vb315 Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Was just thinking about how the degree awarded to PAs varies across the board. Some places award a MSPAS (Master's in PA Studies), others offer a MMSc. (Master of Medical Science) and others offer a Master's in Health Science. I'm just curious as to why the degree varies when the accrediting body is all the same (ARC-PA)? To me it makes sense to award a master's in some sort of Medical something (science, studies, etc.) because we are learning medicine, not physician assisting. Any particular reason for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSpectre Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 I have thought about this recently as well. I don't have an answer to the question of why it is this way, but it makes sense that there should be one standard degree across the board for PAs, especially since the profession is now standardized at the master's level (or will be by 2020). I also don't like the "Physician Assistant Studies" aspect of some degrees. My personal preference are those schools that offer the MMSc, as I think it makes the most sense and would be a solid standardized degree for PAs (although my own program is an MSPAS, a Master of Science in PA Studies). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemurcatta Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Especially considering every other health profession has degrees that are mostly standardized and recognizable (for example BSN, MSN, DNP for nursing). Also, these professions have degree titles that reflect their actual practice (i.e. doctor of dental surgery, or master of science in nursing). Would sound pretty weird if it was a "doctor of dentist studies" or "master of registered nurse studies" ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vb315 Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 It sounds like it would benefit everyone to have the degree standardized, especially to those on the outside who aren't familiar with the profession, i.e. legislators. I'm sure it's not as simple as it seems, but it would only make sense to offer the same degree at all programs, especially if every program is held to the same standards by ARC-PA. I feel like it would add to the merit of the profession, but I don't know how much of a factor the degree is in actuality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKPAC Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 The problem is our title. Master of Science in Nursing makes sense. Master of Science in Physician Assisting does not. Personally, I would prefer Master of Medicine. Sounds cool and is in line with Doctor of Medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vb315 Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 LKPAC I agree, Master of Medicine would make the most sense. It would also denote someone who has completed PA school, so when you see it, you know that the person was trained as a PA. I know there's PA-C for practicing PAs, but a standard degree could allow one to be recognized for their training, even if they decide to pursue other endeavors. i.e. John Doe, MMed (regardless of his day to day job, you know that he has medical training). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicinePower Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 MMS makes the most sense. Just like our title it'll never happen because making sense doesn't seem to be what the AAPA/ARC-PA/PAEA wants to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemurcatta Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 Can we make this an issue? Really, it doesn't seem like too much to ask to hold our programs to a unified standard for the professional degree attached to our training.. could be maybe in the next ARC-PA standards? Or a resolution from the AAPA? This is would help reduce fragmentation and increase recognition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelseff Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 The problem is our title. Master of Science in Nursing makes sense. Master of Science in Physician Assisting does not. Personally, I would prefer Master of Medicine. Sounds cool and is in line with Doctor of Medicine.But then I would be Joelseff, MOM, PA-C[emoji19] Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnedintoamartian Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 My degree is Master of a science in medicine. This seems to be an outlier as nearly all others are the MPAS or MMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelseff Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 My degree is Master of a science in medicine. This seems to be an outlier as nearly all others are the MPAS or MMS.What program is that? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 On 10/3/2017 at 11:52 PM, Joelseff said: But then I would be Joelseff, MOM, PA-C Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk MM* ;) nice try though haha. You don't say MOS or MOSN, you say MS or MSN lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelseff Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 MM* ;) nice try though haha. You don't say MOS or MOSN, you say MS or MSN lmaoIt was a joke... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnedintoamartian Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 9 hours ago, Joelseff said: What program is that? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Western Mich. Univ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiggySRNA Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 11 hours ago, Joelseff said: It was a joke... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Oh I know that's the only reason why I quoted you haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paula Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I'm going to take a stab at why there are different titles for the MPAS (which by the way is the worst title other than the title Physician Assistant). I think it is related to the Universities and schools of medicine that house PA Programs. They are full of red and blue tape, very political, and some have a masters degree in medicine which is offered to pre-med students who needs an extra year of school so they get the MMSC (Master of Medical Science). I read that somewhere...... ARC-PA and PAEA need to knock their heads together and come up with an appropriate title for the masters program and it should not have the words physician assistant in it. I like Masters in Medicine or MMSc of Master of Science in Medicine. I believe Western Mich Univ originally was a Bachelor of Science in Medicine when it was BS degree.....right?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnedintoamartian Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 4 hours ago, Paula said: I'm going to take a stab at why there are different titles for the MPAS (which by the way is the worst title other than the title Physician Assistant). I think it is related to the Universities and schools of medicine that house PA Programs. They are full of red and blue tape, very political, and some have a masters degree in medicine which is offered to pre-med students who needs an extra year of school so they get the MMSC (Master of Medical Science). I read that somewhere...... ARC-PA and PAEA need to knock their heads together and come up with an appropriate title for the masters program and it should not have the words physician assistant in it. I like Masters in Medicine or MMSc of Master of Science in Medicine. I believe Western Mich Univ originally was a Bachelor of Science in Medicine when it was BS degree.....right?? I believe that is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vb315 Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 On 10/8/2017 at 5:24 PM, Paula said: I'm going to take a stab at why there are different titles for the MPAS (which by the way is the worst title other than the title Physician Assistant). I think it is related to the Universities and schools of medicine that house PA Programs. They are full of red and blue tape, very political, and some have a masters degree in medicine which is offered to pre-med students who needs an extra year of school so they get the MMSC (Master of Medical Science). I read that somewhere...... ARC-PA and PAEA need to knock their heads together and come up with an appropriate title for the masters program and it should not have the words physician assistant in it. I like Masters in Medicine or MMSc of Master of Science in Medicine. I believe Western Mich Univ originally was a Bachelor of Science in Medicine when it was BS degree.....right?? Definitely makes sense. Like you said some institutions award it as a one-year master's to help boost students chances at getting into medical/professional programs. I saw at Stanford they offer it to PhDs so that they can gain experience in translational research. I agree that the MSPA degree title is terrible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemurcatta Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 The red tape stuff is right, but nothing cuts through red tape faster then the threat of accreditation withdrawal should programs not get on board with a future hypothetical standard degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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