In response to the national demand for physician assistants (PAs), the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has developed a physician assistant program with 28 months of rigorous academic courses and challenging clinical rotations. Physician assistants are in high demand because they are integrated into all health care disciplines and settings, are cost-effective for the health care industry, and because of the shortage of physicians. As a matter of fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations”.

Marshall University’s PA graduates will earn a Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant degree, and will be prepared to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patients in primary and specialty care across all stages of life as well as patients in culturally diverse and rural settings. Additionally, the program will provide its students with the competencies and skills to support life-long learning, to apply evidence-based medicine in practice, and to work in interprofessional teams. When this team approach of health care professionals is used, a wider range of services can be offered and more patients will benefit at the regional, state and national levels.

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