Northeast College New PA Studies Master’s Program Receives Accreditation
Northeast College of Health Sciences is accepting its first Master of Science in physician assistant studies students to begin this September 2026, as the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted the new M.S. degree program accreditation.
The milestone marks a major expansion of Northeast’s growing healthcare education offerings and reinforces the College’s commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals through collaborative, patient-centered training.
Northeast’s six-trimester, 24-month hybrid M.S. in physician assistant (PA) studies program combines the flexibility of online coursework with immersive, hands-on healthcare education. Students begin the program on the College’s healthcare-focused Seneca Falls Campus, training alongside peers and faculty in advanced medical learning environments before progressing into online instruction and supervised clinical rotations in various medical specialties and healthcare settings
Applications for Northeast’s first ever PA students are now open through Aug. 1, 2026.
The physician assistant (PA) profession continues to see significant national demand. Ranked the No. 3 best job in the U.S. for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, the field is projected to grow 28% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics -- one of the fastest-growing careers in the country.
“In recent years, Northeast has expanded its educational offerings to establish a broader patient-centric foothold in clinical medicine,” said Dr. Scott Richards, director of Northeast’s PA program. “The College has created a strong foundation for the success of the PA program and other clinical health science offerings. Given the tremendous support at Northeast and the College’s deep investment in the well-being and success of our students, we’re excited to deliver this innovative PA program model.”
As part of the accreditation process for all newly established physician assistant programs, ARC-PA granted Accreditation-Provisional status to Northeast College of Health Sciences on May 22, 2026. Graduates of provisionally accredited programs are fully eligible to sit for national board certification examinations and pursue state licensure. Programs may then advance to continuing accreditation status following successful reviews.
For more information or to apply, visit www.northeastcollege.edu/programs/graduate/m-s-physician-assistant-studies.
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Northeast College of Health Sciences Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Northeast College of Health Sciences.
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 https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northeast-college/.
The M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program is currently pending approval of the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
PA Program Experience at a Glance
Tri 1 – Immersive, In-Person Foundations
Hands-on, on-campus training alongside peers and faculty in high-tech, healthcare-focused labs designed to build essential clinical foundations.
Tri 2 & 3 – Flexible, Live Online Learning
Students transition into live online coursework, allowing them to continue their academic progression from anywhere while remaining connected to faculty and classmates.
Tri 4, 5 & 6 – Clinical & Real-World Practice
On campus for advanced lab prep before a year of supervised clinical education that provides direct, hands-on patient care experience in real healthcare settings.
