Physician Assistant Studies M.S.

Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/physician-assistant-masters/

Program Director: Dr. Todd Doran
Phone: 410-704-6183
Email: tdoran@towson.edu

At Towson University, we are preparing the next generation of physician assistants (PAs)—one of the nation's fastest-growing and most highly sought-after health professions. Through one of the country's longest-established master's programs, students gain the knowledge, clinical experience, and professional skills needed to deliver exceptional patient-centered care. 

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is offered through the Department of Physician Assistant Studies within the College of Health Professions.

The demand for highly qualified healthcare providers continues to grow as the nation's healthcare needs evolve. Physician assistants are highly skilled medical professionals who practice in collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to diagnose illness, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide comprehensive patient care across a wide range of clinical settings.

The PA profession consistently ranks among the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, with strong employment prospects and competitive salaries. As a result, admission to accredited PA programs and opportunities within the profession are highly competitive.

Towson University's Physician Assistant Studies program is proud to be the first PA program established in the State of Maryland and one of the oldest in the nation. As the profession has evolved, so has our program. Today, we are exclusively housed within the Towson University College of Health Professions, where we continue our tradition of academic excellence, clinical innovation, and commitment to preparing compassionate, practice-ready physician assistants who will serve the healthcare needs of diverse communities.

Professional Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Towson University Department of Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Towson University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be October 2033. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARCPA website.

Admission Requirements

Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website. All applicants will need to submit an application through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Prerequisites for Admission

Please visit the program's Admission Requirements & Deadlines website for specific deadlines and additional admission criteria.

  • A minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. 
  • An overall science GPA of 3.2 or higher. This GPA is cumulative and includes all undergraduate and graduate science courses completed at regionally accredited colleges or universities. It is calculated directly by CASPA.
  • A minimum of 500 patient contact hours completed in a health care setting. 
  • Completion of prerequisite courses and labs with a grade of “B” or better. These courses must have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university. Online courses and labs are acceptable provided they meet the above requirements. There are currently six prerequisite courses:
    • Anatomy (or Anatomy and Physiology I) with lab* (4)
    • Physiology (or Anatomy and Physiology II) with lab* (4)
    • Microbiology with lab* (4)
    • Biochemistry (3) Note: Organic Chemistry is not a substitute for Biochemistry
    • Medical terminology (minimum 2 units, 3 preferred)
    • College-level Statistics in any discipline (3)

*Note Lab Requirement 

  • The most competitive applicants will be invited by the program director for an interview. This interview is a compulsory part of the application process.

Degree Requirements

The master’s degree program in Physician Assistant Studies requires successful completion of a minimum of 98 units at Towson University. A GPA of 3.00 or better overall must be obtained in the graduate courses.

Required Courses

PAST 601RESEARCH METHODS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRACTICE3
PAST 603MEDICINE I2
PAST 604MEDICINE II6
PAST 605MEDICINE III2
PAST 606PEDIATRICS I2
PAST 607PEDIATRICS II2
PAST 608MEDICINE IV6
PAST 609PHARMACOLOGY I2
PAST 610PHARMACOLOGY II2
PAST 612PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE2
PAST 614PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE I2
PAST 616PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES IN MEDICINE II2
PAST 624GROSS ANATOMY2
PAST 625HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY2
PAST 626ETHICS, ISSUES AND TRENDS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PRACTICE3
PAST 630DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES I2
PAST 631DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES II2
PAST 632DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES III2
PAST 636BASIC PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS2
PAST 637ADVANCED PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS2
PAST 650INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE4
PAST 681FAMILY MEDICINE SCPE4
PAST 682INTERNAL MEDICINE SCPE4
PAST 683PEDIATRIC SCPE4
PAST 684WOMEN’S HEALTH SCPE4
PAST 685EMERGENCY MEDICINE SCPE4
PAST 686SURGERY SCPE4
PAST 687BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SCPE4
PAST 688ELECTIVE I SCPE4
PAST 689ELECTIVE II SCPE4
PAST 803TRANSITION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE2
PAST 804GRADUATE SUMMATIVE6
Total Units98

