SHU’s Physician Assistant Program Ranks Among Best in the U.S.

Program described as having the ‘best student-centered learning environment’

Sacred Heart University’s master of physician assistant studies (MPAS) program is one of the top programs in the United States. Intelligent, an independent education website, used public data to rank colleges and universities when compiling its list. It describes Sacred Heart’s MPAS program as having the “best student-centered learning environment.” 

Intelligent compiled a list of the nation’s top 49 PA programs after assessing 177 schools and comparing 350 education programs offered online, in person and in blended formats. To meet Intelligent’s top three criteria, a college or university had to be nonprofit, accredited and flexible. It also considered program strength, student readiness, return on investment, cost and student engagement.

Sacred Heart’s MPAS program is full-time over 27 months, comprising a 12-month didactic phase, followed by a 15-month clinical phase divided into five-week rotations. It is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

“We are very proud to be recognized as a top PA program that is student-centered,” said Adam Olsen, department chair and program director of SHU’s physician assistant studies. “We truly care about our students and their success, and we continually strive for excellence.”

Students complete SHU’s program with a combined 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice experiences in internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, primary care and family medicine, as well as orthopedics, women’s health, emergency medicine, behavioral health and a clinical elective. Students benefit from small, in-person classes taught by experienced physician assistants (PAs) and interdisciplinary educators who value in-person, hands-on learning as the best approach for PA education.

The need for PAs will increase 31% in the next decade due to population growth, expanding health needs and insurance reform, according to Intelligent. Its website says the top 49 PA programs “are highly-regarded, economical, and equipped with the tools needed to teach their given degree.”