# UC Davis Graduate Studies

**Source**: https://grad.ucdavis.edu/programs/gnpa
**Parent**: https://grad.ucdavis.edu/graduate-programs

# Physician Assistant Studies

## About the Program

### Learn More About the Program

[Visit the Program](https://health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/)

[Email the Program](mailto:eascenciosanchez@ucdavis.edu)

Students gain advanced knowledge and skill to conduct physical exams; diagnose and treat illnesses; order and interpret tests; counsel on preventive health care; assist in surgery; write prescriptions; use autonomy in medical decision making; and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services as a licensed practitioner.

Degree Type

Interdisciplinary Graduate Group

Degrees Offered

M.H.S. Plan II

Lead Dean

School of Nursing

Degree Requirements

[2026](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/4687)

[2025](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/4514)

[2023](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/4265)

[2023](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/4252)

[2022](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/4132)

[2021](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/3792)

[2020](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/3763)

[2016](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/3192)

[2015](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/3193)

[2012](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/3194)

Administrative ByLaws

[2026](https://programs.gs.ucdavis.edu/api/doc/4684)

Major Code

GNPA

---

## Admissions and Fellowship Information

Admission Requirements

[UC Davis General Admission Requirements](https://grad.ucdavis.edu/applying-uc-davis)
\
[Program Admissions Requirements](https://health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/admissions/programs/mhs-pa.html)

Admission Deadlines

General: Dec 1, 2025\

### Admissions Actions

[Request Admissions Info](https://apply.grad.ucdavis.edu/register/?id=9c9a7154-1f83-4dfa-a1c8-e60f719b1b81)

[Apply for Admission](https://grad.ucdavis.edu/node/841)

---

## Program Contact Information

### Primary Program Contacts

Graduate Program Coordinator

**Program Coordinator**\
 Estephany Ascencio - Sanchez
\
[eascenciosanchez@ucdavis.edu](mailto:eascenciosanchez@ucdavis.edu)

**Program Coordinator**\
 Alexa Basurto
\
[HS-SONStudentServices@ucdavis.edu](mailto:HS-SONStudentServices@ucdavis.edu)

**Admissions Coordinator**\
 Katharine Leyva
\
(916) 734-7720 | [SONAdmissions@health.ucdavis.edu](mailto:SONAdmissions@health.ucdavis.edu)

**Program Coordinator**\
 Jennifer Taylor
\
[jlctaylor@ucdavis.edu](mailto:jlctaylor@ucdavis.edu)

Graduate Program Chair

**Graduate Group Chair**\
 Laura Van Auker
\
[lvanauker@ucdavis.edu](mailto:lvanauker@ucdavis.edu)

### Additional Contacts

Program Contacts

**Advisor: General**\
 Kathleen Carlsen
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
[kmcarlsen@ucdavis.edu](mailto:kmcarlsen@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Felix Emond
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [femond@ucdavis.edu](mailto:femond@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Rebecca Gibson
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
[rgibson@ucdavis.edu](mailto:rgibson@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Kathryn Hanks
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
[klhanks@ucdavis.edu](mailto:klhanks@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Victoria Jackson
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [vljackson@ucdavis.edu](mailto:vljackson@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Brent Luu
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [brluu@ucdavis.edu](mailto:brluu@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Cara Sandholdt
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [csandholdt@ucdavis.edu](mailto:csandholdt@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Sumathi Sankaran-Walters
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [ssankaran@ucdavis.edu](mailto:ssankaran@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Nitsa Sebat
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [eesebat@ucdavis.edu](mailto:eesebat@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Emily Thatcher
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
[ethatcher@ucdavis.edu](mailto:ethatcher@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Teresa Thetford
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [tathetford@ucdavis.edu](mailto:tathetford@ucdavis.edu)

**Advisor: General**\
 Michelle Touw
\
Physician Assistant Studies \
(916) 734-2145 | [mtouw@ucdavis.edu](mailto:mtouw@ucdavis.edu)

Graduate Studies Contacts

**Internal Fellowship Analyst**\
 Heidi West
\
(530) 754-9473 | [hewest@ucdavis.edu](mailto:hewest@ucdavis.edu)

**Senior Academic Advisor**\
 Sarah Hamid
\
(530) 754-2355 | [shamid@ucdavis.edu](mailto:shamid@ucdavis.edu)