Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Program Director: Dr. Todd Doran

Health Professions Building, Suite 4100 B
Phone: 410-704-3339
Fax: 410-704-2733
Email: PAProgram@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 health care providers continues to grow as the nation's health care needs evolve. Physician assistants are highly skilled medical professionals who practice in collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care 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 health care 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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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.

Faculty

Clinical Professor: Daniel O'Donoghue (Chairperson / Graduate Program Director)

Clinical Associate Professor: James McGinnis (Associate Program Director)

Clinical Assistant Professors: Alyssa Barbush (Director of Didactic Education), Brittany Berna (Director of Clinical Education), Timothy Capstack (Medical Director), Suzanne Castner, Suzanne Castner, Heather Cyge, Jodi Dinkin, Laurarose Dunn-O’Farrell, Lucy Fromtling (Clinical Coordinator), Melecia Helwig-Henson, Cheryl Kinnard, Mark Lashley, Taylor Shoffner