Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

• Mission/Purpose Statement: The M.S. in PA Studies program is committed to academic excellence, best practices, and professionalism in the PA profession, promoting optimal student, clinician, and patient outcomes. The program advances the mission of Northeast College of Health Science through its preparation of students to become nationally boarded and state licensed PAs practicing holistic, person-centered, evidence-based medicine promoting optimal patient experiences and outcomes.

The mission components of academic excellence, best practices and professionalism involve rigorous instruction in (a) medical knowledge - program goals 1 & 4, (b) clinical reasoning and problem solving - program goals 2 & 8, (c) clinical & technical skills - program goals 3 & 7, (d) interpersonal skills and communication - program goal 5, and (e) professional behaviors - program goals 6 & 9.

• Program Goals
  • Program Goal 1 - Prepare graduates with a strong foundation in anatomy, biomedical sciences and pharmacology to diagnose, treat and prevent disease.
  • Program Goal 2 - Prepare graduates to provide holistic, evidence-based care using strong diagnostic reasoning, patient evaluation and management skills.
  • Program Goal 3 - Prepare graduates to safely and effectively perform core clinical and technical skills.
  • Program Goal 4 - Prepare graduates in pharmacotherapy to safely and effectively manage patients across age groups.
  • Program Goal 5 - Prepare graduates to interact and communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers and interprofessional healthcare teams. 
  • Program Goal 6 - Prepare graduates to prioritize professionalism, ethical decision-making, integrity and self-care strategies. 
  • Program Goal 7 - Prepare graduates to integrate equitable, culturally responsive care to effectively manage patients with clinical and behavioral health conditions. 
  • Program Goal 8 - Prepare graduates to integrate evidence and data to improve patient outcomes. 
  • Program Goal 9 - Prepare graduates to function effectively in healthcare systems and understand the PA role, policy and healthcare delivery. 
• Values Statements
  • General: In the PA program, we hold that all beings are entitled to the highest standard of appropriate, evidence-based, holistic, person-centered medical care without regard to socioeconomic status, age, race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender identification, sexual orientation, or other potentially discriminating characteristics. In alignment with this, we hold that all students are entitled to the highest quality instruction to best enable the provision of holistic, person-centered medical care to their future patients.
  • Belonging, Inclusion, & Respect: We strive to develop, deliver, and maintain a learning environment within which students are welcomed, included, respected, and valued, acknowledging each individual’s unique culture and abilities to enhance and contribute to a learning environment promoting optimal personal, professional, and clinical outcomes.
  • Collaboration: To promote ideal educational experiences and holistic, person-centered clinical care, we actively incorporate interprofessional education and interdisciplinary partnerships with other medical and allied-health professions and professionals focused on optimal outcomes for faculty, students, graduates, and the communities and individuals they serve.
  • Learning: We strive to encourage and support life-long learning focused on personal and professional growth and success including, but not limited to, continuing medical education to ensure faculty, students, and graduates practice at the highest caliber in their profession.

To assess program effectiveness on meeting the above mission/purpose, values, and goals, students will complete an annual evaluation of the program and college. Upon graduation of the first and all subsequent cohorts, outcomes will be reported for each of the mission/purpose, values, and goals on this page. The program considers an average cohort score of 80% on annual evaluation items mapped to each of the above items as a benchmark of program effectiveness. Additionally, the program considers an average cohort score of 90% on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) as another measure of program effectiveness. Upon graduation of the first and all subsequent cohorts, the program outcomes will be detailed above.

For more on the institution's mission, values, and objectives, visit our Mission & Values page.

Northeast College of Health Sciences has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Northeast College of Health Sciences anticipates matriculating its first class in September 2026, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the April 2026 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.

Students cannot be matriculated or enrolled without this accreditation. Should the program not receive ARC-PA provisional accreditation, the anticipated program start will be delayed until accreditation is received.

The M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program is currently pending approval of the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

For more on institutional accreditation, please see our Consumer Information page.

Take the next step in your healthcare career. Learn more about the admission criteria and steps to apply for the Master if Science in physician assistant studies program at Northeast College of Health Sciences.

Admission Requirements + How to Apply

Graduation Rate Template for the M.S. in PA Studies Program

Comments: Upon matriculation of the first cohort and updated on at least an annual basis, the program will publish student attrition data in the above table.

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the entering classes size.

**Graduation rate calculation: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).

Graduate Performance on the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE)

Upon successful completion of the PA program, graduates are eligible to sit for their national board examination in pursuit of national certification and subsequent state licensure. On this page, when available, the program will publish the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA) 5-year PANCE exam performance summary report, updating this for each cohort. For more information on the PANCE, please visit the NCCPA website.

