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Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
Program Overview
Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
At a Glance
- Offered as: Master's
- Format: On Campus
- Credits: 108
- Avg. Time to Completion: 27 months
- College/School: College of Health & Human Services
- Campus Location: Chester, PA
Program Overview
Widener's master's degree in physician assistant studies (MS) will strengthen your critical thinking, leadership, and collaboration skills in a uniquely interprofessional, patient- and community-focused program.
Accreditation Status
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Widener University Institute for Physician Assistant Education Program sponsored by Widener University.
Program Information
Curriculum & Coursework Requirements
View the curriculum and coursework requirements for the Physician Assistant Studies program.
Key Policies
- Academic Appeals policy
- Academic Integrity policy
- Withdrawal policies:
- Withdrawal policy regarding tuition and financial aid
- Leave of Absence/Withdrawal for International Students policy
- Involuntary Medical Withdrawal policy
- Voluntary Medical Withdrawal policy
- Due to lock-step design of the curriculum, the program does not offer advanced placement or part-time options.
- Students are not required to solicit clinical sites or preceptors. Students may inquire about a clinical site and obtain contact information for the director of clinical education to follow up and confirm the rotation for the student.
Handbooks
- Student Handbook
- Preceptor Orientation Handbook
- Clinical Year Handbook
Program Mission, Vision, & Values
Program Mission
The MS program at Widener University will graduate excellent health care professionals to meet the growing need for patients to have access to medicine both locally and globally. The MS program will educate highly effective health care professionals equipped to provide patient-centered medical care to diverse populations across the life span. Students will learn to be competent clinicians, culturally sensitive, socially conscious health care providers able to work in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
Program Vision
The physician assistant program at Widener University will be the leader in physician assistant education by providing experiential and collaborative learning, and interprofessional experiences through community and civic engagement, developing leaders in health care, and ultimately improving the lives of the patients they serve.
Core Values
- Excellence in teaching
- Commitment to service
- Diversity and inclusion
- Professionalism
- Scholarship
- Collaboration
- Kindness and compassion
Program Goals & Competencies
Widener University PA Program Goals
- Admit students with strong academic and clinical experience.
- Foster a student commitment to service.
- Successfully prepare student for entry level practice.
- Emphasize a commitment to evidence-based medicine.
- Prepare students to practice patient-centered care.
- Prepare student for interprofessional collaboration in their practice.
Widener University PA Program Competencies
The Widener University Institute for Physician Assistant competencies represent the requisite medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills required for each student to satisfactory demonstrate in order to graduate from the Widener Physician Assistant Program.
Program Outcomes & PANCE Rates
PANCE Pass Rates
Physician Assistant National Certification Examination
Exam Performance Summary Report
ARC-PA Student Attrition
Program Goal Measurements
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
The Widener University physician assistant program is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We, as a university, program, faculty, and staff, desire to embrace students of all different cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
Licensure by State
Upon the program's receipt of accreditation from ARC-PA, all graduating PA students will be eligible to sit for the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certification Examination) upon graduation.
Outlook & Outcomes for Physician Assistants
Work Environments
- Offices of physicians
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
- Educational services
Example Fields of Medicine
- Primary care
- ER emergency care
- Surgery
- Cardiology
Industry Growth
Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 31 percent by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Avg. Salary
$121,530
Average annual salary of a physician assistant
Why Earn Your MS in Physician Assistant Studies at Widener?
Engage in Interprofessional Learning
Through close collaboration with faculty and students from other professional health care programs, you'll graduate with an in-depth understanding of multi-disciplinary health fields to better support your patients and clients.
Build Clinical Competence and Serve Your Community
As a student, you’ll participate in experiential learning and community engagement projects in collaboration with community partnerships through the Chester Community Clinic.
Strengthen Your Leadership Skills
With support from faculty mentors and clinical practitioners, you'll develop into a citizen of character who demonstrates professional and civic leadership.
Admissions & Aid
Admissions Information
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and overall science GPA of 3.0, at the time of application.
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent sent directly to CASPA.
- Pre-requisite course requirements must be met as described below.
- 3 letters of reference—one must be from a physician assistant.
- Personal statement
- Proof of patient contact experience hours (see tab below)
- Commitment to and evidence of community engagement/service (see tab below)
- Proof of required health screening and immunizations
Patient Contact Experience Hours Requirement
Students are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient/client care.
Application Process & Deadlines
All students outside the reserved seat program must apply through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) website. Upon completion and verification of the application, you may be asked to come for an interview day.
Articulation Agreements
Widener University's physician assistant studies (MS) program maintains the following articulation agreements:
- Penn State University 4+2.5
- University of Delaware: 4+2.5
Admissions Considerations for Special Populations
The Widener University Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to enrolling students of all backgrounds.
Community Engagement/Service
The Institute for Physician Assistant Education defines community engagement/service as any activity or service intended to benefit the local community or society as a whole.
Financial Aid
Applying for Aid as a Graduate Student
Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants.
Paths to Savings
- 85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
- Graduate Assistantships
- Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
- Widener Scholarships
- 20% Discount for Widener Alumni
Program Cost
For questions, please contact the program director.
Estimate of Tuition & Fees
View the _ graduate tuition rate and payment guide_ for a complete breakdown of estimated program costs.
