Work alongside a tight-knit group of PA and MD students. Learn through lectures, labs and hands-on clinical experiences.
In the UNM PA Program, you will move through a rigorous curriculum including didactic and clinical experiences. In only 27 months, you will be eligible to receive a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree and be ready to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
The PA program is fast-paced and intensive. We recommend students do not pursue outside employment during enrollment.
The PA Program didactic curriculum is approximately 18 months in length. The curriculum starts in the summer with foundational courses in research and population health. You will then learn basic exam skills in shared courses with medical students before participating in clinical experiences.
Along the way, you will take didactic courses in a range of medical disciplines. Your typical week will consist of 8-10 hours of lecture and lab with additional hours spent in small groups and other learning activities.
PA Program didactic coursework is generally scheduled from 8 AM-5 PM in-person on the UNM Health Sciences Center campus. There are no part-time, hybrid, or distance options for our cohort-based program.
The final nine months of your second year are dedicated to clerkships, or supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs). Through these clinical experiences, you will gain hands-on experience with large academic health center inpatient teams and in rural settings to provide health care to underserved populations.
Clinical rotations include:
All PA students complete rotations in both Family Medicine and Primary Care, in alignment with our program’s mission. The Elective rotation provides an opportunity for the student to complete a clinical field experience in an area of personal interest.
Students should be prepared to complete multiple rural rotations outside of the Albuquerque area. Reliable personal transportation is necessary.
The UNM PA Program was awarded a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) grant in 2021. The project is titled “Enhancing Physician Assistant Training to Serve Rural and Underserved Communities of New Mexico.”
All UNM PA students will participate in a longitudinal course with the University of New Mexico College of Population Health (COPH) to address social determinants and epidemiology of rural and underserved communities. Students will also complete Comprehensive Primary Care Experiences that prepare them to provide care for patients in rural and underserved populations.
Current tuition and fee rate for the 27-month Physician Assistant (PA) program, totaling 86 semester credit hours is as follows:
Resident Tuition & Curriculum Fees
$64,556.94*
Non-Resident Tuition & Curriculum Fees
$116,501.96*
*Estimate based on Bursar’s 2022-2023 tuition memo. We encourage you to visit the UNM Bursar's Office to view current rates as well as details on fees and refund policies. Tuition and fees are subject to change annually by action of the UNM Board of Regents.
Other Costs
Total including health insurance (which may be waived): $19,674
Additional costs may include expenses related to mandatory off-site clinical clerkships.
You will be expected to have a laptop with internet access and Microsoft Office that meets the UNM PA Program’s technical guidelines.
Financial Aid guidance is provided through the UNM School of Medicine Financial Aid Office. All PA students are encouraged to work with the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office for assistance financing their education.
The PA Program is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to admitted students who meet the criteria outlined. Scholarship application information is provided to students currently enrolled in the program.
The University of New Mexico has been rated a Gold Level “Military Friendly University.” Student veterans are encouraged to work with UNM’s Veteran and Military Resource Center for guidance with tuition, scholarships, and other resources.
