Physician Assistant Studies Department

Studying to be a top physician assistant (PA) is a demanding educational experience that leads to an outstanding career.

Our department offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree in a 28-consecutive month curriculum. Accredited by the ARC-PA, we graduate high quality and compassionate PAs to successfully pass their certification exam to serve their patients and communities with pride.

If you are ready for that challenge and seek to serve others, we welcome your interest. We invite you to schedule an appointment to visit upstate New York and discuss your potential as a Clarkson PA student. Each fall we host an open house for the public to meet potential incoming first year students.

What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs perform a comprehensive range of medical duties, from basic primary care to high-technology specialty procedures. PAs often act as first or second assistants in major surgery and provide pre- and postoperative care.

In some rural areas where physicians are in short supply, PAs serve as the primary providers of health care, conferring with their supervising physicians and other medical professionals as needed and as required by law. PAs can be found in virtually every medical and surgical specialty.

The PA's responsibilities depend on the type of practice, his or her experience, the working relationship with physicians and other health care providers, and state laws. There are approximately 83,600 practicing PAs in the United States. The average salary exceeds $100,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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