< Explore Programs

Physician Assistant Master's Degree Completion Program (Online)

Please note this program is only for those who have completed their PA degree at an undergraduate level, for our non-completion program please click here.

In 2009, the respective boards of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Physician Assistant Educational Association (PAEA), the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) issued an official statement which endorsed the master’s degree as the entry-level and terminal degree of the profession and is registered by the New York State Education Department. 
 
The completion program allows currently certified PA graduates with a bachelor’s degree to return to school to complete a Master of Science degree (MSPA). The goal of the Master’s Physician Assistant Completion Program is to provide additional professional skills in order to prepare clinically practicing PAs for roles in academia, administration and research.
 
All courses are taught online, so the program allows you to build on your professional experience and achieve your terminal degree in a flexible way that suits your schedule. Course work in epidemiology, health promotion, evidence based medicine, research methods, and leadership will provide the student with new skills applicable to his or her career. Upon conclusion of the credit hours, the University will confer upon the participant the degree of a Master’s in Physician Assistant Completion Program. The program will take 12 months (4 semesters) to complete and is considered part-time study.
 
This is a highly competitive program and will look for students with prior clinical experience and appropriate undergraduate training. This program can only be offered to students who meet Pace University’s criteria.Master of Science in Physician Assistant Completion Program classes will begin every January. But it’s never too early to learn more about this program and its benefits by calling graduate admission at (914) 773-3649 or e-mail Justin McManus, Associate Director of Graduate Admissions - CHP at jmcmanus@pace.edu.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2019 Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Completion Program. Click here to find out more.

Recent Happenings:

Professor Denise Rizzolo, PhD, PA-C, is now PAEA's first-ever assessment specialist. In this role, Rizzolo will work to enhance PA educators’ knowledge of the functions and limitations of testing.

This new part-time position is part of a larger growth plan for the PAEA Assessment team. Our vision is to design a team that includes both PA educators and assessment experts who can help build our members’ assessment literacy by sharing research and insights on how assessments can accelerate student learning. Read the announcement here. 

Professor Denise Rizzolo, PhD, PA-C, was recently quoted in an article about "What's in an Online Physician Assistant Master's Program" by U.S. News & World Report.

Professor Denise Rizzolo, PhD, PA-C, presented with Kathy Clift, PA-C, ('14) Overcoming Vaccination Hesitancy at the annual American Academy of Physician Assistants conference. Read more.

 

Completion Program Student Publications

With faculty co-authorship (Denise Rizzolo PhD, PA-C), students have the opportunity to submit their literary works; many are published, and some have garnered prestigious national awards. See a list of recent completion program student articles.