Physician Assistant (B.S./M.S.)
What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine under physician supervision. Physician assistants evaluate patients, perform physical examinations, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgery and write prescriptions. As a graduate of Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Program, you’ll be prepared to serve as an effective team member in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
Why Choose Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program?
- Collectively, Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program faculty members have more than 120 years of clinical practice experience.
- Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Class of 2024 has a 100% Pass Rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
- 97% of Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program graduates who have taken the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in the past five years have passed it on their first attempt. PANCE Pass Rate Summary Report (PDF).
- 99% of Seton Hill Physician Assistant Graduates have passed the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE).
- Students entering the program as freshmen can earn their B.S. and their M.S. in only five years.
- Top-notch classroom, lab and clinical learning facilities and resources in the Boyle Health Sciences Center.
- Small classes allow students to work directly with faculty members in a supportive environment.
- Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Student Society provides both undergraduate and graduate students in the Physician Assistant Program with opportunities for community service and attendance at statewide conferences.
Seton Hill's Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Physician Assistant
As an incoming Seton Hill freshman, this combined program gives you the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in only five years. You would complete math, science and behavioral science course prerequisites, along with the core liberal arts degree requirements, in your first two and a half years of study. You would then enter the graduate phase of the program, consisting of 15 months of intensive coursework followed by 12 months of full-time supervised clinical experiences (rotations). The degree of Bachelor in Medical Studies will be conferred after completion of the Spring II semester of the graduate portion of the program. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant will be conferred after successful completion of the graduate portion of the program.
Your Career as a Physician Assistant
The job outlook for physician assistants is strong, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects it to grow much faster than the average. In 2023, physician assistants earned an average of $130,020 per year. The job growth outlook for the Physician Assistant profession is projected to be 28% higher than other careers for the period of 2023-2033.
Career Services for Life
Seton Hill’s award-winning Career and Professional Development Center will work with your faculty advisors to provide you with the career preparation skills and placement services you need. Should you ever need them after you graduate, the Center’s services will remain available to you as a Seton Hill alumni.
Accreditation Status of Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program
At its March 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Seton Hill University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2026.
Probation is a temporary status of accreditation conferred when a program does not meet the Standards and when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, programs that still fail to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.
The Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program is scheduled for a focused site visit in advance of the March 2025 commission meeting. This visit will evaluate the PA Program and institutional progress in addressing specific citations identified during the most recent commission review of the PA Program. Failure of the PA Program and institution to demonstrate significant progress in addressing these citations is likely to result in the withdrawal of accreditation. 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 here (PDF).
The School of Natural & Health Sciences and Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Program are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). In every academic program, all of us at Seton Hill are dedicated to making students fit for the world in which they'll live by preparing them with the highest quality education.
August 2024 Update: Seton Hill University’s Physician Assistant Program has been placed on probation by Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). As a stipulation of probation, we are unable to interview or accept applicants to our Physician Assistant B.S./M.S. program at this time. All applicants to the Physician Assistant B.S./M.S. program will be reviewed for admission to our Health Science program. Pending a favorable outcome of the ARC-PA review in March 2025, we will interview students for acceptance to the Physician Assistant B.S./M.S. program. All students that have been accepted to our Health Science program and meet the qualifications for admission to the 5-Year Physician Assistant B.S./M.S. program will be guaranteed an interview spot when interviews resume.
FAQs About Accreditation
If I’m a current student in the Seton Hill University PA Program (Class of 2024 or Class of 2025), will I graduate from an accredited program and be able to take the PANCE?
Yes. ARC-PA defines a student as graduating from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation.
If I joined the Seton Hill University PA program in January of 2024 (Class of 2026), will I graduate from an accredited program and be able to take the PANCE?
Yes. ARC-PA defines a student as graduating from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation.
What happens if in March 2026 Seton Hill University PA does not come off probation? Will I still graduate and be able to take the PANCE?
Yes. Seton Hill University PA has the full support of the University and School of Natural Health and Sciences and intends to remain accredited, without probation, in March 2026. In the event this is not the case, the program will continue to teach the current students through graduation and students will still be able to take the PANCE.
Why is Seton Hill University PA on probation?
The ARC-PA provides an overview to ensure students are best prepared for clinical practice. This temporary status allows us time to make program improvements, and to make sure that we are doing things in alignment with expectations of the ARC-PA. Specific to Seton Hill University, citations received largely concerned the structure of Learning outcomes and instructional objectives in measurable terms for each didactic and clinical course that would guide student acquisition of the required competencies.
Additionally, the accreditation commission requires a more robust assessment of student outcomes and the effectiveness of administrative processes. This effort is also already underway, as the program has begun working with an external consultant to improve its assessment processes and its evaluation of how students meet the learning outcomes of the program and thus become ready for clinical practice.
Will the accreditation action affect my ability to obtain employment?
Employers look for board-certified PAs and rely heavily on recommendations and references from the program’s faculty and preceptors. Seton Hill University PA maintains strong relationships with its clinical partners and preceptors who provide excellent training. Seton Hill University PA has maintained excellent job placement at 6 months of graduation based on the graduate survey data for over 10+ years. The program is committed to supporting its students by providing high-quality clinical rotations and facilitating job placement.
Will I be able to obtain a state license to practice?
Yes. PA licensure requirements vary by state requirements, but most states are congruent on graduating from an accredited program. For example, Pennsylvania licensure states one must “have graduated from an accredited program,” then pass the licensure exam, and be certified by NCCPA. The definition of “graduate from an accredited program” will apply to students who matriculate to the program when it is accredited.
Is Seton Hill University accredited overall?
Yes. Seton Hill University is accredited by the Middle States Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Faculty
James France
Associate Professor of Physician Assistant/Program Director of Physician Assistant Program
Richard Hutchinson
Associate Professor
Bobbie Leeper
Associate Professor of Biology & Physician Assistant Programs, Coordinator of Medical Studies
Nicole Ludwig
Physician Assistant Program Director and Assistant Professor
Samantha Miller
Assistant Professor / Director of Clinical Education
Jason Thomas
Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Program
Allison Turgeon
Associate Professor
Bethany Vargo
Director of Didactic Education and Associate Professor