MPAS Program Requirements at a Glance

MSC5001H, Medical Foundations (MF) 1 provides an integrated study of human anatomy, physiology, and pathobiology, forming the cornerstone of medical knowledge for understanding health and disease. This course systematically explores the structure, function, and dysfunction of major organ systems – including the head/neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, musculoskeletal (MSK), and neurological systems – emphasizing their interconnections from cellular to whole-body levels. Students analyze disease mechanisms (e.g., inflammation, neoplasia, genetic disorders) and clinical correlations, bridging foundational science to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The unit culminates with an introduction to therapeutics, preparing students for advanced clinical topics. 

MSC5002H, Medical Foundations (MF) 2 bridges foundational science with clinical medicine, using a systems-based approach to explore pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of diseases across major organ systems. Building on MF1 knowledge, this unit emphasizes clinical reasoning, pharmacotherapy, and evidence-based practice while integrating concurrent anatomy, physiology, and clinical skills training. Each week centers on a case-based learning model, linking theory to real-world patient scenarios while also starting students to review how conditions can be investigated; i.e. how to read X-rays for the Musculoskeletal system, how to read ECGs in the cardiac system, etc. 

MSC5003H, Medical Foundations (MF) 3 advances clinical integration by adopting a specialty-based approach to disease diagnosis and management. Building on MF1 and MF2, this unit covers larger clinical specialties, emphasizing evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and patient-centered care. Students refine skills in differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with continued focus on pharmacotherapy, medication safety, and preventive health. 

MSC5011H, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies (PAPC)1 introduces students to the fundamental roles and responsibilities of Physician Assistants within Ontario and Canada's healthcare systems. Grounded in the profession’s competency frameworks, this unit establishes core competencies for entry-to-practice, including scope of practice, interprofessional collaboration, professionalism, advocacy, and patient-centered communication. Through a combination of didactic learning, clinical exposure, and reflective practice, students begin developing their professional identity while engaging with critical healthcare concepts such as social determinants of health; equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; quality improvement; and patient safety.   

MSC5012H, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies (PAPC) 2 focuses on the essential non-medical expert roles of a Physician Assistant, emphasizing professionalism, equity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Building on foundational concepts from PAPC1, this unit explores critical topics such as social determinants of health; equity, diversity, and inclusion; quality improvement; and patient safety. Students engage in structured reflective practice through the PA Learner Portfolio while gaining hands-on experience in clinical and interprofessional settings.   

MSC5013H, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies (PAPC) 3 further develops the critical non-medical expert competencies essential for Physician Assistant practice, with continued emphasis on social determinants of health as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion. This unit integrates academic learning with hands-on clinical experiences, preparing students for the transition to their clinical year. Through mentorship, reflective practice, and diverse clinical exposures, students refine their professional identity, clinical reasoning, and adaptability in various healthcare settings.   

MSC5014H, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies (PAPC) 4 builds on the foundational skills developed in PAPC1, 2, and 3, continuing the interprofessional education (IPE) and mentorship series while supporting students’ transition into the clinical year. The unit includes structured workshops, mentor meetings, and IPE activities designed to reinforce professionalism, teamwork, and reflective practice in clinical settings.   

MSC5015H, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies (PAPC) 5 advances the professional development series by integrating interprofessional education (IPE), mentorship, with shift to a major ethics curriculum in this course. Building on PAPC4, this unit emphasizes ethical decision-making in clinical practice while continuing to foster teamwork, reflective mentorship, and professional growth. 

MSC5016H, Physician Assistant Professional Competencies (PAPC) 6 serves as the capstone of the professional development series, preparing students for the transition from clinical training to independent practice. This unit continues the interprofessional education (IPE) and mentorship components while emphasizing professionalism, career readiness, and the practical aspects of entering the healthcare workforce. 

MSC5021H, Clinical & Procedural Skills (CPS) 1 provides hands-on training in foundational clinical skills, equipping students with the competencies needed for patient interactions and physical examinations. Through simulated patient encounters (in-person and virtual), students practice history-taking, communication, and system-specific physical exams, ensuring readiness for real-world clinical settings. 

MSC5022H, Clinical & Procedural Skills (CPS) 2 advances students' clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills through problem-based learning (PBL) with virtual patient scenarios. Building on CPS1, this course emphasizes differential diagnosis, evidence-based management, and integration of foundational sciences (Pathology, Pharmacology, Diagnostic Techniques). Students refine history-taking, physical exam skills, and diagnostic interpretation (e.g., EKGs, labs) while preparing for hands-on procedural training in CPS3. 

