Physician Assistant Studies

Program Director and Department Chair:

Carrie Walker, M.P.A.S., M.S., PA-C

Contact:

860.231.5420 or  pastudiesprogram@usj.edu

Accreditation:

The Physician Assistant Studies Program at University of Saint Joseph has received Connecticut state program licensure and applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). University of Saint Joseph anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2017, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2016 ARC-PA meeting. 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.  Should the program not gain licensure or accreditation, the class anticipated to matriculate in January 2017 will receive a full refund of any deposit or tuition payment and the program will not commence. 

Membership:

Physician Assistant Education Association

Mission Statement:

The Physician Assistant Studies program will foster the development of engaged learners into well-qualified Physician Assistants. Intellectual rigor in a spiritually enriched environment will cultivate competent, ethical members of the health care team who demonstrate the highest level of integrity and a commitment to life-long learning. Graduates will exemplify a sense of social responsibility through service to the community and their profession.

Program Goals:

The USJ Physician Assistant Studies Program strives to achieve the following goals:

1. Graduate highly competent PA’s prepared to enter clinical practice upon graduation

2. Cultivate a spiritually enriched learning environment

3. Provide a learning atmosphere imbued with intellectual rigor

4. Emulate the values that result in the formation of ethical physician assistant graduates

5. Prepare graduates who are collaborative members of the health care team, and provide patient-centered care in an inter-professional context

6. Develop an atmosphere that exemplifies the highest level of professional Integrity

7. Foster the development of the skills required for life-long learning, scholarly inquiry and

professional development

8. Promote an appreciation for social responsibility that is inherent to PA practice

9. Model and encourage the importance and the value of service to the profession and society

Degree Offered

 Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.P.A.S. , Master of Science (M.S.P.A.S.)