Physician associates 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.
Alvernia will offer two pathways to obtain a Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Studies: a Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated track and a traditional post-baccalaureate program. The Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated track is a fast-paced course of study which allows focused students to obtain both a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Medical Science degree within five years. The Alvernia University Physician Associate Program will welcome its first class in August of 2024! Please refer to our updated accreditation status from the ARC-PA. At this time, the Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated track is only available for first-year students. We invite transfer students to complete another major and apply for the Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Studies after completion of their baccalaureate degree.
Professional Title Change
On May 24, 2021, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) House of Delegates passed a resolution affirming “physician associate” as the official title of the PA profession.1 This title change will take time to fully implement as it involves other national PA organizations: Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA); PA programs, AAPA Constituent Organizations, as well as state and federal governments, regulators, and employers.
The purpose of the title change is to allow PAs to hold a professional title that ensures clarity about the work that they provide within the healthcare system. It does not impact a PA’s scope of practice. PAs will continue to use physician assistant as their official legal title in the professional capacity until jurisdiction governing licensure and practice has formally adopted the new title. This process may take several years but is underway. Therefore, Alvernia University has adopted the title “Physician Associate Program” as a reflection of the status of the profession. For more information about the Physician Assistant title change investigation and final report to the AAPA House of Delegates, please refer to the AAPA website.