Physician Assistant Master of Science (MS)
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | Phone: (267) 284-5000
The Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). / ADDRESS / 3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345, Suwanee, Georgia 30024 | Phone: 770.476.1224
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Marywood University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Marywood University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2026. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
- Degree Requirements
- 5 Year Program Requirements
- 5 Year First-Time PANCE Pass-Rate
- ARC-PA Accreditation History
- Attrition & Graduation Rates
MISSION STATEMENT
The Physician Assistant Program at Marywood University is committed to providing students with an exceptional education in a supportive and nurturing environment. This professional education will include the biomedical and clinical knowledge necessary to diagnose, treat, educate, and empower patients in a variety of settings across the lifespan.
- The Program is committed to preparing students to deal with the changing healthcare environment while promoting the PA profession.
- The Program emphasizes the importance of creating a knowledge community for future PA students to succeed while providing leadership to promote the PA profession.
- The Program acknowledges that patients are more than his or her physical body; therefore, the Program is dedicated to teaching our students to appreciate the patient’s spirit in addition to caring for his or her body.
- The Program has an awareness of the need for quality healthcare, both regionally and globally, and the Program prepares each student to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion; advocate for their patients; serve their communities; and undertake the challenges of an ever-changing healthcare environment.
PROGRAM GOALS
Effectiveness in meeting our goals per ARC-PA »
- To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be successful, competent physician assistants.
- To prepare students to participate as effective members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams in the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of diverse populations across the lifespan.
- To develop effective interpersonal and communication skills within the medical community.
- To encourage students to utilize service opportunities to gain professional experience, enhance their classroom learning, and strengthen their community.
- To develop professionalism and leadership skills at the local, state, and national level, shaping future policy and legislation to promote Physician Assistant practice.
Make a Difference in Healthcare with a Physician Assistant Degree
Earning a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from Marywood University prepares you for a medical career that's in demand and growing to meet expanding health care needs. The Physician Assistant Program at Marywood is committed to providing students with an exceptional education in a supportive and nurturing environment. This professional education will include the knowledge necessary to diagnose, treat, educate, and empower patients in a variety of settings.
We provide students with the foundation for professional growth through personalized attention, diverse clinical experience, and a commitment to excellence. Our students are encouraged to incorporate Marywood University’s goal of learning to live and practice medicine responsibly in an interdependent world. Our distinctive program offers a non-competitive team approach and specialized clinical tracks.
The Master in Physician Assistant Studies program is 24 months in duration and begins in May.
Didactic Year: The first 12 months are didactic and include classroom and laboratory work in basic and applied medical science. Typical classes are Monday through Friday and include 40 hours of coursework per week.
Clinical Year: The final 12 months are clinical and include ten 5-week rotations. Students return to Marywood at the end of every 5-week rotation to participate in End-of-Rotation examinations, lectures geared toward PANCE review, and professional development activities.
- Classroom, laboratory, and hands-on experience
- Ten, 5-week clinical rotations
- Personalized attention from highly credentialed faculty
- Specialty clinical tracks available in Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics/Sports Medicine, Hospitalist Medicine, Surgery, and Addiction Medicine.
The job of working in athletics came naturally for me. I wanted to pursue a field where the work I did would be meaningful to others for the long term. Becoming a physician assistant is what I want out of my life. And, while the thoughts of quitting have crossed my mind, I stuck it out, and continue to strive for my goal. I concentrated all my efforts on digging deep and making that decision to pursue a physician assistant degree. Being at Marywood is a good decision. I can’t imagine getting through this pursuit without Dr. Palmiter’s guidance. I’m glad to have her as a resource.
Maleena Reid '23 Read All Testimonials
Outcomes & Opportunities
Top Employers
- Hospitals
- Office-Based Private Practice
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine Subspecialties
Top Career Paths
- Surgical Specialties
- Family Medicine/General Practice
- Urgent Care
- Federal government/Hospital/Unit
Dig Deeper Into the Program Details
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families joins academic programs to innovative research. Students from the physician assistant program are among those who have classes in this building. The Physical Assessment Lab (PAL) includes 22 exam tables and 5 private exam rooms for practical education and individual testing of history taking and physical examination techniques. In addition, there are X-ray view boxes, operating room scrub sinks, and a variety of teaching models.
The Center for Natural and Health Sciences
In addition to lab and classroom spaces, The Center for Natural and Health Sciences features an Anatomage virtual dissection table, made possible through a generous grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation in Scranton. This table allows students to study human and animal anatomy using state-of-the-art digital technology.
O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
1401 University AvenueMap & Directions
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, located on University Avenue, provides classroom and research space, joining academic programs to innovative research. Students from the Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Respiratory Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs have classes in this building.
Learn More | Take a Virtual Tour
Healthy Families Classrooms
Map & Directions
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families is the academic home of students in the nursing, nutrition and dietetics, respiratory therapy, and physician assistant programs, all of whom have classes in this building. Exercise Science students also take classes here. The facility includes traditional classroom space as well as clinical and lab space.
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Healthy Families Center Computer Lab
Map & Directions
The Computer Lab in the O'Neill Center is located in Room 207, and there is a printer available.
Learn More
Center for Natural and Health Sciences
206 Morgan RoadMap & Directions
The Center for Natural and Health Sciences contains various science laboratories, computer labs, the 100-seat Comerford Theatre, and various classrooms. Classrooms for our Math and Computer Science, Science, Nursing, and Public Administration programs are in this building.
Learn More | Take a Virtual Tour
Science Center Classrooms
Map & Directions
The Center for Natural and Health Sciences contains classrooms for our Math and Computer Science, Science, Nursing, and Public Administration programs.
Learn More
Request Information
Latest Program News & Events
Physician Assistant Events
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | Phone: (267) 284-5000
The Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). / ADDRESS / 3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345, Suwanee, Georgia 30024 | Phone: 770.476.1224
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Marywood University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Marywood University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2026. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
- Degree Requirements
- 5 Year Program Requirements
- 5 Year First-Time PANCE Pass-Rate
- ARC-PA Accreditation History
- Attrition & Graduation Rates
MISSION STATEMENT
The Physician Assistant Program at Marywood University is committed to providing students with an exceptional education in a supportive and nurturing environment. This professional education will include the biomedical and clinical knowledge necessary to diagnose, treat, educate, and empower patients in a variety of settings across the lifespan.
- The Program is committed to preparing students to deal with the changing healthcare environment while promoting the PA profession.
- The Program emphasizes the importance of creating a knowledge community for future PA students to succeed while providing leadership to promote the PA profession.
- The Program acknowledges that patients are more than his or her physical body; therefore, the Program is dedicated to teaching our students to appreciate the patient’s spirit in addition to caring for his or her body.
- The Program has an awareness of the need for quality healthcare, both regionally and globally, and the Program prepares each student to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion; advocate for their patients; serve their communities; and undertake the challenges of an ever-changing healthcare environment.
PROGRAM GOALS
Effectiveness in meeting our goals per ARC-PA »
- To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be successful, competent physician assistants.
- To prepare students to participate as effective members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams in the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of diverse populations across the lifespan.
- To develop effective interpersonal and communication skills within the medical community.
- To encourage students to utilize service opportunities to gain professional experience, enhance their classroom learning, and strengthen their community.
- To develop professionalism and leadership skills at the local, state, and national level, shaping future policy and legislation to promote Physician Assistant practice.
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