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Students complete a curriculum that includes a combination of nursing, general education, and supporting courses. Laboratory and clinical practice, which is a part of the curriculum, begins in the first semester and extends throughout the program. A variety of health care agencies in the community are used for clinical experience. Clinical practice courses require a 3:1 ratio of contact hours per credit hour earned. Transportation to the clinical facilities is the responsibility of the student.

The LPN-to-BSN program is designed as a day program and is to be completed through full-time study over 2 years.

All BSN graduates are required to complete a minimum of 128 hours, at least 36 of which must be completed at College of Saint Mary. Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) examination for registered nurses.

LPN-to-BSN Program Outcomes

The LPN-to-BSN Program Option shares the same Core Performance Standards, BLS/CPR Certification, Health Clearance Requirements, Background and Abuse/Neglect Screen Investigations, Progression policies, and Graduation Requirements as the Traditional BSN Program.

The nursing program reserves the right to change the curriculum as deemed necessary for the continuation of high quality education.

The Social Justice and Equity Minor invites students to explore the root causes of social inequities through an interdisciplinary lens and equips them to advocate for meaningful, lasting change. The minor is an excellent addition for students pursuing careers in nursing, social work, education, psychology, other healthcare careers, law-- and a strong asset for those planning to attend graduate school.

Students must complete 18 total credits and a minimum of one course per section.

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 PA Program is to foster excellence, leadership, compassion, and inclusivity to prepare skilled, ethical, and service-driven clinicians, consistent with our core values.

Accreditation

At its June 2025 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the College of St. Mary Physician Assistant Program sponsored by College of St. Mary on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in July 2027.

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-college-of-st-mary/.