Accreditation Status
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. See University Accreditation for more information.
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at DMU is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Des Moines University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Des Moines University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be October 2035. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Policies and Procedures
The following resources outline policies and procedures applicable to prospective and current students in DMU’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.
2025-26 Student Resources
* This handbook has been adapted from the full DMU Student Handbook to include only sections applicable to the MSPAS program for accreditation purposes. A full version of the handbook, including links to internal policies, is available on Pulse.
Program Policies and Procedures
- General MSPAS Program Policies
- Health and Immunization Policies
- For information specific to international experiences, see Global Health.
- Academic Performance and Advancement
- Promotion and Graduation
- Student Grievances and Appeals
- Student Employment
- Clinical Student Travel
Program Mission
The MSPAS program’s mission is to develop highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who are committed to patient-centered care.
Our Core Values
- Teamwork: A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is key to providing quality health care and is the cornerstone on which the PA profession was built.
- Integrity: Honesty, respect and high ethical standards are important traits of a health care provider.
- Professionalism: Standards of professional conduct create role models for others, avoid conflicts of interest, promote cultural competence and exhibit dedication to quality medical care.
- Empathy: Compassionate and understanding health care providers address the concerns of the whole person
Program Goals
Evidence of Success
The program maintains a robust process of continuous self-assessment to evaluate performance related to each of its goals and to ensure compliance with ARC-PA’s accreditation standards.
Maintain ARC-PA Accreditation
Recruit and Select Competitive Applicants
Provide Students Experiences, Through a Quality Didactic and Clinical Education, to Prepare Them to Be Effective Members of the Health Care Team
Offer Support for Students to Be Successful in the PA Program
Promote Humanistic Care
Nurture a Foundation of Lifelong Learning
Maintain First-Time PANCE Pass Rates Above the National Average
Program Competencies
Prior to graduation from DMU’s PA program, students will have shown the ability to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of basic scientific principles as they relate to evidence-based clinical medicine. (Medical Knowledge)
- Take a comprehensive patient history and perform an appropriate physical exam to obtain information needed to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings. (History and Physical Examination)
- Recognize the epidemiology, etiology, signs and symptoms and appropriate diagnostic studies necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings. (Diagnosis)
- Utilize preventive health measures and manage disease in patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings, using pharmaceutical therapeutics, clinical interventions and patient education. (Patient Management)
- Demonstrate effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families and other members of the health care team. (Communication)
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the patient’s race, culture, age, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender and physical and intellectual abilities. (Community and Culture)
- Self-evaluate behaviors and medical knowledge to recognize personal limitations. (Professionalism)
- Document adequate patient information regarding care provided, for medical, legal, quality assurance and financial purposes. (Health Care Systems)
- Analyze and utilize medical literature. (Evidence-based Practice)
- Exhibit professionalism, respect, compassion and integrity, with accountability to patients, society and the profession. (Interprofessional Collaborative Practice)