Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Program

Welcome to the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program website.

PAs are vital members of today’s healthcare teams, working in every specialty and setting to improve access to care and enhance the well-being of patients and communities. At Misericordia University, we believe that becoming a PA is more than choosing a career, it’s answering a calling to serve others with compassion, skill, and integrity.

Our program is designed not only to prepare you academically and clinically, but also to support your personal and professional growth to become a confident, compassionate and capable healthcare provider. From faculty to staff to students, we are passionate and committed to helping you succeed. Our program fosters an environment where students are mentored, challenged, and encouraged every step of the way. Through a strong foundation in medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and hands-on experience, our goal is to help you attain the abilities required for PA practice to achieve success in the workplace and on the PANCE.

Whether you are just beginning to explore your path in healthcare or are already committed to becoming a PA, we’re excited to be part of your journey. We invite you to explore our program, learn more about our mission, and imagine yourself here with us.

Warm regards,

Erin Burns Kilduff MSPAS, PA-C
Program Director / Chair, Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Physician Assistant Program Description

The Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program is a 25-month, year-round Graduate Program that starts in July, with a class size of 25.

DIDACTIC YEAR
The didactic year (first year), is composed of 22 medical and clinical science courses that prepare students to enter the clinical year. Face to face instruction will take place on campus in our PA dedicated classroom and skills lab. The Gross Anatomy course lab component will take place in the newly built gross anatomy lab.

CLINICAL YEAR
Upon successful completion of the Didactic year, the PA-S will progress into clinical year. In the clinical year, students must complete 8 supervised 6-week clinical experience. The experiences are designed with rotation-specific course topics, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, Women’s Health, Emergency Medicine, and an Elective. Call backs are two days following each rotation consisting of end of rotation exams, student presentations, lectures, and PANCE prep.

SUMMATIVE EVALUATION
The Summative Evaluation course occurs during the final four months of the program. The course focuses on verifying that each student meets program competencies required for entry level practice. In addition, students complete a capstone project and take part in PANCE preparation.

Please reference the curriculum page, and the required academic standards, as well as requirements and deadlines found on the Program policies of interest to prospective students’ tab for more detailed information.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

• Designed to support students' achievement of the mission and goals of the program and program competencies.
• Prepares students to provide patient-centered care and collegially work on collaborative medical teams in an interprofessional environment.
• Establishes a strong foundation in health information technology and evidence-based medicine and emphasizes the importance of remaining current with the changing nature of clinical practice.
• Program defined competencies are the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical, and technical skills, professional behaviors, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice.
• Together, the didactic and clinical curriculum totals 105 graduate credits. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. Misericordia University Physician Assistant Studies Graduates are eligible to take the PANCE for certification.

The Program team consists of experienced PAs, physicians, a pharmacologist, a professor of anatomy, a pathophysiologist, and inter-professional collaborators. We have devoted much time and attention to the development of a PA program that is rooted in sound biomedical concepts and clinical practice. The program fosters and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion to prepare our students to provide service to others that is not exclusionary of any group, race, or culture.