Program Overview
Effective clinicians engage in active listening and empathy; they understand that patients are more than medical records, lab results, body systems and drug interactions. Become a healthcare professional who treats the whole patient — mind, body and spirit — through JWU’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree program.
You’ll learn to be a collaborative practitioner with the respect, empathy and trust inherent to humanistic healthcare. Our curriculum will prepare you to meet the complex needs of patients — and to develop the critical thinking skills to integrate seamlessly into a patient-centered medical team.
Hone your knowledge of clinical medicine, medical science and therapeutics through evidence-based practice at our award-winning, 18,000-square-foot Center for Physician Assistant Studies.
One of only a few facilities in the country entirely dedicated to the education of physician assistants, the center provides our students with 24-hour access to cadaver-based anatomy labs with e-study guides at each dissection station and a clinical skills practice center with simulated exam rooms equipped with the latest electronic medical record technology.
The first 12 months of the program are devoted to preclinical studies, and the remaining 12 months to clinical experiences in primary care and medical and surgical specialties. Enrollment is limited to 36 students each year and classes begin each June.
JWU's M.S. Physician Assistant Studies program was ranked among the top 30% of programs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, making it the highest-ranked PA program in Rhode Island.
Admissions is contingent upon you meeting the technical standards for this program. Learn more by visiting the Â鶹ÒùÔºCatalog’s technical standards. Individual states may require specific licensing or professional certification in addition to earning a degree in order to practice in the field. Learn more via the Catalog’s .