Dec 07, 2025

2025-2026 NSU Graduate Catalog

Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.

Location(s): Muskogee

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OSRHE Program Code: 155
CIP Code: 510912

Major Code: 7920

The 27-month Physician Assistant Studies curriculum requires 110 credit hours to graduate with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The PA program is housed in the NSU Muskogee campus.

See Physician Assistant program handbook for additional student learning outcomes and assessment information.

Purpose

Mission

The mission of the Physician Assistant Studies Program at Northeastern State University is to graduate qualified and compassionate physician assistants to address the shortage of providers in rural northeastern Oklahoma and among the American Indian populations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a high level of medical knowledge and effectively apply that knowledge to patient care.
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity, inclusion, and respect for individual differences among colleagues and patients.
Demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and self-directed learning throughout the curriculum and in clinical settings.

Specialty Accreditation

At its March 2025 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Northeastern State University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northeastern State University on Accreditation- Probation status until its following review in April 2027.

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, the period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA determines that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires extra time to achieve full compliance.

Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements promptly, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn. Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northeastern-state-university/.

The College of Science and Health Professions and Northeastern State University fully support the Physician Assistant Studies Program and are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). We remain committed to student success and delivering a high-quality, nationally-ranked program.

FAQs About Accreditation
If I’m a current student in the NSU PA Program (Class of 2025 or Class of 2026), will I graduate from an accredited program and be able to take the PANCE?

Yes. ARC-PA defines a student as graduating from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation.

If I join the NSU PA program and start in October 2025 (Class of 2027), will I graduate from an accredited program and be able to take the PANCE?

Yes. ARC-PA defines a student as graduating from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation.

What happens if in November 2027, NSU PA does not come off probation? Will I still be able to graduate and take the PANCE?

Yes. NSU PA has the full support of the University and College of Health Sciences and intends to be fully accredited without probation in November 2027. In the event this is not the case, the program will continue to teach the current students through graduation, and students will still be able to take the PANCE.

Why is NSU PA on probation?

The ARC-PA provides an overview to ensure students are best prepared for clinical practice. This temporary status allows us time to make program improvements and ensure that we are aligning our activities with the expectations of the ARC-PA. Specific to NSU PA, the citations received are primarily related to our documents, such as clinical syllabi and data collection. Additionally, the accreditation commission requires a more robust assessment of student outcomes and the effectiveness of administrative processes. This effort is already underway, as the program has begun working with an external consultant to improve its assessment processes and evaluate how students meet the program’s learning outcomes.

Will the accreditation action affect my ability to obtain employment?

Employers look for board-certified PAs and rely heavily on recommendations and references from the program’s faculty and preceptors. NSU PA maintains strong relationships with its clinical partners and preceptors who provide excellent training. The curriculum will become even stronger with the addition of rotations in Pediatrics, Women’s Health, and Behavioral Health, involving board-certified physicians and PAs. NSU PA currently maintains a 100% all-time pass rate on the PANCE and has an excellent job placement record. The program is dedicated to supporting its students by offering high-quality clinical rotations and facilitating job placement opportunities.

Will I be able to obtain a state license to practice?

Yes. PA licensure requirements vary by state, but most states require graduation from an accredited program. For example, Wisconsin licensure states one must “have graduated from an accredited program,” then pass the licensure exam, and be certified by NCCPA. The definition of “graduate from an accredited program” will apply to students who matriculate to the program when it is fully accredited.

Is NSU PA accredited overall?

Yes. NSU PA is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Credential Requirements

Upon completion of all program requirements and degree conferral, candidates are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), developed by the the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). After passing PANCE, PAs are issued NCCPA certification and can use the PA-C designation until the certification expiration date (approximately ten years). Fees apply for the examination and licensure credential. Students are encouraged to talk with their faculty mentor about licensure requirements and to consult the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) organization for more information.

