Pioneers lead the way in healthcare
You see the healthcare need in every community, and with the right education, you know you can make a difference in people’s lives. Marietta College’s graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies transforms talented students into skilled and highly sought-after healthcare professionals.
Marietta College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is competitive and selects only the top 40 applicants for the 26-month graduate curriculum. The graduate program pairs this select group of Pioneers with skilled faculty to develop the knowledge and the ability to succeed in the healthcare industry.
- Physician Assistant (PA) Facts According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
“PAs (physician associates/physician assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.”
- Program History
In January 2001, Marietta College received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to help launch the master's program. The “Pioneer” cohort began the 12-month didactic (classroom) and 14-month clinical phase (family, internal and emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, prenatal care/gynecology, psychiatry/behavioral health, and pediatrics rotations) program in 2002, graduating in 2004 with a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
While the Pioneer class of 15 students has grown over the years to our current class size of 36, ,with an increase to 40 effective June 2024 starting with the 2026 cohort. The program has strived to maintain the intimate feel a small cohort provides. This is especially evident in our PASP 502 Physical Exam I and PASP 504 Physical Exam II courses, where the class is divided into two labs (20 students each), allowing for optimal faculty-to-student ratios and opportunities for individualized attention.
- Accreditation Status
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Marietta College. 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 March 2028. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
To view the program's accreditation history, visit http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-marietta-college/ and click on the embedded accreditation document.
- Student Success
The Marietta College PA program has an overall 99.1% graduation rate.
The Marietta College PA program has an overall 99.8% Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) pass rate.
Graduates in the 2023 cohort demonstrated two-thirds had accepted a PA position prior to graduation with 76% of respondents working in an underserved area and 84% in the Ohio/Appalachian region. Approximately a third of students secure positions with physicians or hospitals where they completed clinical rotations.
Marietta College PA graduates work in numerous fields of medicine, including primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, emergency medicine, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, hospital medicine, hematology/oncology, urology, cardiology, rheumatology, OB/GYN, interventional radiology and many more. Other graduates go on to successfully obtain positions in post-graduate residency programs across the US. The profession and career opportunities are only limited by one's imagination.
What You'll Learn While Earning a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Degree
Our students are prepared to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) as soon as they graduate from the program. Our students have an overall graduation rate of 99.1% and an overall PANCE pass rate of 99.8%.
- Admission Prerequisites
Pre-requisite Classes:
- Upper-Level Human or Mammalian Biology*
- General Chemistry I with Lab*
- General Chemistry II with Lab*
- Organic Chemistry with Lab*
- Microbiology with Lab*
- Human Anatomy with Lab*
- Human Physiology*
- General Psychology*
- Upper-Level Psychology with emphasis on abnormal and/or developmental psychology*
- Statistics*
*Or comparable course as determined by the Admissions Committee.
The following courses are not required pre-requisites but are excellent additional classes to strengthen an application:
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
- Histology
- Pathophysiology
- Toxicology
- Admission Considerations
Prospective students must apply to the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) at www.caspaonline.org by Nov. 1 to be considered for admission to the following summer class. When applying, official test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (verbal and quantitative) should be submitted using Marietta’s School Code 0937. The MCAT may be substituted for the GRE. An Admission Committee will weigh each candidate based on academic preparation, potential for primary care practice, motivation, maturity, prior health care experience, work ethic, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, knowledge of the physician assistant profession, and letters of recommendation. Successful candidates will be chosen to interview on campus before the committee.
FAQs
- Is the PA Program accredited?
The ARC-PA has granted Continued Accreditation to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Marietta College. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Continued 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 comprehensive review of the Program by the ARC-PA will be March 2028.
- What is the length of the program?
26 months. Classes being in June and graduation is in July of the second year.
- How many credit hours is the program?
102 credit hours; 44 credits during the Didactic phase and 58 credits during
the Clinical phase.- Is there a supplemental application?
No, applicants should complete all requirements through CASPA
- Does the tuition differ for in and out-of-state residents?
Tuition is the same for in state as well as out-of-state residents.
- Do you offer any scholarships?
Yes, two students per class receive a scholarship paying for half of their tuition. Click here for more information.
- Is financial aid available?
