Physician Assistant Program

2025 Application Information

The next Admissions cycle (Academic year 2025-26) opens Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is March 1, 2025.

Pathway 1 applicants apply directly to Thiel and must submit all application materials by this deadline.
Pathway 2 applicants apply via CASPA, and the application must be verified in CASPA by this deadline.

Accreditation Status

At its June 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Thiel College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Thiel College on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in June 2025.

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s). The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-thiel-college/.

About the Program

Mission Statement

The mission of the Thiel College Master of Science in Physician Assistant program is to graduate physician assistants who have the disciplinary knowledge and skills, clinical preparation and dispositions to provide excellent patient care and serve the needs of their community.

Philosophy

The philosophy of Thiel College’s Physician Assistant Program is to empower individuals to reach their full potential by creating a collaborative and inclusive learning environment that ensures educational excellence, emphasizes service to society, and promotes ethical leadership. The faculty and staff are passionate about helping our students succeed and create a supportive atmosphere to prepare students for careers and lives of meaning and purpose.

Program Details

Download the brochure today to explore Thiel's graduate program pathways!

Thiel's innovative program features two distinct paths to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.

Path 1: Highly motivated high school seniors can enroll in our accelerated five-year program. Students will earn a traditional four-year bachelor's degree and continue at Thiel for a fifth year to complete the master's degree program.

Path 2: Students who have already completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and wish to attain a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Thiel College should explore our 27-month post-baccalaureate program.

Educational Experience

Whether you choose Path 1 or Path 2, you will:

Work and study in state-of-the-art facilities, including the new Human Anatomy (cadaver) lab, to provide maximum experience and opportunities to learn
Be part of an interprofessional medical education that encourages an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare professionals
Receive academic knowledge and clinical skills that focus on evidence-based practice to enable you to adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment.
Study in a patient-centered environment that promotes critical thinking and medical problem-solving skills.
Develop the professional, moral, and ethical attitudes essential to your role as a physician assistant.

Diversity and Inclusion

Thiel College seeks to identify and eliminate barriers to an equitable and diverse environment. We strive to create a climate that promotes civility, respect, and sensitivity. Our goal is to foster awareness and understanding of different cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds, and to celebrate individual differences.

Curriculum

The program features two separate curriculums, the undergraduate portion of Path 1 and the graduate (accredited) program.

Goals

Thiel College PA Program Goals

PANCE Performance and Attrition Rates

Policies

The Thiel College PA program has specific program policies which apply to all students, principal and full-time faculty, and the program director regardless of location.

Professional Credentialing/Licensure

Thiel College is approved to offer programs that may lead to licensure/certification in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Thiel College cannot confirm that the PA program meets the requirements for licensure/certification in any other state or commonwealth. If you are enrolling in the PA education program and anticipate being certified/licensed in a state other than Pennsylvania, please check the specific requirements for licensure in your state. If you are considering working as a PA in another state that may require certification/licensure, you should first seek guidance on that state’s requirements. For more information, please consult the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) on the specific state information on their website.

Student Learning Outcomes

Download the Thiel College PA program's student learning outcomes (SLO) below:

PA Program Student Learning Outcomes