Admission Standards and Application Procedures

Admission Standards

An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college completed prior to matriculation into the program.
Completion of all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of “C” or better. All prerequisites must come from a regionally accredited college or university. A single course cannot satisfy more than one prerequisite. Applicants may apply with outstanding prerequisite courses as long as they communicate a clear and reasonable plan to complete those courses and have no more than two prerequisite courses in progress after December 31 of the year prior to entering the program. The health-related upper division biology courses must be completed within seven years of matriculation into the program.
Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending.
Have a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as computed by Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). A minimum science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as calculated by CASPA is also required. No exceptions will be made. Applicants not meeting GPA requirements will be ineligible for admission and removed from further consideration.
Although not required for admission to the program, prior healthcare experience is expected. In the program’s anticipated competitive selection process, the length and depth of healthcare experience is a selection factor.
The program does not allow advanced placement or exemption from PA coursework. CLEP examination or advanced placement credit may not be used to meet program prerequisite requirements. Experiential learning experience cannot substitute for prerequisite requirements.

Admission Preferences

Preference is given to applicants who have successfully completed their prerequisites before applying to the PA program. Considering qualified applicants, preference will first be given to Oklahoma residents. Highly qualified non-resident applicants are encouraged to apply and may successfully compete for admission.

Application Procedure

Submit an on-line application through CASPA during the application period April through October 1 of the year prior to intended entry to the program. https://portal.caspaonline.org/
Submit three letters of reference directly to CASPA.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including NSU) directly to CASPA. For applicants offered an interview, updates to grades for courses completed after the application deadline (as allowed in #2) must be submitted directly to the Physician Assistant Studies Program as courses are completed and before matriculation into the program.
International coursework must be submitted to World Education Services for evaluation.
Completion of a mandatory on-campus interview will be required of those selected for final consideration from the CASPA applicant pool. Meeting all prerequisites does not guarantee the applicant an interview.
Be formally admitted to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program through the PA Program Admissions Committee and receive final admission approval with the completion of post-acceptance requirements.
Review post-acceptance requirements and affirm ability to meet each before matriculation into the program. Only students accepted into the PA program will be required to apply and receive formal admission to the NSU Graduate College. All admitted PA students must satisfy immunization requirements, meet technical standards, provide health insurance verification, pass a drug screen and background check. All post-acceptance requirements and forms must be completed before matriculation into the program.

Advanced Placement, Transfer of Credit, Credit for Experiential Learning

The Physician Assistant Studies program does not allow for advanced placement in the program or exemption from coursework for any student.

Academic Retention Standards

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average or above in all didactic and clinical coursework. Students must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher in order to progress in the program.

Graduation Standards

To graduate from the Northeastern State University Physician Assistant Studies program, each student must satisfactorily complete the following. “Satisfactory completion” means completing all courses, clinical rotations, and summative evaluation with a letter grade of “C” or higher and demonstrating professionalism appropriate for an entry-level physician assistant.

All didactic coursework
All clinical rotations (required and elective)
The capstone paper
All assignments designated by the program as required including any assigned remediation
A summative evaluation of all medical-related knowledge and skills, consisting of both objective examinations and skill performance evaluations
Cumulative GPA equal to or greater than 3.0. Students must pass all courses with a letter grade of “C” or higher in order to graduate from the program.

All students who have successfully completed the Physician Assistant Studies program graduation requirements are recommended for graduation by the Program Director to the Dean of the College of Science and Health Professions.

Prerequisite Requirements

The following prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. All prerequisites must come from a regionally accredited college or university. A single course cannot satisfy more than one prerequisite. Applicants may apply with outstanding prerequisite courses as long as they communicate a clear and reasonable plan to complete those courses and have no more than two prerequisite courses in progress after December 31 of the year prior to entering the program. Preference is given to applicants who have successfully completed their prerequisites before applying to the PA program. There may be additional undergraduate course requirements prior to taking the prerequisite courses.

Microbiology with laboratory (4 credit hrs)
General Chemistry I with laboratory (4 credit hrs)
General Chemistry II with laboratory (4 credit hrs)
Organic Chemistry I with laboratory (4 credit hrs)
Mathematics, College Algebra or higher (3 credit hrs)
Statistics (3 credit hrs)
Psychology (6 credit hrs) ++

The following courses must be completed within the last seven years-no exceptions

Biochemistry (3 credit hrs)
Genetics (3 credit hrs)
Human Anatomy with laboratory (4 credit hrs)*
Human Physiology with laboratory (4 credit hrs)*

*Combined Anatomy and Physiology courses (Anatomy & Physiology I with lab and Anatomy & Physiology II with lab) may be taken provided a minimum of 8 semester hours are completed.

++ Must complete a minimum of 6 semester hours. Recommended psychology courses include Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology.