Physician Assistant Studies M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/physician-assistant-masters/
Program Director: Dr. Daniel O'Donoghue
Phone: 410-704-6183
Email: dodonoghue@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 earn their Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. At the completion of the program graduates are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination. 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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.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
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
PAST 601 | RESEARCH METHODS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRACTICE | 3 |
PAST 603 | MEDICINE I | 2 |
PAST 604 | MEDICINE II | 6 |
PAST 605 | MEDICINE III | 2 |
PAST 606 | PEDIATRICS I | 2 |
PAST 607 | PEDIATRICS II | 2 |
PAST 608 | MEDICINE IV | 6 |
PAST 609 | PHARMACOLOGY I | 2 |
PAST 610 | PHARMACOLOGY II | 2 |
PAST 612 | PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE | 2 |
PAST 614 | PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE I | 2 |
PAST 616 | PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE II | 2 |
PAST 624 | GROSS ANATOMY | 2 |
PAST 625 | HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 2 |
PAST 626 | ETHICS, ISSUES AND TRENDS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRACTICE | 3 |
PAST 630 | DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES I | 2 |
PAST 631 | DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES II | 2 |
PAST 632 | DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES III | 2 |
PAST 636 | BASIC PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS | 2 |
PAST 637 | ADVANCED PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS | 2 |
PAST 650 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE | 4 |
PAST 651 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM I | 6 |
PAST 652 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM II | 6 |
PAST 653 | PA CLINICAL PRACTICUM III | 6 |
PAST 654 | PA CLINICAL PRACTICUM IV | 3 |
PAST 655 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM V | 11 |
PAST 730 | CLINICAL MANAGEMENT I | 2 |
PAST 731 | CLINICAL MANAGEMENT II | 2 |
PAST 756 | FINAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM | 6 |
PAST 801 | PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT GRADUATE SEMINAR | 1 |
PAST 802 | PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT GRADUATE PROJECT | 1 |
Total Units | 98 |
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.