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Join the Fast-Growing Field of Physician Assistants with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Sacred Heart
Answer the call to join one of the medical field’s fastest growing careers. The world needs more physician assistants (PAs).
The Association of American Medical Colleges annual report predicts a shortage of as many as 122,000 physicians by 2032. PAs are part of the solution to provide equitable and timely access to medical care. Sacred Heart can prepare you in 27 months. If you are a compassionate individual with exceptional problem-solving skills, a patient-centered personality and a team-oriented nature, this may be the perfect career for you.
What is a PA?
PAs are board-certified medical professionals who diagnose illnesses and manage treatment, prescribe medication, perform minor surgeries, perform physical exams, order and interpret lab tests and are part of a health-care team with other physicians and providers.
PAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician offices, rural and urban health centers, nursing homes, retail clinics, schools and university-based facilities, industrial settings, correctional institutions, the military and federal government agencies.
Why should I become a PA?
America is facing a health care worker shortage. As the population ages, the need for medical care services rises. We need more providers to help meet demand.
PAs are educated in general medicine, which allows them the flexibility to change specialties throughout their careers. Clinical rotations include primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, general surgery, emergency medicine mental health and orthopedics plus an elective such as oncology, cardiology or global health.
PAs enjoy a healthy work-life balance and high job satisfaction rates. The job outlook projects faster-than-average growth expected at 28% between 2021-2031. U.S. News & World Report ranked PA as the #2 best health care job and the #3 best job overall in 2023.
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Why Sacred Heart’s Master of Science in physician assistant studies (MSPAS) program?
SHU’s MSPAS program is ranked #20 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Students benefit from a student-centered learning environment, in small in-person classes taught by experienced PA and interdisciplinary educators. Students learn in state-of-the art facilities at the Tandet Center on the Stamford Hospital Campus. Classrooms include the patient assessment suite and an anatomy lab equipped with an Anatomage Table—a fully segmented real human 3D anatomy platform. Training also includes simulation with low- and high-fidelity mannequins with the ability to closely mimic human body functions.
Clinical rotations include primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, general surgery, emergency medicine mental health and orthopedics plus an elective such as oncology, cardiology or global health. Students may choose to study at our Dingle, Ireland, campus or explore other international opportunities where they can gain clinical experience in the health system of another culture.
Local clinical placements include Stamford Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Montefiore of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists, Bridgeport Hospital, Northeast Medical Group and more.
How do I gain the recommended 1,000 patient-care hours before applying?
The most competitive applicants should have 1,000 hours of paid, verifiable, direct patient care experience. Don’t be discouraged. This is only about six and a half months of full-time work hours. You can gain this experience working as a medical assistant, certified nurses’ aide (CNA), emergency medical technician (EMT), licensed practical nurse (LPN/LVN), medical scribe, radiological technician, respiratory therapist, physical therapy aide or a military medic or corpsman.
“By the end of the first year, it was overwhelmingly gratifying to look back at all of the knowledge I gained in such a short period of time,” said Michaela Davies ’23. “When I stepped into clinicals, it was an amazing and rewarding feeling being able to use everything I learned from the classroom and studying to help diagnose and treat real patients.”
Ready to learn about the next step?
Excited to learn more about the MSPAS program at SHU? Speak with Lea DiStasio, our admissions director, by reaching out directly to her email at distasiol2@sacredheart.edu or schedule a meeting via the portal on our website.
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