Explore Our Physician Assistant Programs
Ready to start your journey toward being a Physician Assistant? Choose the program that's right for you.
Marywood University’s Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to preparing compassionate, highly skilled healthcare professionals. As one of the leading physician assistant programs in Pennsylvania, we provide students with the knowledge, clinical experience, and personalized support needed to succeed in today’s healthcare environment.
Our unique 5-year PA program allows students to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physician assistant studies in just five years. This direct-entry option creates a seamless pathway from undergraduate coursework into advanced clinical training, helping students enter the profession sooner while building a strong foundation for long-term success.
Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals who work as part of a healthcare team. They diagnose illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, create treatment plans, prescribe medications, perform procedures, and assist in surgery. PAs practice in every state and in nearly every medical specialty, playing a vital role in improving access to quality care.
Ready to start your journey toward being a Physician Assistant? Choose the program that's right for you.
The Marywood University Physician Assistant Program is committed to providing students with an exceptional education in a supportive and nurturing environment.
The Program provides a professional education that will include the biomedical and clinical knowledge necessary to diagnose, treat, educate, and empower patients in a variety of settings across the lifespan.
The Program is committed to preparing students to deal with the changing healthcare environment while promoting the PA profession.
The Program emphasizes the importance of creating a knowledgeable community for future PA students to succeed while providing leadership to promote the PA profession.
The Program acknowledges that patients are more than his or her physical body; therefore, the Program is dedicated to teaching our students to appreciate the patient’s spirit in addition to caring for his or her body.
The Program recognizes the need for quality healthcare, both regionally and globally. It prepares each student to embrace empowerment within the profession and to provide competent, compassionate care for all people - especially the underserved. Our students learn the value of advocating for patients, serving their communities, and meeting the challenges of an ever- changing healthcare environment.
Effectiveness in meeting our goals per ARC-PA »
To provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be successful, competent physician assistants.
To prepare students to participate as effective members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams in the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of diverse populations across the lifespan.
To develop effective interpersonal and communication skills within the medical community.
To encourage students to utilize service opportunities to gain professional experience, enhance their classroom learning, and strengthen their community.
To develop professionalism and leadership skills at the local, state, and national level, shaping future policy and legislation to promote Physician Assistant practice.
The Physician Assistant Program is housed in the Keith O'Neill Center for Healthy Families. It features a cutting-edge, technology-ready, amphitheater style classroom. The Physical Assessment Lab (PAL) includes 22 exam tables and 5 private exam rooms for practical education and individual testing of history taking and physical examination techniques. In addition, there are X-ray view boxes, operating room scrub sinks and a variety of teaching models.
PA students complete Gross Anatomy Lab at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, which is 2 miles away from campus.
Additional in-building areas:
Ample interprofessional lounge area with tables and couches
All faculty offices located adjacent to the PA classroom
Facilities off campus:
Partnership with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine for Cadaver Dissection lab as part of Human Gross Anatomy Course
Technology features:
Through the library students have access to: UptoDate, SmartyPance, Rosh Review, Access Medicine, LWW Health Library textbook platforms
Support Features:
Mentor-Mentee program
Peer tutoring
Academic advising
Academic Coaching Program
Student Success Program
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, located on University Avenue, provides classroom and research space, joining academic programs to innovative research. Students from the Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Respiratory Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs have classes in this building. It is also home to The Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the needs of student, professional, amateur, and recreational athletes and the community.
The Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, dedicated on October 18, 2002, was named in honor of its benefactor, esteemed alumnus and former trustee Keith J. O'Neill '76, the first male to graduate from Marywood's dietetics program and an accomplished leader in the dietetics profession. He credits Marywood for "(giving) me the skills and confidence to take on the challenges that come from running a large food service department and eventually from the challenges created by starting my own company."
In 2024, Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences during the dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, a transformative addition to the Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families and a cornerstone of the EMPOWER Campaign.
The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University's mission of fostering excellence in education.
