Examine the Curriculum

The success of WesternU’s MSPA curriculum is demonstrated by the national board passing rates earned by our graduates taking the exam for the first time. We attribute the success of our students to their hard work and our faculty’s commitment to teaching and learning.

PAs work closely with physicians and our two-year full-time program emphasizes the role of the PA as a member of the health care team.

The curriculum:

  • reinforces that you are a member of the profession from day one and emphasizes self-directed learning.
  • uses clinical exercises, mock and standardized patients, and case presentations to prepare you for entry into patient care.
  • offers extensive clinical experience in community-based settings such as private practices, community clinics and hospitals.
  • emphasizes compassionate care, treating patients as individuals first.
Review the Course Listing in our Catalog

For more detail regarding the curriculum, please review the course descriptions (PDF) in our University catalog.

Extensive primary care clinical experience produces graduates who are fully prepared to meet career demands.

You will be:

  • able to integrate classroom and clinical learning.
  • experienced in collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
  • comfortable providing comprehensive care to culturally diverse and disadvantaged patients.
Academic Support

Caring about students and providing assistance so that they can achieve is a hallmark of our faculty. They are respected practitioners and scholars who keep pace with the latest teaching techniques and technology and are committed to helping you master the material.

The Office of Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Office (LEAD) is another resource for on-campus and distance students. LEAD helps students connect academic success with wellbeing.  In individual counseling sessions, students learn time management, test taking, and studying strategies. LEAD facilitates training in managing stress, increasing focus, and professional skills.  Also, LEAD offers a 5-week program for incoming students, Summer Preparedness and Readiness Course (SPaRC).

Learning Along Side Students in Other Health Professions

WesternU’s interprofessional curriculum provides a forum for you to collaborate and learn from students in other University health-care programs. This curriculum provides an opportunity for early networking with other health professionals and ultimately prepares you to better serve your patients through interprofessional collaboration and referrals.

Outstanding Facilities

Western University of Health Sciences is a thriving academic health center spread out over 22 acres in Pomona, CA. As an MSPA student you would primarily utilize Lecture Halls East, West and the PA Clinical Skills Lab in the Health Sciences Center as well as the Clinical Skills Lab in the Health Professions Center.

You will also make use of the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library, a four-story 34,000-square-foot building. The library features hard-wire and wireless capabilities for laptop use in any room; group study rooms and numerous study carrels; and two computer labs. The library’s collection is extensive with approximately 30,000 volumes and journal subscriptions to approximately 500 print journals and access to more than 8,000 electronic journals. Electronic databases are available both on-campus and off-campus through the Library’s website.

Join us for an information session where you can tour the facilities, chat with our students, and learn more about WesternU and our Physician Assistant Program.