Northeast College Announces PA Studies Program to Meet Growing Healthcare Demand, Applications Open for 2026 Start

Northeast College of Health Sciences is expanding its academic offerings and is now taking applications for its Master of Science in physician assistant studies (M.S. in PA) program, designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals for a fast-growing and rewarding career.

Ranked the No. 3 best job in the U.S. for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, the Physician Assistant/Associate profession is experiencing significant demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 28% growth in PA jobs from 2023 to 2033—one of the fastest-growing fields nationwide.

Northeast’s six-trimester, 24-month hybrid M.S. in PA program will combine the flexibility of online coursework with hands-on, immersive training. During the first trimester, students will study on the College’s healthcare-focused 286-acre campus, gaining experience in:

• State-of-the-art anatomy labs, including the Computerized Anatomy Resource Lab (CARL) and Anatomage 3D visualization/dissection tables.
• A newly developed integrated learning space, featuring high-tech classrooms.
• Simulated practice rooms replicate real-world medical environments, allowing healthcare professionals to practice in a safe, controlled setting.

Students then transition to online coursework in trimesters two and three before embarking on a full year of supervised, in-person clinical experiences at healthcare sites across New York state and beyond.

The proposed M.S. in PA program is the newest planned addition to Northeast College’s growing portfolio of graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs focused on health sciences education. “In recent years, Northeast has expanded its educational offerings to establish a broader patient-centric foothold in clinical medicine. The College has created a strong foundation for the success of the PA program and other clinical health science offerings,” said Program Director Dr. Scott Richards. “Given the tremendous support at Northeast and the College's deep investment in the well-being and success of our students, I am excited to deliver this innovative PA program model.”

Northeast’s M.S. in PA program is currently undergoing the process for review and approval by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Applications are now open for the M.S. in PA program’s inaugural class, which will be seated January 2026.