* Supervised clinical practice experiences include seven core rotations and two selective specialty rotations. Core rotations include Behavioral Medicine/Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Surgical Medicine, and Women's Health Care. Selective rotations can occur in any assigned medical specialty area.

• Program Director: Scott Richards, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA
• Medical Director: Steven Morgan, MD
• Principal Faculty & Director of Didactic Education: Erin O’Donoghue, D.M.S., M.S., PA-C, ATC (ret)
• Principal Faculty & Director of Clinical Education: Gina LaMandre, M.S., MSPAS, PA-C
• Principal Faculty & Admissions Coordinator: Kimberly Wieringa, D.M.Sc., MPAS, MSH, PA-C, CAQ-HM
• Principal Faculty: Robyn Wakefield-Murphy, Ph.D.
• Principal Faculty: Dawniel Carlock Stewart, PA
• Administrative Assistant: Ciara Campbell

Access The PA Program Handbook for a complete guide to academic and program requirements.

Program Handbook (PDF)

At the completion of the program, students should be able meet the following learning outcomes as they pertain to patients across the life span and age groups, in preventive, acute, and chronic patient encounters, in the emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, and operating room settings, in the medical specialties of family medicine, emergency medicine (including emergent care), internal medicine (including elderly patients), surgery (including pre-operative, intraoperative, post operative), pediatrics (including care for infants, children and adolescents), women’s health (including prenatal and gynecological care), and behavioral and mental health care.

1. Medical Knowledge: Graduates will be able to:
   1. Apply basic sciences in making diagnoses and understanding treatment procedures.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students 
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Written Examination
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      4. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   2. Demonstrate the appropriate medical knowledge to effectively care for patients.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Written Examination
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      4. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   3. Demonstrate a knowledge of disease etiology, patient demographic and/or presentation of common medical conditions.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Written Examination
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      4. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
2. Interpersonal Skills and Communication: Graduates will be able to:
   1. Communicate in a patient-centered manner to accurately and effectively apply subjective information and construct a management plan reflecting shared decision making.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students 
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   2. Accurately and concisely communicate the findings of a given patient encounter in written and/or oral forms to members of the health care team.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   3. Collaborate effectively with members of the interprofessional healthcare team to provide safe, patient-centered care.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   4. Effectively present clinical information clearly and accurately to patients, caregivers, family members, and/or members of the healthcare team.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   5. Incorporate other healthcare professionals in patient care, working within team-based practice environments and/or referring to other healthcare providers to promote optimal patient outcomes.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
3. Clinical & Technical Skills: Graduates will be able to:
   1. Elicit and document a comprehensive and focused patient history across the lifespan and age groups that includes chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical and surgical history, medications, allergies, family and social history, and full or pertinent review of systems, integrating information relevant to acute, chronic, preventive, prenatal/gynecological, operative and behavioral/mental health conditions.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students 
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   2. Perform focused and comprehensive physical examinations using appropriate instruments and techniques, accurately distinguishing normal and abnormal findings for patients of all ages, and correlate these findings with the patient’s history to guide diagnosis and management.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   3. Provide patient-centered counseling and education that demonstrates empathy, cultural sensitivity, and/or clear communication, engaging patients and/or families in shared medical decision-making to explain diagnoses, treatment options specific acute, chronic, preventive, prenatal/gynecological, operative and behavioral/mental health conditions appropriate to their level of understanding.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   4. Based on the history and physical examination findings, identify and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Written Examination
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      4. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   5. Demonstrate competence in performing routine diagnostic, therapeutic, and technical procedures commonly encountered in clinical practice, adhering to principles of patient safety, infection control, and professional standards of care.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
4. Professional Behaviors: Graduates will be able to:
   1. Demonstrate professional behavior by recognizing professional limitations and then consulting with other health care providers as needed.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students 
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   2. Maintain patient and patient information confidentiality and privacy laws and practices, including but not limited to HIPAA, and apply patient confidentiality and privacy guidelines to all patient encounters and clinical site.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
   3. Interact professionally in all forms of verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., live interactions, postings, email, body language) with patients, patient family, medical staff, and/or health care providers.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      3. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
   4. Demonstrate professional behavior by arriving punctually, being appropriately dressed, and consistently exhibiting integrity, accountability, respect, and accepting feedback.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students
      2. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
5. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities: Graduates will be able to:
   1. Apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to synthesize patient histories, physical findings, and diagnostic data in order to formulate differential diagnoses, develop evidence-based assessment and management plans, and adjust care decisions based on patient response and evolving clinical information.
      1. Preceptor Evaluations of SCPE students 
      2. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Written Examination
      3. End-of-program Summative Evaluation: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
      4. Annual Student Evaluation of Program and College

