School
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Description
The Advanced Physician Assistant online degree program at the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences is a 40-credit hour distance education program for the licensed Physician Assistants.
Master of Science in Advanced Physician Assistant (APA) is one of the accredited online degree programs at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, designed for the licensed physician assistant (PA). The physician assistant degree program is consistently ranked as one of the best among all physician assitant schools in Arizona and the rest of the country. The program has been designed for the PA who wishes to enhance their clinical skills and academic status. The didactic portion of the program is 100 percent online. The only campus requirement is attendance at graduation once all coursework has been completed for the degree.
This physician assistant degree program offers four areas of concentration to select from:- family and emergency medicine,
- forensic medicine,
- sports medicine,
- and education and leadership.
The Family and Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Forensic Medicine concentrations require 400 hours of clinical residency in their respective field of medicine.
Graduates of this physican assistant online degree program will have demonstrated a competence in their respective specialty area along with a strong academic foundation that enhances their ability to practice in a varied clinical and administrative setting. For the P.A. without a bachelor's degree, a non-bachelor degree track is available (certain restrictions apply).
ATSU has a unique understanding of the complementary relationship between physicians and physician assistants, as our physician assistant program joins Missouri- and Arizona-based osteopathic medical schools also under the University umbrella. Our physician assistants are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Physician assistants are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Common services provided by physician assistants include taking medical histories and performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting lab tests, assisting in surgery, and counseling patients. Physician assistants are trained through an intense education program.
Accreditation
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
Delivery Format
Online
Educational Level
Master degrees
Requirements
The Advanced Physician Assistant program requires all applicants to meet the following criteria:
- Graduation from an accredited PA program
- Minimum overall GPA 2.50/4.0 scale and minimum PA program GPA 2.50/4.0 scale
- Current National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants certification (NCCPA)
- One year of clinical practice post graduation from PA program