Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Learn to provide compassionate, respectful, high-quality healthcare as a certified physician assistant. This full-time, 27-month program consists of a 12-month didactic phase followed by a 15-month clinical phase segmented into five-week rotations.

You’ll end the program with a combined 2,000 hours of experience in internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and primary care/family medicine, as well as orthopedics, women’s health, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and one additional elective area.

In the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, you will also:

• Learn from world-class physicians, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals in state-of-the-art medical facilities and in a variety of clinical settings
• Benefit from a student-centered learning environment, in small classes taught by experienced PA educators and gain hands-on clinical experience starting your first year 
• Enjoy an innovative curriculum that includes specific courses offered in a hybrid online/on-campus format
• Focus on primary care and population health and wellness through a patient-centric approach
• Study in SHU’s patient assessment suites, with state-of-the-art technology and clinical simulators such as Harvey, a cardiopulmonary patient simulator that provides high-fidelity heart and lung sounds
• Complete supervised clinical rotation experiences at various SHU affiliated sites
• Become proficient in PA profession competencies as defined by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• Be prepared to sit for the PA National Certification Exam. When you pass the exam, you will be qualified to apply for state licensure in any state and work as a certified PA (PA-C) under the supervision of a licensed physician.

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For more information, fill out the form below or contact Lea DiStasio at 203-371-7884 or at distasiol2@sacredheart.edu.