Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.)

At Towson University, we're training the next generation of physician assistants - one of the fastest-growing professions - through one of the nation’s most established master’s programs of its kind.

Physican Assistant Student

The Physician Assistant Studies master’s program is part of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies?

Many factors contribute to a growing need for more licensed health care providers to treat patients. Physician Assistants (Associates) are highly skilled health care providers and are one of the fastest-growing professions in this country with continued high demand for PA graduates. PA program admissions and matriculation and the PA job market are all highly competitive. 

Our program is the first established in the State of Maryland and one of the older programs in the USA. We have evolved as the profession has matured and are now exclusively housed here at Towson University, College of Health Professions. 

On this page:

PA Program Mission, Vision, Values and Goals

The Physician Assistant Studies Program revised its Mission, Vision and Goals for 2021-2022 as of November 4th, 2021. Outcomes from the prior 2019-2020 goals included integrating interprofessional educational experiences into the PA curriculum. 
For additional information on our achievements, please see the updated Mission, Vision and Goals (PDF).

Our PA Program educates and empowers resilient graduates to practice collaborative, evidence-based medicine in the ever-changing and diverse health care environment.

Our PA Program is renowned for excellence in PA education, leadership, and innovative approaches to interprofessional practice.

Our PA Program values are:

  • cultural humility
  • collegiality
  • integrity
  • interprofessionalism
  • life-long learning
  • leadership

  • Goal 1: For each student cohort, the program will provide the highest level of PA education, medical competencies, and professionalism. This is benchmarked by results on the 5 program learning outcomes.
  • Goal 2: The program will maintain a PANCE 1st time pass rate at or above the national average with each graduating class. This is benchmarked by students' mean performance on each content area and the mean performance on all organ systems and task areas.
  • Goal 3: With each admissions cycle, the program will continue to enhance and strengthen the admission process to create a diverse student population that is reflective of the communities we serve. This is benchmarked by current region census data, reflective of diverse student population admission.
  • Goal 4: The program will provide each student with opportunities for interprofessional collaborative experiences (IPE) and a foundation for leadership, clinically oriented research, and continued life-long learning. This is benchmarked by participation in at least 2 IPE educational activities per year, participation with the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI), collaborative learning simulation with other healthcare students, and student-lead volunteering.

Program Competencies

Our program trains professionals in:

  • Medical knowledge: demonstrate core knowledge about biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
  • Interpersonal and communication skills: demonstrate verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients and all other persons regarding the health care system.
  • Patient care: demonstrate care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of wellness.
  • Professionalism: demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Systems-Based Practice: demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that is of optimal value. Also incorporated within this goal is that students will use technologies to identify, retrieve, and apply relevant information.

Tuition, Fees, Credit and Program Length

Length

  • 26 months, 98 credits
  • Full-time, continuous enrollment is required

Tuition and Fees

Full-time, continuous enrollment is required throughout the 98-credit, 26-month program.

  • In-State Tuition: $506-$531 per unit
  • Out-of-State Tuition: $1,047-$1,099 per unit
  • $2,200 program education and testing fee (non-refundable)
  • $900 program enrollment deposit (non-refundable; applied toward tuition)

Additional university fees are set for each semester. Learn more about financial aid and expenses.

ApPLY TO THE PROGRAM

How to Apply 

  • Applicants must first apply through CASPA. The CASPA verification deadline is August 1. Please allow sufficient time for verification as it can take up to 4-weeks from the date of submission.
  • If extended an invitation for an interview, complete the Towson application by the given deadline. 
  • International graduate students may have additional admission and application requirements. Please review our Admission and Requirements Deadlines for more information.

Additional Application Information

The application for summer 2025 opened on April 25, 2024. All applicants must be verified in CASPA by August 1.

Please allow sufficient time for verification as it can take up to 4-weeks from the date of submission.

Learn more about Admission requirements and deadlines.

Student Attrition Information

In compliance with the ARC-PA Accreditation Standards (5th Edition), the program will provide the most current annual attrition information.

Professional Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Inc. (ARC-PA).

At its September 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Towson University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Towson University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2025

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation — Provisional or Accreditation — Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened. Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn. 

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s). 

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

NCCPA Examination Performance

Individuals who successfully complete the program are eligible for certification by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Graduates of the program have consistently scored well on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), and have achieved a 100% first time pass rate for the class of 2020, surpassing the national exam pass rate average.

For more information please view the NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report.

Why Towson University?

TU Named as No. 1 Public University in Maryland

Lauren Castellana reports that, "Towson University has been named the best public university in Maryland and the No. 15 public university in the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. The publication’s 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings heavily featured TU for its record of inclusive student success."

A Strong Alumni Network

Join a strong network of successful alumni around the country. More than 1,000 program graduates are employed in a wide variety of medical settings in regional, national and international locations.

 A History of Success

The oldest and most established program in Maryland, the physician assistant program began in 1972 as a cooperative effort with the Johns Hopkins University and Franklin Square Hospital. The program has undergone a dynamic evolution in its 50-year history.

A Vital Role

Make a direct impact on patients and their families. Working as part of the medical team, physician assistants practice medicine by performing patient histories and physical examination, ordering or performing laboratory tests, and analyzing medical data to formulate diagnoses and develop care management plans.

Contact Information

Program Director

 
Dr. Daniel O'Donoghue
Location
Health Professions
Suite 4100 B 
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.