MSC5023H, Clinical & Procedural Skills (CPS) 3 is the capstone of the pre-clinical skills series, advancing students' mastery of patient assessment, clinical procedures, and complex clinical reasoning. Through immersive simulations, hands-on training, and small-group learning, students refine neurologic/MSK exams, adapt care for special populations, and perform essential procedures. The unit bridges classroom knowledge to clinical rotation readiness, emphasizing high-yield, entry-to-practice PA competencies. 

MSC5031H, Physician Assistant Research (PAR) 1 equips students with foundational skills in health professions research, emphasizing its critical role in evidence-based PA practice. The unit gives an overview of the diverse research methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, alongside quality improvement (QI) and program evaluation frameworks. This units ’s main focus is on evidence-based practice (EBP), equipping students with the skills to search out and identify the best and most relevant evidence to help in their clinical decision-making. 

MSC5032H, Physician Assistant Research (PAR) 2 unit provides a more in-depth understanding of research methodologies with a focus on quality improvement (QI) and program evaluation frameworks and educational scholarship. The unit covers ethical principles in research, such as informed consent and confidentiality, and research ethics board (REB) processes. The unit also addresses equity and inclusivity in research design, highlighting the impact of systemic bias and strategies to promote representative scholarship.  Students develop an understanding of QI principles, as applied to the clinical setting. 

MSC5033H, Physician Assistant Research (PAR) 3 equips students with skills in data analysis, with a particular focus on enabling an understanding of basic statistical methods and interpretation of results. Students develop an understanding of theoretical perspective frameworks and methodologies of qualitative analysis.  

MSC5034H, Physician Assistant Research (PAR) 4 develops students' ability to communicate research effectively across academic and public audiences while maintaining rigorous scholarly standards. Participants master techniques for tailoring messages, selecting optimal dissemination formats (including visual/infographic design) and examining how their positionality shapes knowledge translation. The curriculum combines practical training in scholarly publishing (journal/conference selection, submission processes, writing resources) with critical analysis of research biases and limitations.  

MSC5035H, Physician Assistant Research (PAR) 5 integrates theoretical knowledge from prior coursework with hands-on research application, guiding students through the final stages of data collection and analysis. Participants synthesize their findings by presenting key analyses for peer and faculty feedback, while completing polished drafts of their introduction and methods sections for both a scholarly paper and a poster presentation. The unit emphasizes rigorous data interpretation, academic writing standards, and effective communication of research processes and outcomes.  

MSC5036H, Physician Assistant Research (PAR) 6 is the culminating research unit in which students collaboratively refine their research projects by incorporating feedback from prior submissions to produce two deliverables: (1) a finalized scholarly paper meeting academic standard, and (2) a professional poster presentation. Students formally present their findings to faculty & peers, demonstrating mastery of research communication, synthesis of feedback, and collaborative knowledge translation. This unit concludes with a discussion of possible future research endeavours and explore how to apply for funding, i.e. grant writing and funding strategies. 

MSC5041H, Clinical Unit (CU) 1 immerses students in core clinical placements across diverse medical settings, integrating hands-on patient care with structured academic learning. Students rotate through 3 core specialties (Placement 1, 2 and 3) within one of 10 regional training hubs, gaining exposure to real-world practice while participating in weekly Academic Half Days (AHDs) featuring Problem-Based Small Group (PBSG) learning. This unit bridges foundational knowledge with clinical application, emphasizing patient management, teamwork, and reflective practice. 

MSC5042H, Clinical Unit (CU) 2 builds on the foundation of CU1, expanding students' clinical experience through 4 core specialty placements (Placement 4, 5, 6 and 7) while maintaining the integration of hands-on patient care with structured academic learning. Students continue training within one of 10 regional hubs, deepening their clinical expertise and participating in weekly Academic Half Days (AHDs) featuring Problem-Based Small Group (PBSG) learning. This unit emphasizes advanced patient management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and simulation-based skill refinement. 

MSC5043H, Clinical Unit (CU) 3 is the culmination of the PA clinical curriculum, offering students the opportunity to tailor their training through 3 placements (Placement 8, 9, and 10) in specialties of their choice. This unit combines specialized clinical experiences with continued academic development through weekly Academic Half Days (AHDs), featuring Problem-Based Small Group (PBSG) learning. CU3 emphasizes advanced clinical autonomy, complex decision-making, and synthesis of knowledge across disciplines, preparing students for entry into professional practice.