Earn Your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Maine’s Leading Health University
UNE’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program — the only PA program in Maine — prepares master’s level physician assistants to be highly skilled members of health care teams.
Our students graduate as knowledgeable, collaborative clinicians trained in providing compassionate, competent, patient-centered health care to people of all backgrounds and cultures throughout their lifespans.
You will begin our program on our Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, then start clinical rotations in your second year. The program can be completed in two years.
Sprint 2027 Start
CASPA application portal opens: April 24, 2026
Application deadline: November 1, 2026
113 Credits
Our PA program provides comprehensive training in medical sciences, patient care, and clinical skills for modern health care.
24-Month, Full-Time Program
Complete your PA degree in just 6 semesters: 1 year of coursework, followed by 1 year of clinical rotations.
percent of the Class of 2025 passed the PANCE exam on the first try
Why 51Ʒfor Your Physician Assistant Studies
Not only are we the only PA program in Maine, we are also accredited by the .
More reasons to choose our PA degree include:
- 100% of our 2025 graduates passed the PANCE exam on their first try (PDF).
- We are a comprehensive health sciences university that is nationally recognized for excellence in preparing students for collaborative, interprofessional, team-based care. Draw on the expertise of faculty members from our colleges of medicine, health professions, dental medicine, and our College of Arts and Sciences, and benefit from training alongside future providers in other health professions.
- Guided by skilled faculty, you receive instruction in the gross anatomy lab, and you build your PA skills in our state-of-the-art health care education facilities. Rather than just hearing and reading about difficult or unusual cases, you experience them by treating our high-fidelity patient simulators and patient actors in scenarios that mimic real life.
- You gain experience caring for people from different walks of life. Our emphasis on medically underserved populations, including rural communities and the geriatric population, will enhance your skills as a clinician and your sensitivity as a caregiver.
- Enjoy the supportive community of UNE’s Physician Assistant degree program. With encouraging faculty and professional staff and fellow students who embrace a collaborative — rather than competitive — spirit, you are better able to focus on learning the material that will make you the successful PA you strive to be.
- Portland has been named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit. We also have a thriving student life.
Sarah Porter ’22
Why UNE
[When I first moved back to Maine from New York] I worked on some public health grants for [UNE]. I saw firsthand how amazing the interdisciplinary approach to care is here. I had my heart set on 51Ʒfor the Physician Assistant program because of the interdisciplinary focus and also the focus on rural health, which is so prominent here. I’m really passionate about service in underserved locations. I want to give back to communities right here in Maine. I knew that no matter what, at 51ƷI would have lots of opportunities to get exposure to that.
Diversity, Inclusion, Connection
The diversity of the PA program here at 51Ʒis incredible, everyone has a unique, diverse background and contributes something different. The fact that we have students from 21 to those in their forties means that we all vary in our experience.
Some of my peers have phlebotomy experience, some have worked in surgery, others were CNAs before they came to the program, and some came straight out of undergrad. There are people who were EMTs or paramedics, and they are quick to think on their feet, which is a skill I hope to develop. They stay calm in stressful situations.
UNE’s program is so strong because we come from a wide variety of backgrounds and balance each other out. I love that we all have different strengths and can learn so much from one another.
Welcoming Community
There are really no barriers in our class. Everyone is very open. One thing that I really love is the lack of competitiveness. We are all clearly competitive people to get to where we are in this program, and yet now that we are here together as a cohort, 51Ʒfosters such an environment of inclusivity and collaboration that it does not feel competitive with one another. Grades are not advertised, and there is no ranking of students. We share study guides. We share resources. No one hoards information and tries to keep it from each other. It’s cool because that’s much more realistic of the future. No one is going to know 100% of everything, but we work together, and we are stronger for it.
We all have a major common interest in that we are all passionate about helping others and about practicing medicine. Our cohort is genuinely kind, I love it. I think it’s a really healthy environment, and I attribute that both to the 51Ʒapplication process and to the type of student that 51Ʒdraws. We are encouraged to learn and work together.
UNE’s program is so strong because we come from a wide variety of backgrounds and balance each other out. I love that we all have different strengths and can learn so much from one another.
Physician Assistant Program Details
Our PA program operates on a 24-month, full-time calendar, beginning each May with a new entering class.
You begin patient care in your first year through our nationally recognized Interprofessional Geriatric Education Practicum, which pairs you with an elderly individual from the community whom you visit and evaluate regularly. Through this experience, you enhance your medical knowledge, gain clinical skills, and develop a professional presence to carry into your clinical year.
