit information, perceive nonverbal communications, and describe changes in mood, activity and posture in addition to the psychomotor abilities to allow the performance of all skills/tests in the physical exam. Students must be able to perform inspection, palpation, auscultation and percussion.
6. Students must be able to relate to patients and family members and establish an empathetic, professional and effective relationship with patients and families including not only speech but reading and writing.
7. Students are expected to be able to communicate the results of the examination to the patient and to their colleagues with accuracy, clarity, and efficiency in oral, written and electronic formats.
8. Students are expected to possess the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the healthcare team.
9. Students must have motor function sufficient to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Such skills require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and sensation.
10. Students should be able to manipulate equipment and instruments to perform basic laboratory tests and procedures required to attain curricular goals (e.g. needles, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum, and scalpel).
11. Students must be able to transport themselves from one location to another in a timely fashion in order to facilitate patient care responsibilities and to receive educational training.
12. Students must have the emotional health to fully use their intellectual ability, exercise good judgment, and complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.
13. Students must be able to tolerate physical, mental, and emotional stress in training and continue to function effectively.
14. Students must possess qualities of adaptability, flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty. He/she must have a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values.
15. Students must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, and all belief systems.
16. Students must be able to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior.
17. Students are expected to be able to display appropriate judgment in the assessment and treatment of patients. In addition, students must be able to learn and demonstrate the ability to recognize limitations in their knowledge, skills and abilities and to seek appropriate assistance with their identified limitations.
18. Students are expected to possess perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the physician assistant curriculum and enter into the practice of medicine as a certified and licensed physician assistant.

CCPA Program Policies

All program policies apply to all physician assistant students, principal faculty, and the Program Director and Chair, regardless of location, except where clinical site policies conflict with program policies, in which event, students, principal faculty, and the Program Director and Chair will be expected to comply with the clinical site policies; however, despite any given clinical site mandate on dress code or identification, students must always wear their student identification badge.

Academic Standing, Progression, & Probation

ARC-PA Standard A3.15a-d

Grading

The CCPA program uses a letter grading scale and adheres to the University grading scale. Students must achieve a minimum of 70% to pass each course by the grading policy outlined in the syllabus for each course.

Academic Standing

ARC-PA Standard A3.15a, b

To maintain good academic standing, each student is required to:

• Receive a passing score of 70.0% (C) or higher in all courses
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

Academic Warning

An academic warning is issued whenever academic problems are identified to enable at-risk students to gain additional academic support and guidance to enhance their future success. Students who are exhibiting performance that puts them at risk of failing a course or receiving a grade of “C” will be issued an academic warning. An academic warning serves as a notice to the student that their current academic performance is putting them at risk for failure to meet the standards of academic performance.  The warning is sent in via email by the Director of Didactic Education, Director of Clinical Education, or Course Director.

An academic warning may be issued for, but is not limited to:

• Failure of any examination or assessment within any course.
• Receipt of professor or preceptor information indicating student challenges in meeting course or program academic standards.

A student who is issued an academic warning may be given recommendations for success that include. but are not limited to:

• Placement in the program’s student success program;
• Referral to the CCPA program Student Success Coordinator;
• Referral to CCPA Learning Specialist;
• Referral to mandatory PALS tutor sessions,
• Attend faculty academic coaching or tutoring sessions;
• Referral to student affairs or to timely care counseling to receive support; and/or
• Referral for accommodations evaluation and counseling.

Students who have only received an academic warning are still in “good standing” in the program. A warning status is NOT recorded in the student’s official transcript. This notice is provided to assist the student with information and strategies on how to remain in “good standing” and matriculate through the CCPA program as planned, and to avoid academic Probation. Students with an academic warning must realize that failure to improve academic performance may lead to academic probation.

Dismissal

ARC-PA Standard A3.15d

The process for dismissal is described in the ATSU-CHC Policies   section of this catalog. Students who are dismissed from the program are not eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) or gain licensure as a PA.

Dismissal Appeal Process

ARC-PA Standard A3.15g

The ATSU-CHC Policies section of this catalog outlines the dismissal appeal process .

Standards of Academic Performance

To maintain good academic standing, each student is required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5. In addition, each course must be passed with a “C” grade or better. Students who fail one CCPA program course will be placed on academic probation (see Academic Performance Summary below) and must remediate the course on a schedule determined by the program.  If the course remediation is successful, the highest grade that will be awarded for the course is 70%. If the student is unsuccessful at achieving 70% or higher in the repeated course, the student will be eligible for dismissal from the program based on lack of academic progression (see Standards of Academic Progression below).

Students who obtain a cumulative GPA of less than the minimum required 2.5 will be placed on academic probation (see Academic Performance Summary Below). Students who fail a course and/or fail to maintain the required cumulative GPA of 2.5 at any time throughout their program of study will be referred to the CCPA Academic Progress Board (APB) (See Academic Progress Board below).

The APB may make recommendations to the student to help the student achieve the required standards of academic performance and to ensure academic progression. Student compliance with these recommendations for academic success will be taken into consideration at subsequent meetings of the APB.

