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About the MMSC in PA Studies

Why Pursue a PA (Physician Assistant) Degree at Cedarville?

If God is calling you to serve as a PA, Cedarville University’s MMSc-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 masters degree 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.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

MMSc-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.

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.

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.

State-of-the-Art Facilities — You’ll learn in the brand-new second floor of the Callan Athletic Center (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.

Callan Expansion Tour

We are excited to celebrate the completion of the Callan Athletic and Academic Expansion. Take a video tour of the new space, including a team room and varsity weight room for our athletes and classroom, lab, and faculty offices for our Master of Athletic Training and PA graduate programs.

What Can You Do With an MMSc-PA Degree?

PAs are highly sought medical care practitioners and rated as one of the top healthcare jobs (as well as #1 overall in STEM jobs) by U.S. News & World Report in 2021. As a PA, you are able to diagnose illnesses, 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 complete 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:

  • American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
  • Ohio Association of Physicians Assistants (OAPA)
  • Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
  • Fellowship of Christian PAs (FCPA)

Admission, Costs and Aid, Start Dates

Admission Requirements — The first step in your graduate school journey at Cedarville is to apply to the program through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and complete the free Cedarville Graduate Application.

PA Program Admissions Info

Costs and Financial Aid — Your decision to pursue quality, Christian graduate education represents a valuable investment in your career and professional development. To assure your degree is also affordable, Cedarville graduate programs are competitively priced and can be supplemented with a variety of financial aid.

PA Program Cost Information

Program Start Dates — Cohorts matriculate and start classes annually in May.

Program 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.

Your MMSc-PA program will be divided into two phases: a didactic year and a clinical year. Courses during your didactic year will build upon your previous education and will introduce you to various medical disciplines, physical diagnosis, and practical skills you will use as a physician assistant. All of your coursework will be taught with a biblical worldview.

Sample Coursework:

  • Biblical Foundations of Modern Medicine
  • Clinical Anatomy
  • Clinical Medicine, Pharmacology, and Lab & Diagnostic series
  • Biomedical Ethics and Culture
  • PA Profession & Healthcare Systems

Start Your Degree in High School!

Save time and money in college by taking dual enrollment courses now. Discover how the Dual Enrollment Physician Assistant Pathway will give you a head start and set you up for success in the PA program.

Explore the Dual Enrollment Pathway

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Graduate
Physician Assistant providing care for a youth in a medical office.

From Our Director:

  • We have a unique opportunity to train and disciple PA students to meet not only the physical needs of patients but also the more critical spiritual needs in a loving, empathetic, and discerning manner.
    Jason Grahame, Director, PA Program
    Jason Grahame
Learn About Career Services

Program Contacts

Photo of Jason Grahame

Jason Grahame, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA

PA Program Director | Associate Professor of PA Studies

Contact

Physician Assistant (PA) Program
School of Allied Health and Psychology

Program News