Information on financial aid can be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid at 1-800-331-2709.
- What does your "average" accepted student look like?
Age 23 Cumulative GPA 3.70 Pre-requisite GPA 3.70 Health care experience (total hours) 2,615 Prior health care experiences include, but are not limited to the following areas: nurse, nursing assistant, phlebotomist, paramedic, medical assistant, athletic trainer, cardiac patient technician, triage assistant, and surgical specialist. - What is the minimum prerequisite GPA required for admission?
3.0
- What type of setting is best to obtain patient contact hours?
Health care hours are not required, though they are strongly recommended. Examples of experiences include: shadowing PAs or physicians, nursing assistant/STNA, EMT, medical assistant, phlebotomist, ER tech, respiratory therapist, etc.
- Is there a separate form required for logging health care hours?
No, applicants should complete all requirements through CASPA
- Will I be able to work while in school?
It is recommended that you do not work during your didactic year, and you are NOT permitted to work during your clinical year.
- How many applicants were there this year?
A total of 778, with 323 verified applications, were received in the 2022 - 2023 cycle.
- How many students are accepted each year?
40
- What is the waitlist?
After the class is selected, applicants are placed on the waitlist. Applicants on this list may be contacted anytime until classes begin in June and offered admission if another applicant declines their seat.
- Am I required to take my prerequisite courses at Marietta College?
No. You can take the prerequisite courses at any accredited college or university.
- What is the employment trend for PAs?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, physician assistant growth is estimated to increase 28% through 2031. The bureau estimates that nearly 38,400 jobs will be added in that time frame.
- What is the difference between a PA, NP, RN, etc.?
PAs and NPs receive education that is competency base and both are advanced practice providers (APPs). Physician assistants are individuals trained using the medical school model, which has an expectation of strong basic science background and clinical experience of between 2,000 to 2,500 hours during their educational program. Nurse practitioners are individuals trained using the nursing school model, and are often trained in a specific area such as pediatrics, etc., following their formal training as a nurse.
- Should I get a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies?
Most states, including Ohio, require a master's degree to practice.
- Are advanced placement courses accepted?
Advance placement (AP) courses (limit two (2) courses) will be accepted for pre-requisite requirements, but will not be calculated into the pre-requisite GPA.
- What do our preceptors have to say about our students?
"The program is well organized and professional. I enjoy the students."
"I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of education that your students are receiving."
"Students are intelligent, motivated and show a lot of promise."
"Students are enthusiastic, quick learners and work well with others."
"Excellent knowledge base and basic diagnostic exam skills. Diligent, attentive, and interested in learning."
"MC starts with quality applicants which makes a big difference in the quality of the final product."- Do you accept transfer students?
At this time, the MC PA program does not accept transfer students directly into the graduate program.
In rare or unforeseen circumstances, the MC PA program may accept transfer of students due to closure of a program, change in accreditation status, natural disasters, or other unanticipated institutional situations.
Admission: The MC PA program will utilize current admission processes with some slight variations to ensure fair and consistent policies to transfer students. Transfer admission candidates will include a review of CASPA application, admission documents, healthcare and leadership experience, and any academic and/or professional documents in the student file from the previous PA program. Candidates are not eligible for transfer if returning from medical/personal leave from the previous institute. Additional MC PA program admission items may be required upon acceptance into the program. Depending on completed PA coursework and considering the semester of acceptance into the MC PA program, some previous institute admission requirements may be accepted.
Didactic: Any student that has not completed the didactic phase of training at another institution must provide previous syllabi for program review and to determine what courses may be accepted. Students will be required to complete all MC PA courses and competencies prior matriculating into the clinical phase of training. Failure to meet these requirements will jeopardize continued enrollment in and graduation from the MC PA program. Cost associated with additional didactic courses or delay in matriculation to the clinical phase will be the responsibility of the student.
Clinical: Any student that has completed the didactic phase of training at another institution in good academic and professional standing and has met MC PA program didactic courses, competencies, and outcomes may be considered for transfer into the clinical phase in the MC PA program requirements.
- Does the program grant transfer of credit?
The program does not grant credit for experiential learning, international medical experience, and transfer of credit from another Physician Assistant Program or medical school.