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Discover the benefits of earning your MSPAS from Sacred Heart University.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
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Why Earn Your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Sacred Heart?
Learn to provide compassionate, respectful, high-quality health care as a certified physician assistant. This full-time, 27-month program consists of a 12-month didactic phase followed by a 15-month clinical phase segmented into five-week rotations.
You’ll end the program with a combined 2,000 hours of experience in internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics and primary care/family medicine, as well as orthopedics, women’s health, emergency medicine, behavioral health and one additional elective area.
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In the MSPAS program, you will also:
- Learn from world-class physicians, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals in state-of-the-art medical skills labs and in a variety of clinical settings
- Benefit from a student-centered learning environment, in small in-person classes taught by experienced PA and interdisciplinary educators. We value in-person hands-on learning in our classrooms and skills labs and believe this is the best approach for PA education.
- Enjoy an integrated curriculum which in addition to organ systems-based medicine courses includes standalone courses in Primary Care, Professional Practice, and Population Health and Wellness that address aspects of health, wellness and safety
- Gain hands-on clinical experience starting your first year
- Focus on primary care and population health and wellness through a patient-centric approach
- Study in SHU’s patient assessment suites, with state-of-the-art technology and clinical simulators such as Harvey, a cardiopulmonary patient simulator that provides high-fidelity heart and lung sounds
- Self-assess and develop ways to improve your clinical acumen through clinical simulation and recordings of your practice scenario experiences
- Complete supervised clinical rotation experiences at various SHU affiliated sites
- Work collaboratively as a member of an interprofessional team
- Have the opportunity to join the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies club
- Become proficient in PA profession competencies as defined by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Be prepared to sit for the PA National Certification Exam (PANCE). When you pass the exam, you will be qualified to apply for state licensure in any state and work as a certified PA (PA-C) in collaboration with a licensed physician.
Student Spotlight
Sacred Heart University proudly recognizes our students for their academic and scholarly achievements.
Kanajzae M. Brown
Physician Assistant ‘25
Having grown up in a medically underserved Connecticut community, Kanajzae dreams of providing quality, holistic care for vulnerable populations. After earning her BS, she joined MedServe, working with economically disadvantaged individuals in North Carolina, and won a prestigious National Health Service Corps scholarship covering her entire tuition in SHU’s PA program. In exchange, she’ll spend two years working in an area experiencing a shortage of health professionals, an opportunity that aligns perfectly with her goal of expanding access to healthcare and integrating community resources for all.
Dual Degree Program
Dual degree students in the Bachelor’s-Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Dual Degree Program earn a BS and an MSPAS degree in 4+27 months. Students complete four years of undergraduate study to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Health Science, Exercise Science or Neuroscience while completing required Physician Assistant (PA) prerequisites. Upon completing the bachelor’s degree, students matriculate into the 27-month Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies graduate program.
The SHU PA program has a diverse set of faculty who will prepare you in mind and in principle to be the best PA you can be. Experiencing the daily grind of school and serving alongside classmates and professors allowed me to see and know the person behind the PowerPoint. It put so much power to their words because I knew that person speaking. I knew their heart and passions. It prepared me to learn, teach and evaluate patients to the best of my ability; to both know and serve them.
Program Accreditation Status
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Sacred Heart University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the Sacred Heart University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2031. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA Website.
Graduates equipped to make a difference in patients' lives.
As a PA, you will be able to:
- Take a medical history
- Conduct physical exams
- Diagnose and treat illnesses
- Order and interpret tests
- Develop treatment plans
- Counsel on preventive care
- Assist in surgery
- Write prescriptions
- Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes
With your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, you can work in a variety of specialties and settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Rural and urban community health centers
- Nursing homes
- Retail clinics
- Schools and university-based facilities
- Industrial settings
- Correctional institutions
- Military
- Federal government agencies
The job outlook for a physician assistant is bright, with faster-than-average growth predicted, and a median salary of $126,010.
I had the incredible opportunity to go to Dingle, Ireland, for my second rotation in primary care. It was an extremely valuable learning experience to study medicine in a different country, especially in a place as rural as Dingle. Certain medical tests and facilities were not as easily available. Physician assistant advocacy and education was an important part of my experience.
Physician Assistant Studies
Sacred Heart University’s physician assistant studies program hosted the annual White Coat Ceremony at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
Physician assistants students participate in PA student day for all PA students across Connecticut.
Sacred Heart University physician assistant studies students celebrated National Physician Assistant Day outside of the Today show with host Hoda Kotb.
Physician assistant students and faculty participating in a lab at the Tandet Center in Stamford, CT.
Physician assistant students and faculty viewing 3D anatomy through a simulation table at the Tandet Center in Stamford, CT.
Physician assistant students and faculty practicing on a test dummy at the Tandet Center in Stamford, CT.
A collage of different physician assistant students from Sacred Heart University.
The Sacred Heart University's Physician Assistants program hosted a PA student day for all PA students across Connecticut.
More Information
Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment
The Latest in Physician Assistant Studies
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Two Health Degree Programs Rate among the Best in U.S.
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Grad Students Completing Clinical Rotation in Ireland
Academics, Student Spotlight & OutcomesPublished:Two students gain hands-on experience with medical professionals -
SHU’s Physician Assistant Alumni Thrive in Profession
Academics, Alumni EngagementPublished:Physician assistants grateful for SHU education, dedicated to helping patients and peers
