UW-Platteville PA Program

As a new year begins, many people set resolutions to improve their health, often by scheduling a visit to their healthcare provider. But for those living in rural areas, like Southwest Wisconsin, finding a local provider can be a challenge. This is a reality the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is working to change. With the first class of physician assistant, or PA students, set to graduate in 2025, the university is helping address this healthcare gap by preparing a new generation of providers who are likely to stay and practice in the region.

A PA is a mid-level healthcare provider trained to diagnose, treat and prescribe medications independently, though they work under the supervision of a collaborating physician. While PAs hold a master’s degree rather than a doctoral degree, their scope of practice allows them to function autonomously in many clinical settings.

Through an innovative partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, students at UW-Platteville pursue a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from one of the nation’s most respected programs, while completing all coursework on the Platteville campus. Although the degree is awarded by UW-Madison, the program’s strong ties to Southwest Wisconsin ensures students receive a well-rounded education rooted in the needs of rural healthcare.

PA school is a two-year program, and while it’s intense and year-round, it offers a faster track to becoming a healthcare provider. The program at UW-Platteville also offers students an option to accomplish both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree within five years, making it the only program in the partnership to do so.