About the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Saint Joseph's University's 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program prepares you to deliver a broad range of medical services as a physician assistant, including acute patient care, research and education. For more information, please visit the MSPAS program page.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Saint Joseph’s University Physician Assistant Program is to educate future physician assistants with a foundation in equitable, person-centered, evidence-based care, with a focus on primary care (family medicine), interprofessional healthcare, and an exposure to underserved and diverse populations.

To see a complete list of mission and goals, visit the Physician Assistant Studies Mission page.

For all program details including curriculum and coursework requirements, academic standards and grading policies, visit the Physician Assistant Studies Program Details page.

For physician assistant admission information including how to apply and admission requirements, visit the Physician Assistant Studies Admission Information page.

Estimated Direct and Indirect Costs

For requirements for progression within the didactic phase, prerequisites for clinical rotations, requirements for progression within the clinical phase and requirements for graduation, go to the Physician Assistant Studies Progression Requirements page.

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Saint Joseph’s University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Saint Joseph’s University. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding

Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

PANCE PERFORMANCE

NCCPA PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM (PANCE) PERFORMANCE AND SUMMARY REPORT FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS

Five-Year First-Time Taker Summary Report

For the class of 2022, the percentage of students who ultimately passed the PANCE was 71%.

Following successful completion of the PA program, you will be qualified to sit for the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). You will also be required to obtain a license to practice as a PA in your chosen state(s) upon passing the PANCE. Requirements and procedures vary from state to state, but graduation from an accredited PA program, and successful completion of the national certifying examination are two requirements.

It has been determined that graduates of the Saint Joseph’s University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program meet the educational requirements needed to pursue professional licensure in most states with the exception of New York.

• New York requires completion of course work or training related to infection control at the time of initial licensure and every four years thereafter. Specific information about this requirement is provided by the New York State Education Department, Office of Professions.

Following successful completion of the PANCE, you will be issued an NCCPA certificate, entitling you to the use of the PA-Certified (PA-C) designation until expiration. To maintain PA-C certification and retain the right to use the designation beyond the date of certificate expiration, you will follow a two-pronged process, involving submission of certification maintenance materials, including documentation of 100 continuing medical education credits (CME) and successful completion of a recertification exam every 10 years.

View all policies related to the Physician Assistant Studies Program Saint Joseph's University by going to the Physician Assistant Studies Program Policies page.

* Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.

** Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

Saint Joseph’s University’s PA Program Class of 2022 is our inaugural cohort, and will graduate in September 2022.

All enrolled students in the Physician Assistant program at Saint Joseph’s University will have full access to all facilities, services, and resources offered by the University. 

For more information visit the following websites:

• Division of Student Life
• Student Health Center
• Saint Joseph's University Libraries
• Campus Recreation
• Campus Life