About Physician Assistant Studies
About the Profession
Physician assistants (or PAs) are health care providers who are licensed to practice medicine while practicing under an agreement with a licensed supervising physician. Physician assistants perform physical examinations, order and perform laboratory tests, analyze medical data, develop care management plans, and prescribe medications. Additionally, PAs perform many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including casting, splinting, and minor surgery procedures such as suturing and biopsies.
PAs are allowed to practice in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Guam, and are employed in a broad range of medical facilities including, but not limited to:
- private physician’s offices
- hospitals
- nursing homes
- occupational health centers
- military and correctional institutions
Physician Assistant Practice
PA practice is characterized by clinical knowledge and skills in areas traditionally defined as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, behavioral and mental health care, women's health, emergency medicine, and surgery.
Physician assistants deliver health care services to diverse patient populations of all ages with a range of acute and chronic medical and surgical conditions. They need knowledge and skills which allow them to function effectively in a dynamic health care environment. Services performed by physician assistants include:
- evaluation — detailed and accurate patient history, physical examinations and development of management plans
- monitoring — implement and monitor patient management plans
- therapeutic — assist in medical and surgical procedures
- patient education — counsel patients on health care management, including compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens
- referral — referral of patients to other health care providers
Professional Technical Standards
Candidates admitted to the program must have the following:
- academic ability — well-developed study skills and a high level of motivation
- mental, emotional, physical ability — the physical stamina and emotional stability to approach highly stressful situations in a calm, safe, and rational manner
- communication skills — well-developed oral and written English language communication skills
- dependent practitioner — comfortable with the role of a dependent practitioner operating with a licensed supervising physician
- ethical integrity — strong ethical integrity consistent with working as a health care professional
- additional physical abilities — be able to competently perform the technical activities that are a critical part of the program curriculum and profession
About the Program
The physician assistant program prepares individuals with strong academic backgrounds and clinical experience for careers as physician assistants. Full-time continuous enrollment is required throughout the 98-credit 26-month program. The program is accredited by the .
Entry into the program requires admission to the Towson University Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program. Enrollees complete all courses (98 credits). Graduates will receive a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree.
Successful completion of the program requires strong science knowledge, clinical skill development, and medical experience preparation. Students also need to demonstrate a commitment to intensive study throughout the 26-month program. The first year of study is didactic in nature. Students will attend classes for 35 to 40 hours per week.
In the second year, students complete clinical rotations in behavioral and mental health care, community medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and women's health. Students also have the opportunity to have rotations in electives and a final preceptorship. Students return to campus between rotations for classes, advising, and grand rounds during their clinical year.