{"id":7485,"date":"2023-08-11T10:54:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T17:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/?page_id=7485"},"modified":"2026-05-26T14:08:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T21:08:58","slug":"pa-program-competencies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/pa-program-competencies\/","title":{"rendered":"MSPAS Program Competencies"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero-secondary\">\n  <div class=\"relative bg-black\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"adhere object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/health-sciences\/080924-chs_pt_pa_ms-white-coat-112.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"A group of medical students stand in a line on stage, wearing white coats, with red curtains and blue lighting in the background.\">\n      <div class=\"adhere gradient-overlay\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"relative container pt-56 md:pt-112 pb-144 md:pb-192\">\n      <div class=\"md:flex md:justify-between px-12\">\n        <div class=\"sm:w-8\/12 md:w-6\/12 xl:w-5\/12 px-12\">\n                      <div class=\"mb-20\">\n              <div class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-14 text-white leading-130\">\n  <span class=\"inline-block\">\n    <a href=\"\/\" class=\"block hover:underline\">WesternU<\/a>\n  <\/span>\n      <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">College of Health Sciences<\/a>\n          <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">MSPAS Program<\/a>\n    <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n    <span class=\"inline-block\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>            <\/div>\n                                        <h1 class=\"t-h1-sans  text-white\"><\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"tertiary-nav\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n        <nav class=\"relative mx-24 py-10 px-20 rounded-b-5 md:rounded-b-8 bg-gray shadow-md mb-40\">\n      <ul class=\"grid lg:grid-cols-[1fr_auto_1fr_auto_1fr_auto_1fr] lg:gap-x-16 lg:justify-items-center lg:text-center\"> <!-- 4 columns layout, 1 column in mobile -->\n                            <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/apply\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Apply Now<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red mt-8\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">About MSPAS Program<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red mt-8\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/accreditation\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Accreditation<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red mt-8\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/mission-vision\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Mission, Vision and Humanism<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/mspas-faculty-staff\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">MSPAS Faculty &amp; Staff<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/mspas-indicators\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Program Goals<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/pa-program-competencies\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">MSPAS Program Competencies<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/curriculum\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">MSPAS Curriculum<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/policies-procedures\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Policies &amp; Procedures<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/media\/registrar\/2025-2026-catalog-chs-mspas.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Catalog<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Admissions Information<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/technical-standards-for-admissions\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Technical Standards for Admissions<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/students-with-disabilities\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Students with Disabilities<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/competitive\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Competitive Class Stats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/pance-performance\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">PANCE Performance<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/attrition-rates\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Graduation Rates<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/tuition-scholarships\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Tuition\/Scholarships<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/mspas\/mspas-resources\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Resources<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/virtual-advising-appointment\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Virtual Advising Appointment<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/visit-campus-mspa\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Campus<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/#upcoming_events\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Upcoming Events<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red mb-8\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/contact\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact Us<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red mb-8\"><\/div>\n                                      <li class=\"my-8\">\n            <a class=\"text-16 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-black hover:text-red hover:underline transition-default\" href=\"\/health-sciences\/programs\/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies\/faqs\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">MSPAS FAQs<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                                              <div class=\"vertical-line hidden lg:block w-1 invisible bg-red mb-8\"><\/div>\n                        <\/ul>\n    <\/nav>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <p>Western University\u2019s Physician Assistant (PA) Program Competencies represent the required medical knowledge,\u00a0 clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities,\u00a0 interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, and professional behaviors that each graduate must achieve to practice as a PA.\u00a0 Each graduate must demonstrate these skills in order to complete their PA education.<\/p>\n<p>The competencies were developed through integration of the PAEA <em>Core Competencies for New Physician Graduates<\/em>, and the AAPA <em>Competencies for the PA Profession<\/em> (amended in 2021).\u00a0 The competencies align with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) definition of program competencies.<\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">The Program Competencies are assessed during Phase III, in Senior Seminar III, through the following components: 1. PAEA End of Curriculum Exam, 2. Summative OSCE, and 3. Summative Technical Skills Assessment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>\u00a0Medical Knowledge (MK):<br \/>\n<\/strong>Graduates of the WesternU PA program will be able to apply comprehensive knowledge of biologic and clinical sciences to provide acute, chronic, urgent, and emergent, patient-centered care to include women\u2019s health, prenatal care, and care across the life span (infants, children, adolescents, adult, and the elderly).<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00a0Interpersonal and Communication Skills (ICS):<br \/>\n<\/strong>Graduates of the WesternU PA program will be able to communicate effectively with patients, families and health team members, incorporating cultural humility and compassion to build meaningful therapeutic and interprofessional relationships.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00a0Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS):<br \/>\n<\/strong>Graduates of the WesternU PA program will be able to demonstrate the clinical and technical skills required to provide age-appropriate assessment, evaluation and management of patients.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00a0Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving (CRPS):<br \/>\n<\/strong>Graduates of the WesternU PA program will be able to analyze and synthesize relevant clinical, diagnostic, cultural, and contextual information in order to diagnose and manage patients across the lifespan (prenatal, infant, children, adolescents, adult, and the elderly).<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00a0Professional Behaviors (PB):<br \/>\n<\/strong>Graduates of the WesternU PA program will be able to demonstrate integrity, deep understanding of the practice environment, and a commitment to lifelong learning that enables them to provide high quality, equitable care for individuals and communities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":194,"featured_media":0,"parent":45,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-7485","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7485"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11334,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7485\/revisions\/11334"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}