The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prepares students for clinical positions as primary care physician assistants. The course of study requires 28 consecutive months of work for students who have met the prerequisite requirements and been admitted to the program. Admission is limited and competitive. Students must be admitted to The Graduate School and to the PA master's degree program via separate application processes. Physician assistants are highly skilled medical professionals who have for over 45 years functioned as members of a team delivering quality healthcare. Working with physicians, PAs provide medical services traditionally performed by physicians. These services include taking medical histories, performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting tests, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, educating and counseling patients, performing minor medical/surgical procedures, and, in most states, prescribing medications. The PA's duties are determined by physician supervision as defined by law.