Physician Assistant Studies M.S.

Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/health-sciences/grad/physician-assistant/index.html

Interim Program Director: Dr. James McGinnis
Phone: 410-704-6179
Email: jmcginnis@towson.edu

Towson University offers a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. The program begins in June of each year and is 26 months in length. In a time-efficient manner, students complete the requirements to sit for the physician assistant certification examination and earn a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. The program prepares the physician assistant to assume roles in clinical practice, health care leadership, advocacy for clients, education of others and clinical research, as well as carrying out the other responsibilities of a physician assistant. Such roles are important for physician assistants in a variety of practice, education and administrative positions. 

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Inc. (ARC-PA).

At its September 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Towson University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Towson University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2025. 

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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.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. 

Admission Requirements

Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website. All applicants will need to submit an application through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Prerequisites for Admission

Completion of prerequisite courses, with a grade of “B” or better: Anatomy (or Anatomy and Physiology I) (4); Physiology (or Anatomy and Physiology II) (4); Biochemistry (3); Microbiology (4); college-level statistics in any discipline (3); Health Care in the US (HLTH 207) or equivalent (3); and medical terminology (minimum 2 units, 3 preferred).

NOTE:

  • Online labs will be accepted. Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology all require labs.
  • Organic Chemistry is not a substitute for Biochemistry.

Degree Requirements

The master’s degree program in Physician Assistant Studies requires successful completion of a minimum of 98 units at Towson University. A GPA of 3.00 or better overall must be obtained in the graduate courses.

Required Courses

PAST 601RESEARCH METHODS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRACTICE3
PAST 603MEDICINE I2
PAST 604MEDICINE II6
PAST 605MEDICINE III2
PAST 606PEDIATRICS I2
PAST 607PEDIATRICS II2
PAST 608MEDICINE IV6
PAST 609PHARMACOLOGY I2
PAST 610PHARMACOLOGY II2
PAST 612PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE2
PAST 614PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE I2
PAST 616PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE II2
PAST 624GROSS ANATOMY2
PAST 625HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY2
PAST 626ETHICS, ISSUES AND TRENDS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRACTICE3
PAST 630DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES I2
PAST 631DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES II2
PAST 632DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES III2
PAST 636BASIC PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS2
PAST 637ADVANCED PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS2
PAST 650INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE4
PAST 651CLINICAL PRACTICUM I6
PAST 652CLINICAL PRACTICUM II6
PAST 653PA CLINICAL PRACTICUM III6
PAST 654PA CLINICAL PRACTICUM IV3
PAST 655CLINICAL PRACTICUM V11
PAST 730CLINICAL MANAGEMENT I2
PAST 731CLINICAL MANAGEMENT II2
PAST 756FINAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM6
PAST 801PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT GRADUATE SEMINAR1
PAST 802PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT GRADUATE PROJECT1
Total Units98

PA Program Competencies

  • Medical Knowledge: demonstrate core knowledge about biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills: demonstrate verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients and all other persons regarding the health care system.
  • Patient Care: demonstrate care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of wellness.
  • Professionalism: demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Systems-Based Practice: demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that is of optimal value. Also incorporated within this goal is that students will use technologies to identify, retrieve, and apply relevant information.