Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)

Prepare to become a highly competent, patient-centered physician assistant.


About the Physician Assistant Studies Program

At Delaware Valley University, you will find a physician assistant program that is dedicated to the pillars of scholarship, service, and professionalism. As a student in our program, you will:

  • Gain the skills and training you need to become a highly competent, excellent clinician and leader in the complex health care environment.Ìý
  • Learn how to provide compassionate, team-based, and evidence-based patient care.Ìý
  • Learn to meet the diverse needs of society and communities as a multi-culturally competent healthcare professional.Ìý
  • Have unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning. At DelVal, we strive to provide a well-rounded and hands-on clinical experience that fosters collaboration, integration and innovation in the practice of medicine and beyond.Ìý

Curriculum and Course Sequence Document

ARC-PA logo
Accreditation
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The ARC-PA has grantedÌý´¡³¦³¦°ù±ð»å¾±³Ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô-±Ê°ù´Ç±¹¾±²õ¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ôÌýstatus to theÌýDelaware Valley University Physician Assistant ProgramÌýsponsored byÌýDelaware Valley University.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PAÌý³§³Ù²¹²Ô»å²¹°ù»å²õÌýor when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with theÌý³§³Ù²¹²Ô»å²¹°ù»å²õÌýas it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

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

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Gain Clinical Experience in the Physician Assistant Program

Gain Clinical Experience in the Physician Assistant Program

Students in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at DelVal can expect to complete clinical experiences in a variety of clinical settings. The majority of rotations occur with regional health service partners who aim to provide an educational experience that includes a comprehensive, compassionate and patient-centered approach to care. Students and regional partners benefit from the potential for a core clinical network model. The program’s dedication to the Greater Delaware Valley region provides a strong pipeline for future employment opportunities.

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Physician Assistant Program Tuition & Fees


Learn More About Being a PA

The Delaware Valley University Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to the pillars of scholarship, service and professionalism. The program strives to train clinicians who are versed in leadership in the complex healthcare environment. The program is committed to educating graduates to provide compassionate team-based and evidence-based patient care, meeting the needs of society and their diverse communities.

Class of 2025 Profile

Overall acceptance rate = 3.2%

Academic & Experiential Preparation

  • Grade Point Average (GPA)
Ìý

Average

n (%)

Overall GPA

3.3

100%

Science GPA

3.15

100%

Post-Bacc GPA

3.6

75%

Graduate GPA

3.5

35%

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

Ìý

Average (Percentile)

n (%)

Analytical

65th

25%

Quantitative

45th

25%

Verbal

60th

25%

  • Relevant Experience

Ìý

Hours

Health Care & Patient Care

5930

Shadowing

245

Volunteering & Community Enrichment

590

Ongoing Program Goals

  • Attract, select, and retain highly qualified students
    • Outcome #1:ÌýAn incoming class profile, including GPA, GRE and experience hours, will be published by December of each year. This profile will demonstrate that the incoming cohort has met or exceeded programmatic benchmarks.
    • Outcome #2: Maintain an attrition rate of less than 10%
      Ìý

      Graduated Classes

      Ìý

      Class of 2024

      Class of 2025

      Class of 2026

      Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA)

      20

      20

      #

      Entering class size

      20

      20

      #

      Graduates

      18

      (expected)

      20

      (expected)

      #

      * Attrition rate

      10% to date

      0% to date

      #

      **Graduation rate

      TBD

      TBD

      #

  • Maintain first-time PANCE pass rate above national average
    • Outcome #1: PANCE results will be published annually. A direct link to the NCCPA report will be included here no later than March, 2025 and the below table will be updated when data are available:

      CLASS

      NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME TEST TAKERS

      PROGRAM FIRST-TIME TEST TAKER PASS RATE

      NATIONAL FIRST-TIME TEST TAKER PASS RATE

      2024

      Ìý

      Ìý

      Ìý

      2025

      Ìý

      Ìý

      Ìý

      2026

      Ìý

      Ìý

      Ìý

      2027

      Ìý

      Ìý

      Ìý

      2028

      Ìý

      Ìý

      Ìý

      Ìý

  • Prepare students to fulfill community health needs
    • Outcome #1:Ìý100% of students will complete the Public Health course, demonstrating the ability to obtain and interpret local health indicators

This course has been successfully completed by all learners in the program to date and has met all programmatic benchmarks for effectiveness.

