Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies*

About the Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.M.Sc.-PA)

If God is calling you to serve as physician assistant, Cedarville University’s M.M.Sc.-PA will equip you as a God-honoring clinician. Through exceptional academics, biblical integration, and intentional discipleship from godly professors, you will be prepared as a highly skilled medical care practitioner who treats illness and addresses the needs of the whole patient.

You will complete this 24-month PA program on Cedarville’s beautiful southwest Ohio campus, where you’ll experience high-quality medical education, committed and well-credentialed faculty, and a vibrant Christian community. You’ll also benefit from collaborative learning alongside Cedarville’s other strong undergraduate and graduate healthcare programs, including pharmacy, nursing, and athletic training.

M.M.Sc.-PA Program Highlights

Early decision – If you apply by August 1, you will be eligible for an early interview and decision on your acceptance into the program.

Biblical worldview – Building on your prior biblical training, you’ll experience Scripture integrated throughout the curriculum that will strengthen your commitment to Jesus Christ and equip you to serve your profession, patients, and culture well. The Bible serves as our authority and basis for discussions on medical ethics, sanctity of life, origins, and the integration of faith in the practice of medicine.

Innovative curriculum – This rigorous and fast-paced curriculum is designed to maximize your learning and provide you with ample opportunity to obtain the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to become an exceptional PA. The 24-month, year-round, full-time schedule allows you to get to the workforce more quickly and graduates students earlier than other programs in the area.

Mentoring faculty – Your faculty members are committed to your success. We desire to come alongside you and guide you through your educational journey, professional development, and your spiritual growth.

State-of-the-art facilities – You’ll learn in the brand-new second floor of the Callan Athletic Center (to be completed March 2022), which includes dedicated classroom space, collaboration rooms, and a skills lab you can access at any time. The PA Program also uses classrooms and labs from the Engineering and Science Center and Health Sciences Center.

What Can I Do With an M.M.Sc.-PA Degree?

PAs are highly sought medical care practitioners and rated as the #1 healthcare job (as well as #1 overall in STEM jobs) by U.S. News & World Report in 2021. As a PA, you are able to diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal medical care practitioner.  Because of your training in a generalist model, you are versatile and can practice in any medical specialty and work collaboratively alongside the healthcare team.

Physician assistants:

• Practice in every state, medical setting, and specialty
• Are trusted medical care practitioners
• Increase access to healthcare, making it easier for patients to get medical appointments
• Improve the quality of healthcare
• Are one of the fastest growing jobs in America (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Opportunities to Learn Outside of the Classroom

The following experiences will enhance and complement your PA coursework:

Supervised clinical practice experiences – By caring for patients under the supervision of a clinical preceptor, you will apply learned medical knowledge to real life-clinical scenarios, learn from an experienced clinician in practice, and find inspiration and direction for your own career path. Our clinical year curriculum consists of nine four-week rotations in various areas of medicine, including family medicine, internal medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, surgery, emergency medicine, and behavioral medicine. You will also choose two electives in other areas you are interested in.

Professional organizations – You will become student members of professional organizations that function at the state and national level, providing you networking opportunities and exposing you to activities to further your understanding of and involvement in your profession.

Accreditation

Cedarville University is developing its application for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Cedarville University anticipates matriculating its first class in May 2023, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the September 2022 ARC-PA meeting. Learn More »