Master of Science in 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. The didactic year (first year), is composed of 22 medical and clinical science courses that prepare students to enter the clinical year. The program curriculum prepares students to provide patient-centered care and collegially work on collaborative medical teams in an interprofessional environment. The curriculum 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. During the clinical year, students must successfully complete 8 supervised clinical experiences and a summative evaluation course. Each experience has been designed with rotation-specific course topics, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, Women’s Health, Emergency Medicine, and an Elective. Instructional objectives were created to complement and guide the PA student to achieve each course’s learning outcomes and prepare students for clinical practice.

The Program curriculum has been designed to support students' achievement of the mission and goals of the program and program competencies. Program competencies have been developed to align with professional standards put forth by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Competencies are the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical, and technical skills, professional behaviors, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice. Each student who successfully completes the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program is required to possess the skills, characteristics and attributes listed in the program competencies.

Our 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.

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.