Physician Assistant Lab
Program

Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant Program is a rigorous 27-month, state-sponsored, nationally accredited program. The program was established in 1998 and has maintained accreditation since inception. The RRCC PA program is the only community college in the US to confer its own master's degree.
Location(s)
Arvada Campus
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Why Choose RRCC?

Each cohort includes 32 students. Graduates of the RRCC PA program receive a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS). The RRCC PA program has a long history of educating competent, community-minded PAs to practice primary care. Our graduates receive exceptional training and are well-prepared to enter clinical practice upon graduation.

Program Overview

The mission of the RRCC PA Program is to prepare physician assistants to serve all communities by practicing professional, empathetic, inclusive, team-based medicine with a focus on primary care and an emphasis on excellence..

The Program was created in 1998 after several years of needs assessment and after community support was determined to be strong. The first class was admitted in January of 1999; subsequent classes were admitted in August of each year thereafter beginning in 1999

Our accepted students have been successful in careers such as nursing, physical therapy, emergency services, exercise physiology, medical assisting, radiographic technology, respiratory therapy, and audiology, among many others.

Some students hold a master's or doctoral degree; all have a baccalaureate degree prior to acceptance.

Admission to the program is extremely competitive. The average age of each class is between 28 and 30 years old. The RRCC PA Program accepts 32 students per year.

PA Lab
Additional Program Information

The Master's curriculum will add 2 months for a total of 27 months.  PA students will earn 120 credits upon graduation.

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Apply to the Program

The 2024 application cycle opened April 25, 2024 and closed September 1, 2024. Application fees for the 2024 application cycle must be paid by September 15, 2024.

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Program Accreditation

Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

MPAS Degree

The Master's curriculum will add 2 months for a total of 27 months.  PA students will earn 120 credits upon graduation.

Title Details
Physician Assistant MPAS  |  120 Credits
Faculty & Staff

Trish Arbuckle, MPT, PA-C

Director Clinical Training - Physicians Assistant

Kathy Beamis

Admissions and Clinical Training Manager - Physician Assistant

Cindy Bergers

Administrative Assistant III - Physician Assistant

Erika Iverson, M.P.H.

Grant Project Coordinator - Physician Assistant

Dayna Jaynstein, DMSc, PA-C, EM-CAQ

Associate Director - Physician Assistant

Valerie Paulson, MSPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant
303-914-6042

Heather Ross, MD, FACEP

Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant

Kari Schoenwald, MMS, PA-C

Assistant Professor-Physician Assistant

Jennifer Seibert, M.D.

Medical Director - Physician Assistant

Marion Wells, MHS, PA-C

Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant

Alyn Whelchel, DMSc, MSPA, PA-C

Program Director - Physician Assistant

John Witwer

Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant

John Witwer, M.D.

Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant

Allison Young

Administrative Assistant - Physician Assistant Progra
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Tuition Savings

Becoming a student at RRCC prepares you for transfer to a four-year university, prepares you for an exciting new career or can enhance your current skills.

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Academic Programs

Red Rocks Community College offers courses in Arvada, Lakewood and online as well as hybrid courses.

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Transfer Options

In collaboration with Colorado 4-year schools, Colorado has developed a statewide guaranteed transfer program to create a seamless transfer.

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Become a Student

Becoming a student at RRCC prepares you for transfer to a four-year university, prepares you for an exciting new career or can enhance your current skills.