Physician Assistant (B.S./M.S.)
What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine under physician supervision. Physician assistants evaluate patients, perform physical examinations, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgery and write prescriptions. As a graduate of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Physician Assistant Program, you’ll be prepared to serve as an effective team member in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
Why Choose ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ's Physician Assistant Program?
- Collectively, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ's Physician Assistant Program faculty members have more than 120 years of clinical practice experience.
- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ's Physician Assistant Class of 2024 has a 100% Pass Rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
- 97% of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ's Physician Assistant Program graduates who have taken the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in the past five years have passed it on their first attempt. .
- Students entering the program as freshmen can earn their B.S. and their M.S. in only five years.
- Top-notch classroom, lab and clinical learning facilities and resources in the Boyle Health Sciences Center.
- Small classes allow students to work directly with faculty members in a supportive environment.
- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Physician Assistant Student Society provides both undergraduate and graduate students in the Physician Assistant Program with opportunities for community service and attendance at statewide conferences.
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ's Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Physician Assistant
As an incoming ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ freshman, this combined program gives you the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in only five years. You would complete math, science and behavioral science course prerequisites, along with the core liberal arts degree requirements, in your first two and a half years of study. You would then enter the graduate phase of the program, consisting of 15 months of intensive coursework followed by 12 months of full-time supervised clinical experiences (rotations). The degree of Bachelor in Medical Studies will be conferred after completion of the Spring II semester of the graduate portion of the program. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant will be conferred after successful completion of the graduate portion of the program.
Your Career as a Physician Assistant
The job outlook for physician assistants is strong, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects it to grow much faster than the average. In 2023, physician assistants earned an average of $130,020 per year. The job growth outlook for the Physician Assistant profession is projected to be 28% higher than other careers for the period of 2023-2033.
Career Services for Life
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s award-winning Career and Professional Development Center will work with your faculty advisors to provide you with the career preparation skills and placement services you need. Should you ever need them after you graduate, the Center’s services will remain available to you as a ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ alumni.
Faculty
James France
Associate Professor of Physician Assistant/Medical Director of Physician Assistant Program
Richard Hutchinson
Associate Professor
Bobbie Leeper
Associate Professor of Biology & Physician Assistant Programs, Coordinator of Medical Studies
Nicole Ludwig
Physician Assistant Program Director and Assistant Professor
Samantha Miller
Assistant Professor / Director of Clinical Education
Jason Thomas
Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Program
Allison Turgeon
Associate Professor
Bethany Vargo
Director of Didactic Education and Associate Professor