Become a Vital Part of a health Care Team
What Makes the UNE M.S.P.A. Special
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Your M.S.P.A. training is enriched by our state-of-the-art facilities and educational resources. You’ll receive instruction not only in our medical college’s gross anatomy lab but also in our Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center, which is equipped with the latest media and medical instruction technology, including high fidelity patient simulators.
Exposure to Underserved Populations
Your education in UNE’s P.A. master’s program will emphasize work with underserved communities, where you can really make a difference. From participation in our nationally recognized InterProfessional Geriatric Education Program, to clinical rotations in rural areas, you'll gain expertise in bringing quality health care and building relationships with those who need it most.
Team-Based Education
As a comprehensive health sciences university, including programs in medicine, dental, nursing, pharmacy, and an array of other allied health professions, UNE is a national leader in interprofessional education. You'll graduate with the skills to thrive in today's collaborative care, prepared to work as a team with other health care professionals.
Collaborative Learning Environment
Not only are faculty and staff highly collaborative and encouraging, but it won’t take long before you notice how supportive your fellow PA students are as well. The friendly and cooperative, rather than competitive, spirit among classmates enhances everyone’s ability to learn and is a hallmark of UNE’s Physician Assistant master’s degree program.
What Our PA Students Say
Sarah Porter '22
Why UNE?
[When I first moved back to Maine from New York] I worked on some public health grants for [UNE]. I saw firsthand how amazing the interdisciplinary approach to care is here. I had my heart set on UNE for the Physician Assistant program because of the interdisciplinary focus and also the focus on rural health, which is so prominent here. I’m really passionate about service in underserved locations. I want to give back to communities right here in Maine. I knew that no matter what, at UNE I would have lots of opportunities to get exposure to that.
Diversity, Inclusion, Connection
The diversity of the PA program here at UNE is incredible, everyone has a unique, diverse background and contributes something different. The fact that we have students from 21 to those in their forties means that we all vary in our experience.
Some of my peers have phlebotomy experience, some have worked in surgery, others were CNAs before they came to the program, and some came straight out of undergrad. There are people who were EMTs or paramedics, and they are quick to think on their feet, which is a skill I hope to develop. They stay calm in stressful situations.
UNE’s program is so strong because we come from a wide variety of backgrounds and balance each other out. I love that we all have different strengths and can learn so much from one another.
Welcoming Community
There are really no barriers in our class. Everyone is very open. One thing that I really love is the lack of competitiveness. We are all clearly competitive people to get to where we are in this program, and yet now that we are here together as a cohort, UNE fosters such an environment of inclusivity and collaboration that it does not feel competitive with one another. Grades are not advertised, and there is no ranking of students. We share study guides. We share resources. No one hoards information and tries to keep it from each other. It’s cool because that’s much more realistic of the future. No one is going to know 100% of everything, but we work together, and we are stronger for it.
We all have a major common interest in that we are all passionate about helping others and about practicing medicine. Our cohort is genuinely kind, I love it. I think it’s a really healthy environment, and I attribute that both to the UNE application process and to the type of student that UNE draws. We are encouraged to learn and work together.
UNE’s program is so strong because we come from a wide variety of backgrounds and balance each other out. I love that we all have different strengths and can learn so much from one another.
Physician Assistant program by the numbers
Hours each student spends in clinical rotations
(second year)
Average cumulative GPA of most recent incoming class
Average first-time pass rate on national certification exam
(PANCE)
Pance Pass rates
M.S.P.A. graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Learn more about the PANCE exam and see UNE pass rates (PDF).
The UNE Portland Campus for the Health Sciences
For decades, UNE’s Portland Campus has been home to many of the University’s health professions programs including PA, PT, OT, pharmacy, nursing, dental medicine, and more. In 2025, UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will move from the Biddeford Campus into the new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences in Portland. By bringing our health professions programs together into one interprofessional learning community, we will establish UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences as the center of health care education in Northern New England.
Learn about exciting changes on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences
Maine’s Leading University for the Health Professions and Sciences
Quality Academics, Respected Degrees
UNE is proud of the recognition we’ve received, which echoes the success of our M.S.P.A. students: 92% of our graduates typically pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam on the first try.
Live and Study in Portland, Maine
UNE offers the only Physician Assistant master’s degree program in Maine. Our M.S.P.A. degree students study on our Portland, Maine campus, a classic New England quad with brick buildings and tall trees that's about 100 miles from downtown Boston. Portland, named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit, is the city on every list. A rustic port hosts a cool cultural scene — with outdoor adventure all around. UNE’s campus is just 10 minutes from downtown. Take a Virtual Tour of our Portland Campus
Accreditation
UNE is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Physician Assistant degree Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The PA Program received provisional accreditation in 1996 and continuing accreditation in 1998. The program last received continuing accreditation in September 2018. Its review for continuing accreditation is next scheduled for 2026. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website. Click on the “document” to access the program’s Accreditation Actions.
