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Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Program: Physician Assistant (M.S.)
Degree awarded: Master of Science
Total credit hours: 108
Clinical Opportunities/Externship Placements: Students complete 1,600 supervised clinical practice hours over the course of three semesters. 

About the Physician Assistant Program

Thiel College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to provide a wide range of clients and support their communities.

At Thiel College, the master’s degree courses in physician assistant studies prepare students to:

• Identify causes, symptoms, differential diagnoses, diagnostic studies, and treatment plans for various conditions. Describe disease prevention and health promotion interventions.
• Exhibit effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Ensure accurate documentation and coordinate care through communication.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to provide culturally competent, age-appropriate care.
• Commit to ongoing professional development and uphold ethical principles in medicine.
• Use evidence-based medicine and standard-of-care practices in patient management.
• Understand funding sources that support quality care and demonstrate accountability regarding professional strengths and limitations.
• Integrate social determinants of health into person-centered care with cultural humility.
• Recognize public health referrals to advocate for patients and uphold population health.

Physician Assistant Curriculum

The curriculum is centered on preparing students for the patient needs of tomorrow. Thiel’s program is focused on small group interaction with instructors and hands-on patient care, our transformational education engages students through active learning.

Students will start the program with a strong focus on foundational medical science, disease pathophysiology, and therapeutics, exploring various medical disciplines and principles of physical diagnosis, preparing for subsequent clinical rotations through skill workshops.

Clinical rotations bridge classroom learning and real-world practice, enabling students to apply medical knowledge and develop essential clinical skills. This phase is vital for students to gain hands-on experience in various medical specialties under the supervision of experienced clinicians, including family medicine, women’s health, internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and behavioral health.

By the end of the program, students will be ready to start their careers as a physician assistant and make a meaningful impact right after graduation.

Review the Academic Catalog (2025-2026) for detailed course listings.

Clubs & Organizations

It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. A student in the physician assistant program might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

• Physician Assistant Club
• Students Without Boarders
• Physician Assistant Student Society

Visit our Campus Life page to see a full list of student clubs and organizations.

Alumni & Careers

Thiel College graduates in demand! Graduates will be able to work in different fields such as:

• Hospitals
• Physician Offices
• Outpatient Clinics
• Nursing Homes
• Hospital Administration
• Clinical Research

Thiel graduates have gone on to pursue rewarding careers as a physician assistant. Recent grads are practicing at Saint Vincent Medical Group of Corry Rural Health Clinic (Corry, Pa.), Bayfront Digestive Disease (Erie, Pa.), Burkhart Pediatric & Adolescent Dermatology (Cary, NC), Kidney Group (Hermitage, Pa), Physician Assistant at Texas Sinus and Snoring (Spring, TX).

Learn More About Thiel’s Physician Assistant Program

Becoming a physician assistant requires a combination of education and practical experience because the field demands the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world situations by assessing clients, developing treatment plans, and delivering interventions effectively, which can only be fully developed through supervised clinical practice. Upon graduating, Physician Assistants can work in a wide variety of healthcare settings and specialties, including primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, and more, performing duties such as diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, and prescribing medications.