The Physician Assistant Lab (PAL) is housed in the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. It features 31 exam tables for student practice as well as a faculty demonstration station with camera projection to four large screens throughout the room and a pediatric exam table to perform pediatric exams and measurements. The PAL hosts both physical assessment and medical procedures labs and utilizes anatomic models, auscultation models, point of care ultrasound models and various medical procedure training models for unmatched hands- on training.
The Physician Assistant Lecture Hall is equipped with a large, central 14’ projector, 2 suspended screens, recording capabilities and state of the art audio equipment to enhance the classroom experience. The space seats 96 comfortably and offers electrical outlets at each seat.
The Anatomage virtual dissection table is utilized in conjunction with cadaver lab to assist in the Human Gross Anatomy lab training. This state-of-the-art equipment allows for virtual dissection and case studies.
The Mock Operating Room is fully equipped with OR lighting, a fully functional OR table and surgical scrub sinks to simulate a surgical environment. To further enhance surgical skills, students are able to practice with our Laparoscopic Surgical Simulator to prepare for clinical rotations and practice.
There are 9 individual exam rooms utilized for practical education and testing of history and physical examination techniques. Each exam room is designed to mimic a provider office and is accessible to students to practice throughout their time here.
There are 2 simulation rooms with state-of-the art critical care, birthing, neonatal and pediatric simulators. Each simulation room is equipped with a camera for recording of sessions and 2-way glass for observation.
There are 3 private study rooms which can be accessed 24/7 with key-card access. These spaces are ideal for group studying and collaboration.
A student break room and kitchen provides space for students to store and prepare food, eat comfortably between classes and socialize with peers.
Program Director | Department Chair | Eligibility Track Coordinator | Associate Professor of Practice
Principal Faculty | Assistant Professor of Practice
Assistant Program Director | Admissions Chair | Assistant Professor of Practice
Assistant Professor of Practice | Clinical Coordinator
Lecturer
Medical Director | Asst Prof of Practice/Medical Director
Administrative Assistant
Lecturer
Assistant Professor of Practice
Associate Professor of Practice | Principal Faculty | Student Success Coach
Assistant Professor of Practice
Lecturer
Academic Director | Principal Faculty | Assistant Professor of Practice
Lecturer
Lecturer
Administrative Assistant
Lecturer
Lecturer
Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor of Practice
Assistant Professor of Practice/Clinical Coordinator
Clinical Director | Assistant Professor of Practice
Lecturer
Students are not required to find preceptors/sites.
Marywood University's PA Program offers no advanced placement.
We require candidates to shadow a PA for a minimum of 50 hours. We do not provide a shadowing service. If you don't already know a PA, you may consider asking a local health care provider, local medical office or area hospital to recommend a practicing PA. Just make sure to first obtain permission from the physician assistant and be aware that you may also need permission from the hospital or clinic, as there are strict patient privacy (HIPAA) issues involved.
There is a mandatory weeklong orientation that occurs one week prior to the start of Summer classes in May.
The PA program is accredited for a maximum of 75 students per cohort.
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program is 24 months in duration and begins in May.
This is a full-time program, with no part-time option. During the first year, students will have classes Monday through Friday, generally from 8 a.m. to at least 5 p.m. There may be one or two evening classes per semester as well. While on rotations during the second year, students will go to a new rotation site every five weeks and are expected to fulfill the hours required at different sites, including evenings, weekends, and on-call coverage. A Marywood PA student will complete all of their rotations in 1 year. Students will start in May and end in May prior to graduation from PA school. Students will be scheduled in 10 - 5 week rotation blocks in various specialties. Some specialties are required such as pediatrics, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. Some rotations, such as the elective and clinical track option, are in specialties that the student can choose.
We offer a Mentor-Mentee program that matches a Didactic year student with a Clinical year student, as a “mentor” to help guide a new student through the program. Every student is also assigned a faculty advisor. Advising meetings will occur at least once per semester, at which time the advisor and student will discuss their academic progress. Students who require additional academic support will be enrolled in the Student Success Program, which assists students with time management skills, study skills and test-taking tips. Marywood’s Counseling/Student Development Center, Office of Student Success, Student Health Services, The Writing Center and Library are also available to PA students.
