Penn College launches master’s in physician assistant studies

Pennsylvania College of Technology is set to accept students into its Master of Science in physician assistant studies for Fall 2023.

The new stand-alone master’s degree replaces the college’s current combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in physician assistant studies.

The Master of Science is designed to be completed in two years, including summer sessions. The first year is spent in intensive lab-based study in the on-campus Physician Assistant Center, which was renovated in Summer 2022. The center is equipped with a cadaver lab, as well as a variety of simulation labs, including a simulated emergency room, operating room, labor and delivery room, inpatient unit, and pediatric and family practice suites.

The second year is spent in eight supervised clinical practice experiences throughout Pennsylvania and beyond – including an option to study in Peru.

To apply, a student must have completed a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite science courses at Penn College or another college or university. Ideal Penn College pathways to the master’s degree include its Bachelor of Science in prehospital medicine and its Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences (also launching in Fall 2023).

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. To practice medicine as a physician assistant, students must graduate from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, pass the national certifying exam and obtain state-specific authorization to practice.

Providing a stand-alone master’s degree in physician assistant studies simplifies the pathway to the degree for those who have already completed a bachelor’s at another institution and seek a direct route to a master’s degree.

PAs are health professionals who are authorized by their state to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of services. PAs can write prescriptions in all 50 states, in most U.S. territories and in the uniformed services, and they enjoy many of the same responsibilities as physicians, including the ability to choose a specialty area of practice.

They find employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices and surgical practices in a wide range of health care areas.

Demand for PAs in the workforce is projected to continue increasing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 31% employment growth – an additional 40,100 openings – from 2020-30.

Penn College’s physician assistant program maintains accreditation-continued status with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, with the approximate date of September 2027 for the next accreditation validation review.

To learn more about the physician assistant program at the college, call 570-327-4519.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.