Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
	Towson University Proposal	(MS) Master of Science	Physician Assistant Studies	8/4/2022	Approved	8/19/2022
Physician Assistant Studies Program Description
Towson University has developed an MS in Physician Assistant Studies that has been approved institutionally and is in alignment with the standards of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). A 26-month, full-time graduate program will be offered to meet the educational and workforce needs for physician assistants. <br>Previously, TU’s College of Health Professions offered the MS in Physician Assistant Studies in collaboration with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) that incorporated the <br>Physician Assistant Professional Certificate from CCBC. However, as healthcare complexity has increased, evidence-based care progressed, and educational standards for entry into practice elevated, the TU-CCBC collaboration has evolved. In 2022, a memorandum of understanding migrated the TU-CCBC program to TU as a sole provider, thus further enhancing the program’s ability to demonstrate a fully graduate-level program as required by ARC-PA. The TU physician assistant (PA) curriculum integrates a large volume of technically detailed <br>information with graduate medical education. Successful completion of the program requires strong science, clinical skill development and medical experience preparation, as well as intense study and commitment throughout the 98-credit. Students who successfully complete the program earn a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies and are eligible for certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PA education programs are required to be accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).