Physician Assistant Studies

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program at the Stanford University School of Medicine is a premier, highly selective graduate program designed to train the next generation of clinical leaders, researchers, and educators. Operating in the heart of Stanford’s vibrant biomedical hub, the program prepares graduates to deliver compassionate, evidence-based patient care while actively shaping the future of medicine.

The Stanford MSPA program is distinguished by its integration with the broader medical school curriculum, a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory, elite clinical anatomy training, and unique preparation of students for leadership. Leadership curriculum includes a longitudinal research project in a leadership track, culminating in a thesis manuscript and presentation. Under the close mentorship of practicing Stanford PAs and physicians, students are equipped to meet the challenges of contemporary clinical practice and are qualified to successfully sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).

Academic and Clinical Training Pathways

The MSPA program is structured as a rigorous, 9-quarter academic journey (with one scheduled summer break) that balances intensive classroom instruction with hands-on, immersive clinical training:

• Integrated Didactic Curriculum: PA students enroll as a cohort and complete a substantial portion of their didactic coursework alongside Stanford medical (M.D.) students. This interprofessional model fosters mutual respect, cooperative learning, and team-based communication skills from day one.

• Early Patient Exposure & Simulation: Didactic learning is supported by early clinical exposures, advanced physical exam training, and simulated patient encounters within Stanford’s state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation centers.

• Clinical Clerkships: During their clinical year, students complete rotations through Stanford-affiliated hospitals—including Stanford Health Care opens in a new tab and Stanford Medicine Children's Health opens in a new tab—as well as premier ambulatory practices and community healthcare networks throughout California.

Leadership Tracks and Thesis Innovation

A signature, highly innovative feature of the Stanford MSPA program is its commitment to developing healthcare leaders. In addition to their core clinical training, all students select a specialized Leadership Track and design, execute, and present an original Thesis Project in one of five distinct areas:

• Community Health: Designing public health interventions, outreach programs, and community-engaged solutions to improve wellness in underserved populations.

• Health Services and Policy Research: Investigating the systems, economics, and policies that govern healthcare quality, accessibility, and delivery.

• Clinical Research: Participating in original clinical investigations to advance evidence-based medical treatments and protocols.

• Medical Education: Exploring pedagogical methodologies, curriculum design, and innovative teaching strategies to train future generations of healthcare providers.

• Healthcare Administration: Developing essential management, operations, and leadership skills to lead clinical teams and medical organizations.

Admissions and Application Information

The MSPA program is open to both external and internal applicants holding a qualifying bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited academic institution in the United States or Canada, or a qualifying graduate degree from the United States. Advanced placement and co-terminal pathways for current Stanford undergraduates are not available at this time. For more information, please visit the Admissions section of the Stanford MSPA website opens in a new tab.

For admissions inquiries, please email PAadmissions@stanford.edu rather than calling the main number below.