Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Dean

Carrie Keib, College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Program Director

Melissa Irwin, DMSc, PA-C

Mission

Educate physician assistants based on a foundation of evidence-based medicine, to competently practice patient-centered care, exercise cultural humility and cultivate a team approach. Graduates will be prepared for the changing landscape of medicine to serve individuals locally, nationally and globally. Physician assistants will be taught on the basis of the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Science’s guiding values: integrity, caring, accountability, respect and excellence (ICARE), interprofessional collaboration and lifelong learning.

Accreditation

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Ashland 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 at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-ashland-university/.

Admission Requirements

An applicant possessing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale may be accepted for admission to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

• Undergraduate degree required from any area of study

• Upper level Biology with lab component

• Microbiology

• Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab component

• Upper level Chemistry with lab component

• Organic Chemistry I with lab component

• Statistics

• Medical Terminology

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

How to Apply

Complete Ashland University Physician Assistant Studies program application via the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) at: https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the PA program, the student will have acquired the knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, clinical and technical skills, and professional behaviors to graduate practice-ready physician assistants:

1. Apply knowledge from basic clinical, and social sciences to the diagnosis and management of specific diagnoses across all ages and patient populations.

2. Use interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and effectively in verbal, nonverbal, and written forms to patients across the lifespan, family, and members of health care teams.

3. Elicit an accurate and pertinent medical history across the patient lifespan.

4. Perform a comprehensive and problem-focused physical exam.

5. Integrate age-related factors, growth, and human development milestones into clinical reasoning and decision-making processes.

6. Order and interpret diagnostic studies to assist in the evaluation and treatment of the patient.

7. Formulate a differential diagnosis based upon historical information, physical exam, laboratory, and diagnostic study findings.

8. Design personalized patient therapeutic management plans that consider cost, efficacy, possible adverse reactions and contraindications that include pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, monitoring and referrals.

9. Communicate the findings of a clinical encounter in written and oral forms to all members of the health care team.

10. Deliver evidence-based education to patients and their family on the health care plan and clinical therapies and results, preventative health, and public health.

11. Use clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to integrate up to date scientific evidence, patient preferences, and clinical judgment to make informed decisions about the care of the patient.

12. Perform common medical and surgical procedures.

13. Demonstrate professionalism including principles of integrity and ethical decision making, sensitivity, and responsiveness in all interactions with patients, families and health care teams.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is a practice-focused degree that prepares Physician Assistants to function in diverse healthcare environments. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based medicine, to competently practice patient-centered care, exercise cultural humility, and cultivate a team approach that will produce practice-ready Physician Assistants upon graduation.

MS Physician Assistant Studies

Courses and Descriptions

See Course Descriptions section of catalog.