Academic Performance Summary

• Course Failure: Academic Probation and referral to APB.
• Cumulative GPA below 2.5: Academic Probation and referral to APB.

Students are removed from academic probation upon successfully remediating all courses and achieving above a cumulative 2.5 GPA.

Standards of Academic Progression

ARC-PA Standard A3.15b

Progression in the CCPA program is contingent on continued demonstration of satisfactory completion of program objectives and course content. Lack of academic progression is grounds for academic dismissal from the CCPA program and may be determined as the result of, but not limited to, the following conditions:

• Failure of three or more courses; and/or
• Continued academic probation for failure to maintain the minimum required cumulative 2.5 GPA for three consecutive terms; 
• Failure to pass a remediated course with 70% or higher;
• Failure to complete all program requirements within the specified program degree completion timelines.

In situations where a student violates the Standards of Academic Progression for not meeting the established program degree completion timeline, the student may be dismissed from the program.

Academic Progression Summary

• Failure of Third Course: Referral to APB with possible dismissal from the program.
• Cumulative GPA below 2.5 for three consecutive terms: Referral to APB with possible dismissal from the program.
• Failure to meet established program degree completion timelines: Automatic dismissal from the program.

Academic Progress Board (APB)

The Academic Progress Board (APB) monitors student compliance with the Standards of Academic Performance and Standards of Academic Progression.  The APB will meet to review a student’s compliance with standards of academic performance and progression and to review matters regarding student professional behaviors. Students will be notified, in writing, at least seven (7) calendar days before the scheduled meeting of the APB. This notification will state why the student is failing to meet the Standards of Academic Performance or the Standards of Academic Progression and the day, time, and place of the scheduled meeting. The student may attend this meeting in person, via teleconference, or send a letter explaining his/her position in advance of the meeting.

In the case of a student who has failed to meet the Standards of Academic Performance, the student will be required to attend this meeting, in person, by phone or video chat, to ensure student understanding of his/her current academic standing, discuss options to help the student improve his/her current academic standing, and to determine an appropriate plan for repeating courses if necessary.

In the case of a student who has failed to meet the Standards of Academic Progression, the student will be required to attend this meeting in person, by phone or video chat, to ensure student understanding of his/her current academic standing, present his/her case for consideration by the APB, and to ensure appropriate academic due process. The APB will review the student’s academic history, departmental policy regarding academic progression, the student’s explanation of his/her current academic standing, and any other pertinent information.  The APB will then vote by simple majority to determine if the student has failed to meet the program’s published Standards of Academic Progression. The recommendations of the APB are reviewed by the Program Director who is responsible for making the final decision regarding the student’s academic or professional standing. Students will be notified, in writing, by the Program Director, no later than seven (7) calendar days following the APB hearing of the student’s decision.

Academic Progress Board Meetings

The APB will automatically convene at the end of each term to review student compliance with the standard of academic performance and progression.

Members

• Voting members: Associate Program Director (Chair), and two faculty members.
• Ex-officio members (Non-Voting): Director of Student Affairs and the APB Secretary.
• A student’s advisor will not serve as a member (voting or ex-officio) of the APB.
• A quorum is established when a simple majority of the voting members, or their designees, are present at the meeting.
• Outside persons, including legal counsel, will not be permitted to attend nor will meetings be allowed to be recorded.

Remediation Policies and Procedures

ARC-PA Standard A3.15c

All students earning a failing grade in a course (unless receiving a grade of incomplete) may be required to remediate that course failure. Remediation plans for course failure will be designed to reflect the content area where the student was deficient. If the course remediation is successful, the highest grade that will be placed on the transcript for the course is 70%. If the student is unsuccessful at achieving 70% or higher in the repeated course, the student will be eligible for dismissal from the program based on lack of academic progression (see Standards of Academic Progression).

Remediation plans may include additional assignments, written or practical examinations, quizzes, case studies, projects, oral or slide presentations, and/or typed papers. Remediation Plan assessments should provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate comprehension of the course content and be directed toward the content areas within the course in which the student was found to be deficient.

Program Deceleration

ARC-PA Standard A3.15c

Deceleration occurs when a student leaves their original cohort and returns to the program at a later time. Deceleration may occur as a result of failure to meet the program’s standards for academic performance and/or progression or following a voluntary Leave of Absence (see Absence Policies in the ATSU Policies section of this catalog). Deceleration is a mechanism for allowing students an opportunity to repeat a portion of the curriculum. A student who is decelerated will be required to repeat all or part of the didactic and/or clinical portion of the curriculum. When deceleration occurs, the student is placed in a subsequent cohort. The student will not graduate with their original cohort.

Program Withdrawal

ARC-PA Standard A3.15d

The Withdrawal from School  section, found in the ATSU Policies section of this catalog, outlines the program withdrawal process.

Graduation Requirements

ARC-PA Standard A3.15b

To earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree, all students must:

• Complete all prescribed courses within five years of commencing the program. 
• Achieve a grade of ‘C’ or higher on all program courses.
• Achieve a 2.5 or higher cumulative program GPA.

Courses