Our Physician Assistant program will give you both the modern skills to be an indispensable member of a healthcare team and the cultural awareness necessary to effectively treat diverse populations.
Leaders in every clinical setting
Our physician assistant program is focused on building a strong scientific foundation as well as leadership, analytical and interpersonal skills through hands-on clinical experience. You'll learn to be a crucial extension of the physician in various practice settings, conduct diagnostic tests and perform routine procedures.
The 27-month program offers a comprehensive blend of courses that examine subjects such as pharmacology, internal medicine, surgery and emergency medicine. You’ll gain extensive practical experience collaborating with healthcare providers in hospitals and other medical facilities. During your first year, you’ll be paired with a licensed healthcare provider one-half day a week to begin applying what you’ve learned in the classroom in professional settings with real patients.
Our interprofessional approach presents opportunities to collaborate with students from other medical and health science disciplines where you’ll build essential teamwork and leadership skills. You’ll have access to the most sophisticated equipment and facilities, where you’ll learn to interpret diagnostic imaging and perform procedures such as suturing, injections and wound treatment. There are also rewarding volunteer opportunities, such as the Urban Service Track program, which provides medical services to underserved populations throughout Connecticut.
Program Statistics
95% First Time Pass Rate
Our 5-year, first-time pass rate percentage on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination.
+28% In Demand
Physician Assistants are in high demand, with a 28% projected increase in employment from 2023 to 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Mission, Vision and Core Values
The mission of Quinnipiac's physician assistant program is to increase access to quality healthcare through the education and development of caring, knowledgeable and competent physician assistants who are dedicated to:
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Clinical Competence: Developing highly qualified healthcare providers who demonstrate an investigative and analytic approach to clinical situations and provide care that is effective, safe, high quality and equitable.
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Professionalism: Providing care with respect, compassion and integrity with a commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development.
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Interprofessionalism: Preparing students for a team-based care system through inter-professional education.
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Leadership: Working effectively with healthcare professionals as a member or leader of a healthcare team or other professional/community group. Mentoring and developing future leaders within the profession and the community.
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Community Engagement: Demonstrating responsibility and accountability to patients, society and the profession through active community involvement and volunteerism.
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Cultural Humility: A state of openness toward understanding and respecting important aspects of other people’s cultural identities. This requires an awareness of one’s personal and professional beliefs, biases, attitudes and actions that affect patient care and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Demonstrating awareness, acceptance and accountability in creating a diverse, inclusive, equitable and just community, built upon awareness, acceptance, respect and compassion towards others.
Graduate physician assistants who are dedicated to providing quality healthcare by fostering teamwork, critical thinking skills, high ethical standards and respect for diverse patient populations.
Excellence: A commitment to teaching excellence and championing quality, evidence-based healthcare in an innovative and supportive learning environment that fosters the student's personal effectiveness.
Accountability: Demonstrating responsibility to students, the University, patients, society and the PA profession utilizing a continuous process improvement system.
Integrity: Honesty and adherence to the highest standards of professional behavior and ethical conduct.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Building respectful partnerships within the University and the community to transform the healthcare system.
Advocacy and Equity: Seeking to eliminate disparities and barriers to effective, quality healthcare through patient advocacy and advocacy of the PA profession.
Intellectual Curiosity: Exhibiting self-reflection, intellectual curiosity and initiative, critical thinking and the enthusiastic pursuit of lifelong learning within a supportive environment that encourages research and scholarly work.
Wellness: Promoting an environment of personal health and wellness and mindfulness in the care of self and others.
Faculty Spotlight
Students celebrate professors with heartfelt sticky notes, expressing gratitude for an unforgettable semester
December 12, 2023
First-year graduate physician assistant students extended heartfelt wishes, conveying gratitude to their professors who guided them through the challenges and triumphs of this past semester.
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Student Spotlight
Physician assistant students present research posters at national conference
April 28, 2025
More than 30 students are preparing to travel to Denver, Colorado, to present their research posters at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) national conference this May.
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Short White Coat Syndrome: A PA Student Podcast
This podcast, developed with current students, debuted in February 2022 under the advisement of Shahana Lee Theriault, clinical assistant professor of physician assistant studies. The project's mission is to give insight to prospective and current PA students as well as practicing PAs in the field. Current episodes discuss the journey to PA school with tips on how to "survive" once accepted while upcoming episodes will focus on specific specialties in medicine, underrepresented aspects of healthcare and leadership opportunities for PAs.
Alumni Spotlight
Physician assistant graduate recognized for exceptional transgender care
October 26, 2023
Cheryl Sturgis, MHS ’14, a graduate of the physician assistant program at Quinnipiac, recently earned recognition at Dartmouth Health as the 2023 physician assistant of the year.
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Quinnipiac Today
Contact Admissions
Our graduate admissions representatives are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.