Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant Studies (MS)

Overview | Tuition & Fees | Open Houses | Graduate Handbook

Application deadline - September 1st

Overview

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care providers who practice medicine with physician supervision. They are highly sought after members of the health care team who provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care. PAs are dependent practitioners who perform a broad range of medical tasks and procedures with the supervision, but not necessarily in the presence, of a supervising physician. The PA scope of practice is authorized by state law and determined by the supervising physician.

PAs take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order diagnostic tests/studies, diagnose, develop and implement a treatment plan in consultation with the supervising physician, prescribe medication in all states, advise and educate patients on health promotion and disease management, provide inpatient hospital care for patients and assist in surgery. They provide care both in teaching institutions and in hospitals where there are no physician residents and are employed in health centers, multi-specialty medical group practices, emergency rooms, college health services, physician's offices, and nursing homes.

Northeastern University's Bouvé College of Health Sciences has been training physician assistants since 1971, making us one of the most experienced programs in the nation. Since its founding, Northeastern's PA Program has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and its predecessors. The 2011 US News and World Report Graduate Rankings list Northeastern University's Physician Assistant Program as #13 in the nation.

The program is a full-time, 24-month graduate program that provides an opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Graduates of the PA program take the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE) after graduation. Certification is required for initial licensure/registration in all states. The pass rates for first-time takers of the Northeastern PA Program compare very favorably with the national rates.  Northeastern's PANCE scores for the previous 5 years are at the  National Commision on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for students beginning the program in the fall of 2013 is $32,235/year. Additional required fees (for 2012-2013) include:

• Student Fees - approximately $350/year
• Medical Equipment - approximately $900
• Required Textbooks - approximately $300
• Criminal Background Check - $26-$40/year

There are also additional fees associated with parking at some clinical rotation sites.

By law, all students in Massachusetts are required to have health insurance. If a student does not elect to take the Northeastern University student health insurance plan ($2474 for the 2012-2013 academic year), evidence of other comparable health insurance coverage must be provided. More details about the required graduate student fees.

Information about financial aid is available through The Office of Student Financial Services (617.373.5899).

There are several types of need-based financial aid in the form of loans including a loan available only for physician assistant students. Very limited part-time employment during the first year of the program is possible but is not feasible during the second year. There are no graduate assistantships or Double Husky Scholarships available for PA students.

Open Houses

The program is unable to offer tours of campus.  However, the Bouvé College of Health Sciences Graduate School schedules several open houses and information sessions during the academic year.  A representative from the PA Program is always in attendance at these events.  Please see the Graduate School Open House  web page to access the schedule for the next academic year or contact their office at 617-373-2708.

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Contact Info

Physician Assistant
202 Robinson Hall
Tel: 617.373.3195