Additional Functions and Tasks Graduates Should Be Able to Perform

In addition to the above, the program’s graduate competencies include the following functions and tasks graduates should be able to perform as they pertain to patients across the life span and age groups, in preventive, acute, and chronic patient encounters, in the emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, and operating room settings, in the medical specialties of family medicine, emergency medicine (including emergent care), internal medicine (including elderly patients), surgery (including pre-operative, intraoperative, post operative), pediatrics (including care for infants, children and adolescents), women’s health (including prenatal and gynecological care), and behavioral and mental health care.  These program outcomes/competencies will be followed by the way in which they will be assessed by the program.

1. Identify and describe the components, scoring methods, and administration techniques of the Mental Status Examination (MSE) and cognitive assessment tools (MoCA, MMSE), and explain how specific findings from each assessment contribute to forming an accurate psychiatric differential diagnosis.
2. Perform wound closure techniques (including sutures, staples, and skin adhesive), conduct incision and drainage of abscesses, apply appropriate splinting methods, and administer local anesthesia safely and effectively under appropriate supervision.
3. Demonstrate the proper performance of ear irrigation, obtaining an EKG, administering vaccinations, and completing point-of-care testing such as rapid strep, flu, and COVID assays.
4. Demonstrate competence in performing routine diagnostic, therapeutic, and technical procedures commonly encountered in internal medicine, adhering to principles of patient safety, infection control, and professional standards of care.
5. Demonstrate appropriate scrubbing, gowning and gloving, sterile technique in the surgical setting.
6. Perform surgical technical skills—including skin closure techniques, wound care, and Foley catheter placement.
7. Perform Pap smear collection and obtain appropriate vaginal/cervical cultures.

Review essential program policies to guide your success in the Physician Assistant Studies program.

Program Policies
 

The program’s technical standards for both initial enrollment and for in-program progression once matriculated are noted below. The technical standards have been developed in consideration of the demands of PA program didactic and clinical training requirements and entry level practice. Along with other program prerequisites and requirements, all candidates and students must be able to independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, meet the Program specific technical standards. Once matriculated, all students must continue to meet these standards throughout the entirety of their program. Failure to meet all technical standards at any time in the program may preclude participation in the program and program activities, resulting in dismissal, deceleration/delay of graduation from the program.

The program’s minimum technical standards required of all students include:

• Critical Thinking Ability & Skills: Students must possess the intellectual capabilities required to complete both the didactic and clinical curriculum and achieve competency. Critical thinking requires the intellectual ability to measure, calculate, synthesize, and analyze a large and complex volume of medical and surgical information. Students in the program must also be able to perform applicable demonstrations and experiments in the medical sciences.
• Computer Technology Skills: Students must be able to utilize computerized information technology to access and manage on-line medical information, participate in computerized testing as required by the curriculum, conduct research, prepare multimedia presentations, and participate in the management of computerized patient records and assessments.
• Communication Skills: Students must be able to speak clearly and effectively in order to elicit and relay medical information. They must also be able to communicate effectively and legibly in writing.
• Visual Ability: Students must have the visual acuity needed to evaluate a patient during a physical exam and perform a wide range of technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery.
• Hearing and Tactile Ability: Students must have the motor and sensory functions needed to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation and percussion, as well as perform a wide range of technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery.
• Motor and Fine Skills: Students must be able to execute the physical movements required to maneuver in small places, calibrate and use equipment, position and move patients, and perform the technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery.
• Interpersonal Ability: Students must possess a wide range of interpersonal skills, including but not limited to the emotional health required for management of high stress situations while maintaining their full intellectual abilities; the ability to exercise good judgment; the ability to complete all assigned patient care responsibilities; the ability to manage time (show up on time, begin and complete tasks on time); the ability to develop a mature, sensitive and effective relationship with medical colleagues, clinical and administrative staff, patients and families; the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and diffuse conflict; and the ability to recognize your own emotional state and the emotional states of others, and engage with people in a way that draws them to you.

Find more information on tuition + aid at Northeast College of Health Sciences. 

 M.S. in pa tuition + fees

Our M.S. in PA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section offers clear and helpful answers to the most common questions prospective students have about admissions, academics, clinical experiences, housing, and more.

PA frequently Asked Questions