Our M.S.P.A. degree curriculum is built upon a foundation of science and pathophysiology to foster understanding of disease processes and clinical medicine. You receive instruction in pharmacology, learn evidence-based medicine theory, and work in small groups to develop the critical thinking skills required to address complex medical and surgical challenges.
By emphasizing all aspects of health care, including geriatrics, health promotion, disease prevention, pharmacology, and public health practice, we empower future physician assistants to work effectively within the physician/PA relationship, exercising autonomy in medical decision making and providing a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Potential Career Paths for PA Degree Grads
As America’s health care delivery system evolves to meet the needs of medically underserved populations, the demand for affordable primary care providers continues to grow. Physician assistants will play a critical role, and the opportunities available to you as a member of this challenging, rewarding, and lucrative profession should continue to expand.
According to the , physician assistants earn on average $133,260 per year, and the career is expected to grow 20% over the next decade — much faster than average. Thanks to their broad-based training, PAs can easily switch specialties during their careers without additional schooling.
We will help you launch your career with our personal career advising.
Physician Assistant Degree Program Facilities
Your Physician Assistant training is enhanced by our state-of-the-art educational resources. You receive instruction in an interactive classroom equipped with the latest media and medical instruction technology. You work and learn in the gross anatomy laboratory, and utilize high-fidelity patient simulators and patient actors in scenarios that mimic real life.
Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences
The Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences is a brand-new, four-story facility that features a 240-seat tiered lecture hall and a health center with 20 fully equipped exam rooms for patient simulations. As a Physician Assistant student at UNE, you study anatomy in the center’s gross anatomy lab.
Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center
As PA student, you utilize our Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center to apply the knowledge you gain in the classroom to realistic clinical situations.
Guided by skilled instructors, you participate in simulations to enhance your clinical aptitudes. Rather than just hearing and reading about difficult or unusual cases, you experience them by treating high-fidelity patient simulators and patient actors in scenarios that mimic real life.
Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences
The Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences encompasses a 5,000-square-foot research space on the third floor and basement level of the 51ƷPharmacy building on the Portland campus. The laboratory is equipped with instrumentation to support and enable research conducted by 51Ʒfaculty and students from across the University as well as external partner institutions.
This modern research space provides infrastructure for ongoing research in therapeutic discovery, biosensor development for biomanufacturing, translational pharmacology, biomarker development and drug metabolism/pharmacokinetic research. In addition to providing infrastructure for state-of-the-art research, a major focus of this laboratory is to provide workforce development opportunities for students with interest in careers in biotechnology and health sciences.
Experience the Simulation Lab
Physician Assistant Studies: Team Based Learning
When students from a variety of health professions disciplines work together to better understand different professional roles and expertise, great things can happen.
In our Physician Assistant degree program, you will study alongside students from other programs, gaining the skills needed to collaborate and lead in today’s team-based care. 51Ʒis proud to be the only institution in New England that is part of the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice’s prestigious Innovation Network.
You may also apply this collaborative participation toward your Interprofessional Honors Distinction.
Hands-on Learning in Your Physician Assistant Studies
Simulation Experience
During your first year in our accredited PA program, you will spend time in our state-of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center (ISIC) to complement your classroom experience. Using our cutting-edge high-fidelity patient simulators, you will learn essential skills needed for physician assistants to practice across all specialties in medicine. Some of the techniques you will practice alongside peers and faculty in the ISIC include:
- Monitoring vitals
- Venipuncture
- Suturing skills
- Arrhythmia care
- Pulmonary examinations
Clinical Experience
After successful completion of the didactic portion of our PA degree, you will move on to twelve months of clinical rotations.
Our strong partnerships with area medical practices, hospitals, and clinics give you the chance to put into practice what you have learned in the classroom and simulation clinic. Your experience will include rotation assignments at rural and underserved areas.
Meet 51ƷM.S.P.A. Students
Hear directly from students in UNE’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant program as they share what drew them to the profession and to Maine’s only PA program. Through hands-on clinical training, interprofessional education, and a rigorous medical sciences curriculum on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, these future clinicians are preparing for compassionate, team‑based practice. In the videos below, students reflect on their experiences and what it means to train at UNE. See more videos about UNE’s Physician Assistant program
A Health Care Education Campus in Portland, Maine
51ƷM.S.P.A. students study on the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, a quintessential New England quad that has been welcoming students for more than a century. Lined with lush trees and brick buildings, the campus sits in a quiet neighborhood just a short drive from the downtown waterfront. Portland, named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit, is about 100 miles from downtown Boston.