    • Outcome #2:Ìý100% of students will complete at least one service learning activity

All students have completed a minimum of two service learning opportunities, with organizations including the Doylestown YMCA, Family Services Association of Bucks County, A Woman’s Place, BCHIP, MANNA, Bucks County Opportunity Council, and the Lenape Valley Foundation.

  • Provide students with experiential learning opportunities beginning in the first year of the program
    • Outcome #1:Ìý100% of students will participate in a first-year clinical experience

All students have been placed in local clinics, practices, and hospital settings and spend one day per week in the clinical environment during the first year of the Program.

  • Prepare students to provide evidence-based care to a wide range of patients in a multidisciplinary health care team
    • Outcome #1:Ìý100% of students will complete the Evidence-Based Practice course, demonstrating the ability to search for and appraise medical literature

This course has been successfully completed by all learners in the program to date and has met all programmatic benchmarks for effectiveness.

    • Outcome #2:Ìý100% of students will complete an interprofessional education experience

Physician Assistant students participated in an interprofessional education activity with peers in the Graduate Counseling Psychology and Speech Language Pathology programs.

    • Outcome #3:Ìý100% of students will have an interprofessional encounter in the clinical setting

To date, all clinical phase students have logged interprofessional encounters, with the most common professions being nursing, physicians in training (residents/fellows), rehabilitation professionals (PT, OT, SLP), pharmacists, radiology technicians, and social work. This outcome is further measured with the summative student portfolio prior to graduation.

The success of the program in achieving its goals and additional program outcomes of interest will be updated as the program’s development progresses and the first cohort of students matriculates and graduates.

PANCE Pass Rates:

Delaware Valley University anticipates graduating its first cohort of students in October, 2024. PANCE pass rates will be posted when available, no later than March, 2025.Ìý

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to the PA profession and PA education as it enhances the quality of instruction and patient care. The Program aims to foster a welcoming, fair, and respectful environment, inclusive of all differences and individual identities. We strive to create a didactic and clinical education that is well-rounded and cultivates meaningful interactions and experiences with faculty, staff and preceptors with distinct backgrounds and perspectives. All students will graduate with the cross-cultural competencies necessary to effectively and respectfully treat diverse patients and function effectively on multicultural teams.Ìý

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is demonstrated in our holistic admissions process, curriculum, hiring practices, and thoughtful selection of clinical rotation sites. The Program has established goals specific to diversity and inclusion, as follows:

  • Recruit and admit a diverse cohort of students
    • Outcome #1:ÌýAt least 50% of the incoming class will answer “yes†to at least one diversity indicator

Class of 2024: 85%

Class of 2025: 75%

    • Outcome #2:ÌýAt least 15% of interview questions will address principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion

This has been achieved per internal audit of the Program’s admissions and hiring practices.

  • Provide resources toward training culturally sensitive and responsive physician assistants
    • Outcome #1:Ìý100% of students will complete a dedicated course in Cultural Competence and Multicultural Healthcare

This course has been successfully completed by all learners in the program to date and has met all programmatic benchmarks for effectiveness.

    • Outcome #2:Ìý100% of students will receive at least one DEI-focused certification during their time in the program

Trainings completed by students include those offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Think Cultural Health) and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. All students to date have successfully completed these trainings.

  • Recruit a diverse team of culturally sensitive and responsive faculty and staff
    • Outcome #1:ÌýAt least 50% of faculty and staff will answer “yes†to at least one diversity indicator

Currently, 67% of faculty and staff meet at least one of the Program’s diversity indicators.

    • Outcome #2:Ìý100% of faculty and staff will complete annual DEI training

This outcome has been achieved, with faculty and staff completing trainings in cultural intelligence, trauma-informed education, and disability support services/accommodations.

DelVal Voices Video Series
Contact
Shannon Diallo, PA-C, Program Director Physician Assistant Studies