Physician Assistant
Accreditation Statement
At its March 2025 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Saint Elizabeth University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Saint Elizabeth University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in April 2027.
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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.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 at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-st-elizabeth-university/
Program Overview
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Physician Assistant degree program (MS PA Program) is designed to educate physician assistants (PAs) who are committed to excellence in the medical care of all patients; by embracing personal growth and development, servant leadership, and social justice and responsibility. A focus on engaged, active learning in a supportive environment will enable students to obtain the knowledge and skills, and develop the attitudes and behaviors, necessary to demonstrate competency as entry-level clinical PAs. Graduates of the MS PA Program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination and upon passing, obtain state licensure.
The 28-month, 104-credit, cohort-based graduate program will prepare graduates to use evidence-based principles and critical thinking skills in the provision of responsible and compassionate quality medical care. The first 15 months of the MS PA Program are primarily didactic in nature, providing a solid foundation in the basic sciences, patient interaction and evaluation skills, evidence-based practice, and clinical medicine. First year clinical experiences allow students to practice their learned skills concurrently with actual patients. The MS PA Program curriculum incorporates a team-based approach to clinical application thus integrating theoretical knowledge, experience with patients, practical skills, and professional behaviors, while preparing students to function as responsible and respectful members of the healthcare team. Seminar-based coursework focused on PA professional practice, leadership skills, social justice, and application to actual clinical scenarios, continues into the clinical portion of the MS PA Program.
During the final 12-month clinical portion of the program, students will complete nine full-time supervised clinical practice experience courses (clinical rotations) where they deliver care to patients in a variety of settings and disciplines, as members of the healthcare team. Under the guidance of clinically practicing PAs and physicians, these experiences provide students with opportunities to develop competency in the areas of medical knowledge, patient care, and clinical skills while refining their interpersonal and communication skills and professional behavior. Each student will be exposed to patients in the disciplines of internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, women's health, psychiatry, general surgery and emergency medicine. Two elective five-week clinical rotations provide the student with the opportunity to explore other areas of medicine and surgery.
The concurrent required community service-learning component of the MS PA Program provides the student with the opportunity to examine the impact social determinants have on health. Service learning will take place in environments that expose students to community issues such as literacy, education, housing, and hunger, etc. Students will develop a holistic appreciation for patients; and be better prepared to address the challenges, disparities, and social justice issues that may affect a patient's health, wellness and medical care.
The MS PA Program at Saint Elizabeth University provides a rigorous curriculum within a supportive learning environment that emphasizes student achievement and service that will allow the student to attain the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for competent clinical practice. A strong emphasis on personal, academic, and professional growth and development in a spiritually enriched environment supports the students in achieving their goals and prepares them to be life-long learners who strive to do their best in all areas; and provide leadership within their sphere of influence to promote social justice in healthcare and quality medical care for all patients.
Student Learning Outcomes/Competencies
Graduates of the MS PA Program at Saint Elizabeth University will be expected to:
- Medical Knowledge: Employ critical thinking skills to incorporate medical knowledge, evidence-based principles, and patient information into the provision of medical care to patients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Develop appropriate relationships with the members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, and patients and their family members; utilize interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to a given context to effectively exchange information.
- Patient Care: Provide patient-centered medical care including assessment, evaluation and management of patients across the lifespan, as a responsible member of the healthcare team. Support patients in the achievement of optimal health and wellness, taking into account their personal situation.
- Professionalism: Exhibit exemplary professional and ethical behavior at all times and demonstrate respect and sensitivity to diverse patient populations.
- Practice Based Learning and Improvement: Engage in meaningful personal and professional self-assessment and development activities to promote excellence in the practice of medicine and delivery of quality patient care.
- Systems Based Practice: Provide quality medical care and promote patient advocacy and social justice within the context of the larger healthcare system; participate in leadership and advocacy opportunities to support the delivery of healthcare to all individuals and advance the PA profession.