Preparing the Next Generation of Physician Assistants
The Master of Advanced Study in Physician Assistant Studies degree prepares graduates to deliver care as physician assistants. In alignment with the Program’s vision of academic and clinical excellence, the mission of the physician assistant program is to recruit and retain learners who reflect the diverse population of California who will provide safe, effective, person-centered health care in various settings to improve the health and well-being of the patients and communities we serve.
White Coat Ceremony
The ceremonial donning of a white coat marks an important transition from student to clinician. As the Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program welcomed 30 new students to the UC San Diego School of Medicine campus, family and friends cheered, encouraged and celebrated together.
Training for the Future
Bridging cutting-edge research with clinical care, and serving diverse, vibrant communities throughout Southern California.
Applying to Our Program
Accepting applications April 2026
Learn About the Program
Stay up to date with our latest webinar, on-campus, and partner events.
Clinician Educators
We’re seeking clinicians to participate in our didactic and/or clinical program phases.
Contact Us
For questions about the program, please email paeducation@ucsd.edu.
Accreditation Status Statement
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the University of California San Diego Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program sponsored by the University of California San Diego.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-california-san-diego/.