Physician Assistant

Chair: Donna L. Yeisley, M.Ed., PA-C
Medical Director: Mitch Joseph, D.O.

The Physician Assistant is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. Physician assistants practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers. Physician assistants can obtain medical histories, conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, write prescriptions, perform medical procedures, counsel patients on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and make rounds in nursing homes and hospitals, among many other medical services.

Students are admitted into the MPAS major. Students who meet Department progression standards will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science during their fourth year. Those students who maintain academic and professionalism standards and successfully complete the clinical portion (fifth year) of the curriculum will be awarded the Master of Physician Assistant Science Degree (MPAS).

The curriculum for the Master of Physician Assistant Science is based on a liberal arts foundation with students completing core and prerequisite courses during the first three years. Prior to the beginning of the didactic year (fourth year), students are required to complete 100 hours of health care experience (volunteer or paid); 40 of the 100 hours must be spent directly shadowing a PA in clinical practice. Documentation of this experience must be provided to the Department. Students must also be able to pass criminal background checks and all health requirements, including drug screens. The accredited phase begins in the didactic year and combines required course work with clinical experience. The fifth year of the Program consists of supervised clinical practice in primary care and various medical specialties. Please see the Graduate Programs section of the Catalog for a complete description of the didactic and clinical years.

Progression within Master of Physician Assistant Science major

Progression and continuance in the Physician Assistant Program are based upon scholastic achievement, health maintenance and adherence to Saint Francis University and Departmental policies. The progression standards for the Master of Physician Assistant Science major can be obtained from the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences.

In addition to the academic progression standards, Physician Assistant majors must adhere to the Physician Assistant program policies as stated in the current Department Policy Manual and be able to meet the Department of Physician Assistant Science Student Technical Standards. Policy manuals and technical standards, which are located in the General Policy Manual, may be reviewed on the Department web site.

Please note that the Program reserves the right to change, modify or amend progression standards and Program policies prior to matriculation in the major as a freshman or didactic year student.

Due Process

Any student who wishes to appeal a dismissal may request in writing to the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences Chair to appear before the Physician Assistant Performance Review Committee. Appeals must be received in the Department office within five business days after the student receives notification from the Department regarding action as discussed above.

Master of Physician Assistant Science

Saint Francis University students who earned a B.S. in Health Science as physician assistant science majors should see the graduate section of the catalog for professional curriculum course descriptions. Students who matriculate as graduate students will need to complete all required PA 400 and PA 500 level courses.