Physician Assistant Studies
Prepare for a rewarding career in patient care
Become a healthcare professional who makes a meaningful difference in patients' lives every day.
Physician assistants (PAs) diagnose and treat illnesses, provide preventive care, and help patients navigate their healthcare journeys while working in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals. It's also one of the nation's fastest-growing careers, ranking No. 2 on U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Health Care Jobs list.
Through UW-La Crosse's accredited two year Physician Assistant Studies program, you'll build a strong foundation through rigorous coursework during the pre-clinical year, then apply your knowledge through 44 weeks of supervised clinical experiences at three regional healthcare centers.
The program is a collaboration with clinical partners: Gundersen Medical Foundation, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and Marshfield Clinic Health System.
Program at a glance
- Degree: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)
- Format: Full-time, In-person
- Commitment: Two years
- Program start: Summer
- Credits: 108
Physician assistants/physician associates (PAs) are licensed, certified healthcare professionals who practice medicine in partnership with physicians. PAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and research centers.
As a PA, you may:
- Take medical histories
- Conduct physical examinations
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Develop treatment plans
- Provide preventive care
- Assist in surgery
- Prescribe medications
- Make patient rounds
- Conduct clinical research
Career outlook
Why UWL's Physician Assistant Studies program?
UWL's Physician Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant/Associate (ARC-PA) since 1997.
- The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Physician Assistant Program has been granted Accreditation-Continued status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Our next accreditation review is in 2027.
- View the accreditation history on this page.
See our 2026 NCCPA PANCE Exam performance summary report for the last five years.
- 99% five-year first-time taker average pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE)
Our graduates are primarily employed in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. These include the regions served by our clinical partners.
Students complete a 12-month pre-clinical year followed by a 12-month clinical year that includes 44 weeks of supervised clinical rotations across a variety of specialties and healthcare settings.
Benefit from personalized instruction, close faculty mentorship, and a supportive learning environment in a program that enrolls one cohort each year.
Learn from experienced academic and clinical educators through partnerships with Gundersen Medical Foundation, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, and Marshfield Clinic Health System, gaining valuable insight from professionals actively practicing in the field.
Looking for other healthcare options?
Check out our other in-person healthcare options.
Important dates
CASPA application opened in the spring. The application deadline is Aug. 1, 2026
Early November.
Latest news
Hear from an alum
Sam Weigel, PA Studies program student
“This program is excellent. The professors are wonderful and supportive. They challenge us in different ways and push us hard, but only because they know we can do it.”
HIRED!
Marina Hart
Allina Health | Family Medicine Physician Assistant
My time as Diversity Chair for the UWL Physician Assistant Student Society helped me learn to lead with confidence and build skills in interprofessional collaboration. My favorite moment in this role was organizing a campus-wide Narcan training that the OT students helped me bring to life, which brought over 80 students and faculty together!