Profession Overview
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a nationally certified medical provider who is licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease and prescribe medication for patients. PAs work in physician offices, hospitals, and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician. The physician-PA relationship is fundamental to the profession and enhances the delivery of health care.
Program Description
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program is 24 months in length consisting of a 12-month didactic component followed by a 12-month supervised clinical practice experience (SCPEs). The didactic phase is comprised of classroom instruction in advanced basic sciences, clinical skills, clinical medicine, pharmacology, behavioral medicine, ethics, and research.
Advanced Standing Policy
No advanced standing is allowed in the program, regardless of previous graduate work or experience in healthcare. All incoming students must complete the entire PA curriculum.
Mission
The mission of the College of Saint Mary Physician Assistant Studies Program is to establish an educational environment fostering academic excellence and leadership, which prepares students to become competent Physician Assistants who possess the knowledge, compassion, and clinical skills necessary to provide high quality medical care to all patient populations, including those that are underserved.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the College of St. Mary - NE Physician Assistant Program sponsored by College of St. Mary - NE. 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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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 2031. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-college-of-st-mary/.