Program Competencies

Graduates of our program are ready to enter into clinical practice and are competent to perform the following:

Medical Knowledge (MK)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.01, B2.02, B2.03, B2.04
    • MK 1: Demonstrate knowledge of biomedical, clinical, epidemiologic, and social-behavioral sciences required for patient care across the lifespan.
    • MK 2: Apply knowledge of disease mechanisms, pathophysiology, and evidence-based clinical guidelines to patient evaluation and management.
    • MK 3: Integrate behavioral, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants of health into diagnostic and treatment decisions, with emphasis on rural and medically underserved communities.

Interpersonal Skills & Communication (IPS)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.05, B2.07, B2.09
    • IPS 1: Elicit an accurate, patient-centered medical history using culturally responsive and trauma-informed communication.
    • IPS 2: Perform and document a complete and focused physical examination that reflects the needs of the clinical encounter.
    • IPS 3: Communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and health professionals using verbal, nonverbal, written, and technology-based communication modalities.
    • IPS 4: Deliver patient education that is understandable, accessible, and tailored to patients' health literacy levels.
    • IPS 5: Present clinical encounters clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
    • IPS 6: Conduct safe and effective patient handovers using structured communication frameworks.

Clinical Problem Solving & Patient Care (CPS)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.05, B2.06, B2.08, B2.11
    • CPS 1: Formulate a prioritized differential diagnosis based on clinical findings.
    • CPS 2: Recommend and interpret diagnostic studies using evidence-based and cost-conscious principles.
    • CPS 3: Develop and implement patient-centered management plans, including pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and preventive strategies.
    • CPS 4: Recognize patients requiring urgent or emergent care and initiate appropriate stabilization and management.
    • CPS 5: Demonstrate clinical reasoning in uncertain, ambiguous, or evolving clinical situations.
    • CPS 6: Integrate shared decision-making, patient values, and current scientific evidence into clinical judgment.
    • CPS 7: Identify system failures, report concerns, and contribute to continuous quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Technical & Procedural Skills (TS)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.10, B2.11
    • TS 1: Obtain informed consent demonstrating respect for autonomy, legal principles, and patient understanding.
    • TS 2: Perform the following program-required procedures safely and effectively:
      • peripheral intravenous access
      • perform common therapeutic and diagnostic injections safely and effectively
      • simple laceration repair (including wound care and local anesthesia)
      • urinary catheterization
      • pelvic speculum examination with specimen collection
      • splinting
      • incision and drainage of superficial abscess
      • shave and punch biopsy
    • TS 3: Demonstrate sterile technique, infection control practices, and procedural safety.

Professionalism & Legal/ Ethical Practice (PROF)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.09, B2.11
    • PROF 1: Demonstrate honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, and accountability in all professional activities.
    • PROF 2: Show respect and responsiveness to diverse patient populations, colleagues, and health professionals.
    • PROF 3: Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and adhere to legal and regulatory requirements governing PA practice.
    • PROF 4: Engage in self-assessment, reflection, and lifelong learning to improve clinical performance and professional growth.
    • PROF 5: Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and responsibility in meeting academic, clinical, and professional obligations.

Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.07, B2.09
    • IPC 1: Work effectively within interprofessional teams to deliver safe, coordinated, and patient-centered care.
    • IPC 2: Use team-based communication strategies to foster mutual respect, shared problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

Society & Population Health (SPH)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.03, B2.04, B2.09
    • SPH 1: Assess social determinants of health and their influence on health outcomes.
    • SPH 2: Implement prevention and health promotion strategies for individuals and communities.
    • SPH 3: Demonstrate advocacy for rural and medically underserved populations.

Systems-Based Practice (SBP)

  • ARC-PA Alignment: B2.06, B2.08, B2.11
    • SBP 1: Navigate healthcare delivery systems to optimize patient care and resource utilization.
    • SBP 2: Apply principles of patient safety, risk reduction, and quality improvement.
    • SBP 3: Recognize and address barriers to care, including cost, access, health literacy, and system-level inequities.