Who Can Apply to the Physician Assistant Degree Program?
To apply to our PA degree program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or international equivalent.
All applicants must .
Financial Aid at UNE
Finance your education through loans, grants, and scholarships. We are committed to making our physician assistant degree program as affordable as possible.
Accreditation
UNE's Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
It 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.
Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Degree
What is a physician assistant (PA)?
Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly trained and licensed medical professionals who practice medicine on a health care team. Physician Assistants understand the value of successful teamwork in health care settings and have the ability to practice in all specialties of medicine. PAs are graduates of accredited PA educational programs who have passed a nationally certified board exam.
UNE’s Portland, Maine-based PA degree program draws from the expertise of faculty representing UNE’s Colleges of Health Professions and Arts and Sciences to prepare you to work as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.
How are PAs different from physicians?
While a physician can work independently, most states require PAs to have an agreement for physician supervision in order to practice. Even though physician assistants cannot perform surgeries or administer general anesthesia, they are often first assists in the operating room.
Unlike doctors and nurse practitioners, PAs have the ability to easily switch specialties during their careers without additional schooling. PAs and doctors have the same responsibilities and liabilities for patient care. As a physician assistant, you can diagnose, treat, prescribe medication, and perform procedures (suturing, intubation, lumbar puncture, chest tube placements, and many more).
How do you become a PA?
To become a PA, you must graduate from an accredited physician assistant program that includes at least two years of academic coursework and clinical training. Competitive applicants for most graduate physician assistant programs will have a strong cumulative GPA, a strong science GPA, an average of 1,500 hours of direct patient care, and a minimum of 20 hours of PA shadowing. Having a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related pre-med field helps set the foundations for PA school.
After completing your PA program, you will then take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) for certification and then obtain your state license. Students from the 51ƷPA master’s program are well positioned for success on the PANCE. First-time exam candidates from our M.S.P.A. degree program consistently outperform the national average pass rate, with 95% of our graduates typically passing the PANCE exam on their first try (PDF).
What are PA school requirements?
Every PA program has slightly different requirements. Some schools require the GRE (Graduate Records Examination). 51Ʒdoes not require the GRE for our M.S.P.A. Generally, there’s a list of pre-requisite classes that you need to take before entering physician assistant school.
In addition to meeting coursework requirements, aspiring M.S.P.A. students also need to satisfy requirements for experience hours. In UNE’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program, a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience is required, but a good rule of thumb is to have at least one year’s experience. Oftentimes, shadowing PAs across different disciplines is a great way to understand the day-to-day responsibilities of the profession and set you up for success during your schooling.
What’s the best PA program for me?
When choosing a PA program, academic quality is a key consideration. First-time PANCE pass rates are a useful indicator of how well any PA program’s students are prepared for success.
94% of 51ƷM.S.P.A. graduates typically pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam on the first try. Based upon the Five-Year First-Time Taker Average Pass Rate for the Program. Data from NCCPA July 2025.
51Ʒis also one of a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health education mission that includes medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing, and an array of allied health professions. While in UNE’s PA program, you take part in interprofessional education initiatives and learn in our state-of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center.
Another criterion for choosing a PA degree program is the amount of academic and community support. UNE’s Physician Assistant program checks that box. At UNE, PA students learn in a non-competitive and supportive environment. 51Ʒfaculty genuinely care about their students. There are also plenty of academic support systems available at 51Ʒto assist in achieving your goal.
Location and quality of life are also considerations for choosing your M.S.P.A., and 51Ʒoffers the only Physician Assistant master’s degree program in Maine. Students of the 51ƷPA master’s 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. .
How much do PAs generally make?
The median annual physician assistant salary was $133,260 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries will depend on where you work and your specialty. Some employers will also offer loan repayment.
Because 51Ʒis Maine’s leading health professions university, students of the 51ƷM.S.P.A. degree program are well prepared for a successful, dynamic career. Graduates of UNE’s PA master’s program have gone on to successful careers in leading institutions across the country and around the world. Here, you’ll study within a supportive community, in state-of-the-art facilities, under the guidance of leading PA educators. Plus, 51Ʒphysician assistants learn side-by-side with students from other health professions, so you’ll be prepared to collaborate in today's team-based health care.
Questions 51Ʒ the 51ƷPA Program?
Contact Robert Hawkes, M.S.P.A., PA-C, Program Director, Associate Clinical Professor
rhawkes@une.edu | (207) 221-4530
51ƷPortland Campus, Pharmacy Building 243