Facilities
Modern Fully-Equipped Lab
Gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs, including the on-site cadaver lab with a 5:1 student to cadaver ratio.
Physician Assistant Studies
Combined Bachelor/Master of Science Degree (B.S./M.S.)
About this program
Highly selective and rigorous, the Physician Assistant Studies program at Penn College is home to an elite group of individuals. Determined and dedicated to make a difference in the lives of others, our PA students are among the best and brightest. This five-year combined bachelor/master of science degree program begins with three years of pre-professional education and is followed by a year of intensive lab-based study and a year of clinical experience in a variety of medical settings. This intensive progression prepares graduates with the knowledge and confidence to evaluate, diagnose, and treat medical conditions.
Acceptance in this major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission.
Cohort size may vary based on clinical site availability and alignment with accreditation requirements. Students who are not selected into their desired program may be eligible for selection into another NHS program depending on seat availability. For additional information, please contact the appropriate program director.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
On November 4, 2021, an emergency regulation was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requiring the COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers. Individuals considering applying to this program should be aware that the COVID-19 vaccination will be required to participate in clinical experiences for Spring 2022 and beyond. For the most up-to-date information about our clinical partners’ vaccination requirements, please contact the program office.
Careers
- Primary care medicine
- Emergency medicine
- Family practice
- Orthopedics
- Cardiovascular surgery
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Basics of Medical Terminology (MTR104)
- Pathophysiology I (PHA425)
- Pharmacology I (PHA430)
- Human Cadaver Anatomy (PHA475)
- Clinical Medicine I (PHA450)
- Diagnostic & Procedural Practices I (PHA465)
- Patient History & Physical Assessment I (PHA442)
- Diagnostic & Procedural Practices II (PHA466)
- Pathophysiology II (PHA426)
- Pharmacology II (PHA431)
- Patient History & Physical Assessment II (PHA443)
- Clinical Medicine II (PHA451)
- Professionalism & Ethics in Physician Assistant Practice (PHA460)
- Laboratory Medicine (PHA428)
- Cardiology (PHA429)
- Diagnostic & Procedural Practices III (PHA467)
- Pharmacology III (PHA432)
- Patient History & Physical Assessment III (PHA444)
- Clinical Medicine III (PHA452)
- Medical Decision Making (PHA471)
- Women & Children's Health (PHA473)
- Principles of Emergency Medicine & General Surgery (PHA474)
- Physician Assistant Internship Seminar I (PHA609)
- Internal Medicine Internship (PHA631)
- Elective Internship (PHA635)
- Pediatrics Internship (PHA637)
- Emergency Medicine Internship (PHA632)
- Behavioral and Mental Health Care Internship (PHA633)
- Women's Health Internship (PHA636)
- Physician Assistant Internship Seminar II (PHA622)
- Family Medicine Internship (PHA630)
- Surgery Internship (PHA634)
- Concepts in Physician Assistant Practice (PHA672)
- Senior Capstone (PHA696)
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
- Principles of Biology I (BIO108)
- General Chemistry I (CHM111)
- General Psychology (PSY111)
- Principles of Biology II (BIO109)
- General Chemistry II (CHM121)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO115)
- Organic Chemistry I (CHM210)
- Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (CHM211)
- Introduction to Sociology (SOC111)
- College Physics I (PHS115)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO125)
- Core Arts Perspective (ARP)
- Microbiology (BIO201)
- Biochemistry (CHM370)
- Genetics (BIO310)
- Core Historical Perspective (HIP)
Student Experience
“My current experience, is in part, a credit and tribute to the foundation I received as a student of the Physician Assistant Program at Penn College. This credit includes the program director and faculty, along with my classmates, who were gracious and understanding in relation to my experience as an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, and my continued service in the Army National Guard. I have built a career I will forever cherish.”
Terry Cropf
Chief Advanced Practitioner, Neuroscience Institute, Geisinger Health System
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about. Academic Tours allow you to explore labs and get to the core of your future program. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into your academic area of interest, opt for a Self-Scheduled Personal Tour. Comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.
