Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)
The DeSales MSPAS is a state-of-the-art program with some of the most technologically advanced facilities in which to learn and train. Experience a relevant curriculum that centers on experiential learning and practical application, and also imbues a spirit of care and compassion for others.
24-Month Master’s Level Graduate Program
5-Year, Direct Entry BS-MSPAS Program
An In-Demand Career—Now and in the Future
Healthcare is the nation's leading job growth industry, and Physician Assistants are a major driver of this increase. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 37 percent job growth among PAs through 2026.
Physician Assistants are in demand as integral members of care teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers — they examine, diagnose, and treat patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
The DeSales MSPAS program is a two-year program of 99 credits: Year one focuses on didactic studies and year two centers on clinical rotations.
To be a graduate of DeSales' Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is to be dedicated to the total well-being of the patient and cognizant of the Christian humanistic traditions of DeSales University.
New Summer Research Fellowship Prepares Students for Medical School
Graziella Greco ’20 had just wrapped up her sophomore year at DeSales University when she was tapped to conduct research that could one day save countless lives.
The biology (pre-med) major was one of just six students to win a coveted spot in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) in the Natural Sciences, a new program that pays students to conduct research.
“To be able to be paid for doing something that will help me in the future and further my career is just such an amazing opportunity,” says Greco, who worked in Dr. Joshua Slee’s lab.
About 20 students applied to work with Slee, Dr. Joseph Leese, and Dr. Austen Barnett, all of whom volunteered to work over the summer. The six student fellows put in 40-hour workweeks for eight weeks and each received a $3,000 stipend.
Slee’s lab focused on cardiovascular disease—the number one cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
“It’s also the number one healthcare cost burden in the United States,” says Slee. “Despite the fact that it’s largely reversible through diet and exercise, we haven’t done anything to put a dent in the number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease.”
Greco spent the summer examining the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant that’s found in red wine and grapes. She’s continuing the research project for academic credit this year with plans to publish her findings in a peer reviewed scientific journal.
“I personally never thought we would get this far,” says Greco. “It doesn’t have an adverse effect on normal cell growth, which is wonderful, and the fact that it’s reducing inflammation so much in the cells is really promising.”
Greco plans to attend medical school after DeSales. That made the summer fellowship so invaluable, considering many med schools now require students to have research experience.
“I really believe that this experience is going to set me up for success,” she says. “Being able to have that first-hand experience, you’re doing the research, and you’re analyzing the results.”
The fellowship was possible thanks to funding from the University and Women for DeSales, a group of female philanthropists dedicated to making a significant, positive impact on campus.
“We went to Women for DeSales and asked for funding for one student and they turned around and gave us funding for three students,” says Slee. “So they really recognized the value in the program and really supported it.”
Health Humanities Scholars (HHS) Association
HHS is a student-led, faculty mentored program for students in our graduate healthcare curricula (PA, DPT, NP, DNP, Healthcare MBA, SLP). Students will facilitate humanities content and develop reflective practice through narrative medicine concepts in order to foster resiliency, empathy, and avoidance of burn-out.
PANCE Rates
The DeSales PA program excels at PANCE preparation, with a near-perfect first-time pass rate since the program began
PANCE is the only exam given to graduating physician assistants and it must be passed in order to be eligible for licensure in all 50 states.
The DeSales MSPAS program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Therefore, when you graduate you are eligible to sit for the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certification Examination).
ARC-PA Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the DeSales University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by DeSales 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 June 2027. 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 ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-desales-university/.