Augsburg’s PA Program sets itself apart by living out our mission in every aspect of our teaching. We strive to provide PA education based on a foundation of respect and sensitivity to people of every culture and background. In addition to a comprehensive primary care curriculum that advances alongside healthcare (think telehealth and point-of-care ultrasound) our students learn in an inclusive and active environment with a wide range of community engagement opportunities at the Augsburg Health Commons, international experiences, interprofessional certificates, a graduate educator fellowship, PA doctoral degree, and more!
SUPPORTIVE Learning Environment
Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive space for all students and faculty to reflect on the issues facing healthcare providers today. We strive to identify and understand the gaps in healthcare, address barriers to access, and engage in critical conversations that will improve health outcomes in our communities. We are not perfect, nor do we pretend to be, but we strive to listen, learn, address, and combat contemporary challenges in healthcare and PA education.
The Augsburg PA Program values the experience, perspective, and knowledge that our students bring. The program depends on ongoing conversations between faculty, staff, and students in order to promote student success, with access to the best resources available.
Some examples of our efforts to promote student success:
- Graduate Fellowships and Peer Mentoring
- Student Society Community Building
- Personalized advising, tutoring, and mentoring by faculty, including study groups
- Engagement with PA student advisory groups (admissions, curriculum)
- Dedicated School of Health Research Librarian
- Comprehensive Student Services
- Promoting a student/provider wellness and resilience mindset in the classroom (there is no competition!)
Care FOR ALL
We empower students to practice understanding and interaction with their patients, preparing students to thoughtfully work alongside patients to promote health in everyday life. Incorporating the Social Determinants of Health in each course, we place emphasis on the following CONCEPTS:
- Trauma-informed, Healing-Centered Care
- Adverse Childhood Events and Epigenetics
- Whole-person Care
- Caring for Patients Experiencing Barriers to Health Series
- Religion and Spirituality in Healthcare Practice
- Professional Burnout and Provider Wellness
- Team-based clinical practice
Active Learning
Augsburg focuses on an active learning environment and challenges students to develop skills in clinical decision making, interpersonal communication, and developing content knowledge needed to provide patient care in the ever-changing healthcare landscape. Our program utilizes:
- Cadaver lab small group dissection with clinical case correlations
- SIM lab and patients (actors trained as patients for students to learn from) and mannequins
- Substance Use Disorder curriculum with MAT-waiver training
- Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) throughout the entire curriculum
- Seminar small group, case-based learning with faculty guides
- Lecture-based sessions framed with patient cases
- Interprofessional activities with nurses, doctors, mental health providers, social workers, interpreters
- Technical skills workshops (i.e. suturing, casting/splinting, biopsies, chest tubes, central lines)
Community Health Engagement: Augsburg Health Commons
The Augsburg PA Program is proud to be a part of the Augsburg University Health Commons. The Commons have locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul region and focus primarily on supportive relationships, providing resources to those experiencing barriers to care by de-emphasizing the expert-model. Born from the idea of transcultural nursing, it has blossomed into a network of drop-in centers that span across cultural and departmental boundaries with an emphasis on mutual benefit.
From the first semester, our PA students will learn at one of the many Health Commons locations and continue to remember their “why” as they are also learning in the classroom. Communities that we accompany include the Harrison Neighborhood in North Minneapolis, our own Cedar-Riverside Neighborhood, Downtown Minneapolis, Downtown and East Saint Paul.
Students also participate in events including the Special Olympics of Minnesota Healthy Athletes Program, SAGE Mobile Outreach Screening Programs. We also advocate for the profession through service and mentorship with the Minnesota Academy of PAs, American Academy of PA’s, and Project Access.
Travel Abroad OPPORTUNITIES
International experiences* allow students to expand their perspective on healthcare. As a component of the Masters Project, our PA students may choose to take the interdisciplinary course, “Health Care, Leadership and Universal Responsibility,” In the past, students have traveled to China, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
*There is an additional cost associated with both the master’s project international experience and the international clinical rotation. Students who elect these experiences can expect to pay between $3,000.00 to $6,000.00 in addition to standard PA course tuition. Costs change dependent upon the market, international site and length of stay. Students may choose to apply their financial aid to cover the associated costs.
Responsible Leadership: Augsburg PAs as Healthcare Leaders
Global Experience in Leadership and Healthcare
In addition to clinical advancement, Augsburg offers unique opportunities for PA students to broaden their global and ethical perspectives. Through a joint course between PA and the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program, students can participate in the Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience global studies course. This immersive experience engages students in cross-cultural learning, ethical leadership, and interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging them to explore how healthcare leaders can foster compassion, resilience, and responsibility in a global context. Visit universal healthcare clinics, learn about native and indigenous healing practices, food and art as healing, and eco-sustainability as part of your PA education!
Graduate Certificate in Leadership Studies
In an ever-changing clinical world where PAs are stepping up as leaders, the certificate in leadership studies will help build skills in communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, as well as increase students’ self-confidence and leadership risk-taking. For healthcare organizations, this means having vision and the ability to work across company divisions to make thoughtful decisions. The graduate certificate is an attractive option for PA students, alumni, and PAs in the community who want to further develop their leadership skills.
Admitted PA students can begin coursework in the leadership program prior to starting their PA studies, during PA school, or after graduation. For more information please visit Master’s Certificate in Leadership Studies website or email us at paprog@augsburg.edu.
Doctor of Medical Science for PAs
Augsburg University made history as the first Physician Assistant program in Minnesota, and we are now home to Minnesota’s first Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program. This advanced degree offers PAs the opportunity to deepen their expertise, expand leadership skills, and shape the future of healthcare practice, education, and policy. Graduates of the MSPAS program are eligible to apply for the DMSc program and are eligible for an alumni tuition discount. Consider this as your next step as a PA and leader.