May 25
Open House
Wednesday, May 258:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Jun 26
Open House
Sunday, June 268:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Jul 23
Open House
Saturday, July 238:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Jul 29
Open House
Friday, July 298:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
More tour dates are on the way.
But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.
Need a different date?
Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.
If you can't attend any of these dates Contact Admissions at 570.320.2400
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
Physician Assistant Club (PA Club)
Pre-PA students are encouraged to join the PA Club. All PA major students are expected to participate in PA Club activities and strongly encouraged to join the state and national PA societies – PSPA and SAAAPA.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
News
05.04.2022
PA student joins national diversity and inclusion group’s board
Bryan Marcel Bilbao, a graduate student in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s physician assistant studies major, was recently ...
04.14.2022
Scurrying scavengers happily greet Wildcat Egg Hunt’s return
Penn College’s sixth Wildcat Egg Hunt – bigger than ever, after a two-year pause necessitated by COVID-19 – saw about 120 ...
10.29.2021
Group’s scholarship award renewed for Penn College student
A physician assistant student at Pennsylvania College of Technology has received another $1,000 installment of her annually ...
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
Physician Assistant students recently completed clinical rotations in Peru.
Clinical Experience
Your knowledge in practice
Students will spend their last year of study on clinical rotation, completing seven core rotations (family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, behavioral and mental health care, surgery, women's health, and pediatrics) as well as an elective rotation, allowing students to explore a sub-specialty that aligns with their interests. Clinical rotations are coordinated by the PA program, and students are never required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Students take action with mock crisis drill
Students from Penn College’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences and School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications joined area law enforcement, emergency management and health care professionals in a recent simulation at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center and a variety of other locations.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Pennsylvania College of Technology Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Pennsylvania College of Technology. 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 September 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-penn-college-of-tech/.
More Information
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Pennsylvania College of Technology Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Pennsylvania College of Technology. 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 September 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-penn-college-of-tech/.
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Pass Rates
The "NCCPA Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) Exam Performance Summary Report Last 5 Years" compares the PANCE pass rates for the five most recent cohorts of Penn College PA Program graduates to the respective national average. See results.
Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.
The grading scale in this program for all PHA courses will be as follows:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89.99
C = 75-79.99
F = 74.99 and below – student has not met minimal requirements to pass.
Grades are not rounded. Students must maintain a minimum graduation GPA of 2.0.
Please refer to the Physician Assistant Studies program manual for additional in-program academic progression requirements.
Child-abuse clearance, criminal background checks, and drug screens are required. Students desiring entrance into the Physician Assistant major should be aware that clinical institutions could bar them from their sites if a criminal record exists or if a positive drug test is noted. (By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for drug testing and background checks.)
Inability to gain clinical education experience results in inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. The presence of a criminal record can result in agencies refusing to issue credentials necessary for employment.
Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription or which may impair a student’s ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College. Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
International health credentials/licensure, sciences courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy requirements of this major. Please see additional information for international students applying to the School of Nursing & Health Sciences majors.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
The Penn College PA Program does not award advanced standing for any physician assistant professional phase coursework completed at another PA program.
Students enrolled in the Pre-PA Program or the PA Program cannot apply for work study jobs in the program.
- Program Review Executive Summary
- Students must meet Technical Standards for the Physician Assistant established by the Physician Assistant Program, as well as health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, annual influenza vaccination, PPD), medical examination, 10 panel drug screen, CPR certification, and background clearances as established by clinical affiliation agreements.
- Physician Assistant program goals
- ARC-PA Student Attrition Table
The physician assistant program at Pennsylvania College of Technology has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states secondary to its accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). This determination is based on the following statement from the Physician Assistant Education Association (https://paeaonline.org/alerts/department-of-education-professional-licensure-disclosure-regulation/): "As of July 2020, all 50 states require graduation from an ARC-PA accredited program and certification following successful completion of the PANCE as conditions for initial PA licensure. By virtue of ARC accreditation, PA programs offer a curriculum necessary for licensure in all 50 states....For a complete summary of initial licensure requirements in all 50 states, please click here https://www.aapa.org/download/19739/."