Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
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Overview
Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs practice primary and specialty patient care in medical and surgical settings throughout the United States and worldwide. In order to practice, Physician Assistants must graduate from an accredited educational program and become certified through an examination by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
The University of Pittsburgh is an internationally recognized center for academics and research. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation - Continued to the University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh. Continued Accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Continued 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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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 comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2018. The program is housed within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Students will be admitted to the program upon successful completion of an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution as well as meeting the program admission criteria.
The University of Pittsburgh has dedicated space to the Physician Assistant Studies Program at UPARC (University of Pittsburgh Applied Research Center) located in Harmar. This space includes classrooms, state-of-the-art anatomy lab, breakout rooms, student lounge, computer room, conference room and offices for faculty and administration. The UPARC is a secured facility and includes a cafeteria and easily accessible parking. Classes began at this new facility in January of 2010. The program enrolled its second class in January of 2011 and graduated its first class in December of 2011. Program PANCE results to date.