Our program involves an intensive course of didactic and clinical medical education. It is extremely difficult to work during the didactic and/or the clinical phase of the program due to the intensity of the coursework. During the clinical year, most of our students will average 50 or more hours per week in clinical learning activities.
Applicants are notified of an admission decision within approximately two weeks of their interview. Upon acceptance, a $750 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your seat in the program.
The wait list is utilized to fill seats that open after interviews have concluded. Typically, candidates are selected as seats become available. After all expected candidates arrive for orientation in May, those not selected will be sent a final decision letter.
Confirm if you want to be on the wait list.
Those on the wait list can potentially be admitted into the program up until May.
Continue with your current experiences and complete your prerequisite courses.
Review the website and statistics on admitted students. Re-assess your application to find areas for potential improvement. For example, maybe you had one or two low grades that lowered your overall and/or prerequisite GPA, or maybe you were not involved actively in community service, or merely forgot to include it on your application.
Start your process of reapplying for the next admissions cycle. If this is the path you are committed to, then keep trying!
No, however all applicants must have completed the prerequisite courses prior to matriculation into the program. If you are granted admission, you will need to provide Marywood with your updated transcript and proof of degree completion (if applicable) prior to matriculating into the PA program.
No, however all applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation into the program. If you have completed most prerequisites and are in the process of finishing your bachelor’s degree, you may apply and be granted conditional acceptance. Proof of your degree will be required prior to matriculation.
The Admissions Cycle opens in mid-April every year, and the deadline for admission is January 15th. Any application that is received or incomplete after that date will not be reviewed and the applicant will be ineligible for consideration during that cycle.
Students should be well prepared for the PANCE prior to graduation while completing the Marywood PA Program. Students take the PAEA standardized EOR exams after each rotation, providing them with a detailed breakdown of how they performed in order to strengthen their knowledge on board topics. So students are continually studying for their boards. Students also are provided with end of rotation day lectures on board related topics. Students are given a Mock Boards exam during their clinical year along with the PACKRAT, a standardized testing tool, to help prepare for boards. Students are allowed 1 week off during the clinical year to attend a board review conference of their choice. Lastly, students are provided with a board review course on campus the week of graduation.
The program does not guarantee job placement. Faculty do provide students with any emails/requests they receive for job placements. Faculty also help students write a curriculum vitae and cover letter. They provide lectures on contract negotiations and the interview process. Students are also able to discuss job offers with PA faculty and review of their contracts.
The PA program does not provide housing at clinical sites. We understand that all medicine does not occur just in Scranton. We want each student to have a diverse clinical experience that will include out of town rotations.
Students are not required to set up any rotations on their own. Students are able to make suggestions on rotations they would like to complete either locally or out of the area.
The clinical rotations can be located anywhere across the United States.
PA Websites
Marywood Student Resources
Admission to the PA Eligibility Track is selective, as students must maintain high standards required for admittance to the professional phase.
MUPASS
Marywood University Physician Assistant Student Society. MUPASS is an organization comprised of Physician Assistant students. This organization is committed to increasing awareness of the PA profession and promoting health and wellness on campus, in the community and on a national level. The members of this society will participate in health related awareness activities, conferences as well as encourage service and scholarship by its members.
Location: Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 570-348-6298
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Accredited and Respected: Recognized among top PA programs in Pennsylvania.
Hands-On Learning: Students gain clinical experience early in the program through diverse healthcare settings.
Personalized Attention: Small class sizes mean close connections with faculty mentors.
Strong Outcomes: Our graduates are well-prepared and highly sought after by healthcare systems across the state and beyond.
At Marywood, we believe in preparing PAs who not only excel clinically but also carry forward our mission of practicing medicine responsibly in an interdependent world.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Marywood University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Marywood University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be January 2036. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
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The accreditation review also acknowledged Marywood's growing culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement, while recognizing major investments in student success, academic assessment, governance, financial stewardship, and strategic planning.
Actress/Comedian Caroline Rhea addressed more than 930 graduates.
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