The Physician Assistant Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is guided by our mission to education health care professionals committed to the delivery of comprehensive, preventative and therapeutic health care in a patient-centered manner, with an emphasis on primary health care for all populations in need.
Explore the five distinct PA program tracks, the application process, and why a degree from UW–Madison will prepare you for excellence in education, patient care, and service.
Learning Outcomes
- Medical Knowledge (MK): Understand essential medical knowledge needed to provide patient care.
- Medical History (HIST): Elicit an appropriate history for new, interval, and acute patient encounters.
- Physical Examination (PE): Perform complete and focused physical examinations.
- Clinical Reasoning (CR): Process, and integrate information to develop an appropriate differential diagnosis and clinical impression.
- Diagnostic Studies (Diag): Identify, order, and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies.
- Therapeutics (TH): Formulate an appropriate and comprehensive therapeutic plan.
- Interpersonal Communication With Patients and Families (PTCOM): Communicate effectively with patients and their loved ones to facilitate understanding and collaborate on treatment plans.
- Interpersonal Communication With Health Professionals (MEDCOM): Utilize effective oral and written communication to collaborate with other health professionals.
- Professionalism (PROF): Demonstrate the skills, attributes and behaviors of a competent PA and serve as a member of the professional medical community.
- Technical Skills (TS): Demonstrate proficiency in common procedures and other technical skills as defined by the program.
Certification/Licensure
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Not applicable
Updated: 1 June 2026
Accreditation
Review Commission on Education for the Physicians Assistant
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next Accreditation Review: 2035