Dual Master in Gerontology & Physician Assistant Studies

The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Division of Physician Assistant Studies and College of Nursing Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program dual degree program enables students to pursue a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree in conjunction with a Master of Science Gerontology (MSG) degree. By combining gerontology and PA training, graduates of this dual degree program will be equipped to care for and address the needs of older adult populations—such as chronic illness, memory loss, bereavement, and palliative care.  

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Overview

The University of Utah College of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies program are highly ranked within their respective fields, focusing on primary care. The MPAS program is ranked #2 in the country by US News & World Report. The College of Nursing's Master of Science programs are ranked #38 in the nation by US News & World Report.

The Dual MPAS/MSG degree takes 32 months to complete—saving students time, increasing specialization, and increasing the number of primary care to treat an age range in critical need of primary care providers. The dual degree capitalizes on the strengths and missions of the MPAS and MSG programs, attracting a diverse group of students from across the country who are dedicated to improving the health of older adults. While completing these two degrees concurrently would take 51 months, the dual degree program permits highly-qualified students to earn both degrees in 32 months and with significant cost savings. The course of study allows MPAS/MSG students to begin their training by taking core gerontological coursework one semester before beginning the MPAS curriculum and graduating on time, earning both MPAS and MS degrees.

 

First Dual MPAS/MSG Program in the nation

32-month program that culminates in students earning two highly-respected master’s degrees

Meets the growing need for health care providers who specialize in geriatrics

Saves students time and money, while achieving proficiency in the competencies for both professions

Program Curriculum

Prospective students apply to the MSG and the PA programs by the published admissions deadline (Summer Semester). Students seeking to enroll in the MPAS/MSG program must meet current University of Utah admission standards and be accepted individually to the MPAS and MS programs. If students are independently admitted to both programs, they can enter the Dual Degree in Spring semester of the following year (Spring-1). 

Due to the rigorous nature of PA education, the program already has an exception to graduate credit limits. The first semester of the dual degree program is concentrated on the gerontology curriculum at 17 credits total.  Students then progress into MPAS coursework. Students spend three semesters in the PA program, concentrating exclusively on PA coursework. The MSG program accepts three 1-credit courses in this period toward the MSG degree requirements (PAS 6010, PAS6011, PAS 6200) In Summer-2, students take one MSG course to their PA course load (GERON 6500).

In Fall-2, Spring-3, and Summer-3, students complete the clinical portion of their PA curriculum. During Fall-2, students choose one MSG elective. In Spring-3, students take three 3-credit preceptorships. One preceptorship is vetted to meet the elective preceptorship (or relevant core-preceptorship) requirements for the MPAS program and the practicum requirement for the MSG program. Also, in Spring-3, students enroll in the online Research Methods in Aging course (GERON 6003). This is followed the subsequent semester (Summer-3) by the MSG Master’s Project. 

Upon successful completion of all required course elements of the dual degree program set forth above, students will graduate with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree, as well as a Master of Science in Gerontology degree.

  • Spring Year 1

    GERON 6001 – Introduction to Aging
    GERON 6002 – Service Agencies and Programs for Older Adults
    GERON 6050 – Best Practices in Geriatric Care
    GERON 6370 – Health and Optimal Aging
    GERON 6390 – Geriatrics Care Management: Clinical Issues
    GERON 6564 – Interdisciplinary Approaches to End‑of‑Life / Palliative Care

    Summer Year 1

    PAS 6000 – Mission in Practice I
    PAS 6010 – Foundations for Evidence‑Based Practice I
    PAS 6020 – Applied Anatomy
    PAS 6030 – Medical Physiology
    PAS 6040 – Mechanisms of Health and Disease
    PAS 6050 – Medical Interviewing
    PAS 6060 – Infectious Disease
    PAS 6070 – Clinical Pharmacology

    Fall Year 1

    PAS 6001 – Mission in Practice II
    PAS 6011 – Foundations for Evidence‑Based Practice II
    PAS 6140 – Tutorials (Patient Problem Management I)
    PAS 6080 – Lab Interpretation
    PAS 6090 – Pediatrics
    PAS 6250 – Ear, Nose, Throat
    PAS 6130 – Ophthalmology
    PAS 6110 – Pulmonology
    PAS 6120 – Endocrinology
    PAS 6100 – Cardiovascular Medicine

    Spring Year 2

    PAS 6002 – Mission in Practice III
    PAS 6971 – Master’s Project I
    PAS 6141 – Tutorials (PPM‑2) / Friday Clinic / IPE
    PAS 6150 – Hematology / Oncology
    PAS 6160 – Neurology
    PAS 6170 – Gastroenterology
    PAS 6200 – Geriatrics
    PAS 6190 – Psychiatry
    PAS 6180 – Nephrology
    PAS 6260 – Urology

    Summer Year 2

    PAS 6003 – Mission in Practice IV
    PAS 6972 – Master’s Project II
    PAS 6201 – Women’s Health
    PAS 6220 – Musculoskeletal / Rheumatology
    PAS (Obstetrics)
    PAS 6230 – Dermatology
    PAS 6240 – Hospital Medicine (IP Med / OR / EM)
    GERON 6500 – Social and Public Policy and Aging

    Fall Year 2

    PAS 6500 – Preceptorship I
    GERON Elective — choose one:
    • GERON 5005 – Diversity in Aging
    • GERON 6235 – The Aging Mind
    • GERON 6280 – International Dimensions of Lifelong Learning
    • GERON 6520 – Foundations in Long‑Term Care Services & Supports
    • GERON 6604 – Physiology & Psychology of Aging

    Spring Year 3

    PAS 6600 – Preceptorship II
    PAS 6600 – Preceptorship II (meets elective/practicum requirements)
    GERON 6003 – Research Methods in Aging

    Summer Year 3

    PAS 6700 – Preceptorship III
    GERON 6975 – Master’s Project