At Towson University, we're training the next generation of physician assistants -
one of the fastest-growing professions - through one of the nation’s most established
master’s programs of its kind.
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The Physician Assistant Studies master’s program is part of the Department of Physician
Assistant Studies.
Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies?
Many factors contribute to a growing need for more licensed health care providers
to treat patients. Physician Assistants (Associates) are highly skilled health care
providers and are one of the fastest-growing professions in this country with continued
high demand for PA graduates. PA program admissions and matriculation and the PA job
market are all highly competitive.
Our program is the first established in the State of Maryland and one of the older
programs in the USA. We have evolved as the profession has matured and are now exclusively
housed here at Towson University, College of Health Professions.
The Physician Assistant Studies Program revised its Mission, Vision and Goals as of
November 4th, 2021. Outcomes from the prior 2019-2020 goals included integrating interprofessional
educational experiences into the PA curriculum. Information on our success in meeting program goals can be found HERE
.
Mission
Our PA Program educates and empowers resilient graduates to practice collaborative,
evidence-based medicine in the ever-changing and diverse health care environment.
Vision
Our PA Program is renowned for excellence in PA education, leadership, and innovative
approaches to interprofessional practice.
Values
Our PA Program values are:
cultural humility
collegiality
integrity
interprofessionalism
life-long learning
leadership
Goals
Goal 1: This program goal is currently being re-evaluated and will be available for review
by March 30, 2026.
Goal 2: This program goal is currently being re-evaluated and will be available for review
by March 30, 2026.
Goal 3:This program goal is currently being re-evaluated and will be available for review
by March 30, 2026.
Goal 4: This program goal is currently being re-evaluated and will be available for review
by March 30, 2026.
Program Competencies
Our program trains professionals in:
Medical Knowledge (MK)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.01, B2.02, B2.03, B2.04
MK 1: Demonstrate knowledge of biomedical, clinical, epidemiologic, and social-behavioral
sciences required for patient care across the lifespan.
MK 2: Apply knowledge of disease mechanisms, pathophysiology, and evidence-based clinical
guidelines to patient evaluation and management.
MK 3: Integrate behavioral, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants of
health into diagnostic and treatment decisions, with emphasis on rural and medically
underserved communities.
Interpersonal Skills & Communication (IPS)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.05, B2.07, B2.09
IPS 1: Elicit an accurate, patient-centered medical history using culturally responsive
and trauma-informed communication.
IPS 2: Perform and document a complete and focused physical examination that reflects the
needs of the clinical encounter.
IPS 3: Communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and health professionals
using verbal, nonverbal, written, and technology-based communication modalities.
IPS 4: Deliver patient education that is understandable, accessible, and tailored to patients'
health literacy levels.
IPS 5: Present clinical encounters clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
IPS 6: Conduct safe and effective patient handovers using structured communication frameworks.
Clinical Problem Solving & Patient Care (CPS)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.05, B2.06, B2.08, B2.11
CPS 1: Formulate a prioritized differential diagnosis based on clinical findings.
CPS 2: Recommend and interpret diagnostic studies using evidence-based and cost-conscious
principles.
CPS 3: Develop and implement patient-centered management plans, including pharmacologic,
non-pharmacologic, and preventive strategies.
CPS 4: Recognize patients requiring urgent or emergent care and initiate appropriate stabilization
and management.
CPS 5: Demonstrate clinical reasoning in uncertain, ambiguous, or evolving clinical situations.
CPS 6: Integrate shared decision-making, patient values, and current scientific evidence
into clinical judgment.
CPS 7: Identify system failures, report concerns, and contribute to continuous quality improvement
and patient safety initiatives.
Technical & Procedural Skills (TS)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.10, B2.11
TS 1: Obtain informed consent demonstrating respect for autonomy, legal principles, and
patient understanding.
TS 2: Perform the following program-required procedures safely and effectively:
peripheral intravenous access
perform common therapeutic and diagnostic injections safely and effectively
simple laceration repair (including wound care and local anesthesia)
urinary catheterization
pelvic speculum examination with specimen collection
splinting
incision and drainage of superficial abscess
shave and punch biopsy
TS 3: Demonstrate sterile technique, infection control practices, and procedural safety.
Professionalism & Legal/ Ethical Practice (PROF)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.09, B2.11
PROF 1: Demonstrate honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, and accountability in all professional
activities.
PROF 2: Show respect and responsiveness to diverse patient populations, colleagues, and health
professionals.
PROF 3: Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and adhere to legal and regulatory requirements
governing PA practice.
PROF 4: Engage in self-assessment, reflection, and lifelong learning to improve clinical
performance and professional growth.
PROF 5: Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and responsibility in meeting academic, clinical,
and professional obligations.
Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.07, B2.09
IPC 1: Work effectively within interprofessional teams to deliver safe, coordinated, and
patient-centered care.
IPC 2: Use team-based communication strategies to foster mutual respect, shared problem-solving,
and conflict resolution.
Society & Population Health (SPH)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.03, B2.04, B2.09
SPH 1: Assess social determinants of health and their influence on health outcomes.
SPH 2: Implement prevention and health promotion strategies for individuals and communities.
SPH 3: Demonstrate advocacy for rural and medically underserved populations.
Systems-Based Practice (SBP)
ARC-PA Alignment: B2.06, B2.08, B2.11
SBP 1: Navigate healthcare delivery systems to optimize patient care and resource utilization.
SBP 2: Apply principles of patient safety, risk reduction, and quality improvement.
SBP 3: Recognize and address barriers to care, including cost, access, health literacy,
and system-level inequities.
Tuition, Fees, Credit and Program Length
Length
26 months, 98 credits
Full-time, continuous enrollment is required
Tuition and Fees
Full-time, continuous enrollment is required throughout the 98-credit, 26-month program.
In-State Tuition: $506-$531 per unit
Out-of-State Tuition: $1,047-$1,099 per unit
$2,200 program education and testing fee (non-refundable)
$900 program enrollment deposit (non-refundable; applied toward tuition)
Applicants must first apply throughCASPA. The CASPA verification deadline is August 1. Please allow sufficient time for verification as it can take up to 4-weeks from
the date of submission.
If extended an invitation for an interview, complete the Towson application by the
given deadline.
International graduate students may have additional admission and application requirements.
Please review our Admission and Requirements Deadlines for more information.
Additional Application Information
The application for summer 2027 will open on April 23, 2026. All applicants must be verified in CASPA by August 1.
Please allow sufficient time for verification as it can take up to 4-weeks from the
date of submission.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Towson University Department of Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Towson 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 October 2033. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
Individuals who successfully complete the program are eligible for certification by
the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Graduates
of the program have consistently scored well on the Physician Assistant National Certifying
Examination (PANCE), and have achieved a 100% first time pass rate for the class of
2020, surpassing the national exam pass rate average.
Towson University has been named the best public university in Maryland and the No. 15 public university in the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. The publication’s 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings heavily featured TU for
its record of inclusive student success.
A Strong Alumni Network
Join a strong network of successful alumni around the country. More than 1,000 program
graduates are employed in a wide variety of medical settings in regional, national
and international locations.
A History of Success
The oldest and most established program in Maryland, the physician assistant program
began in 1972 as a cooperative effort with the Johns Hopkins University and Franklin
Square Hospital. The program has undergone a dynamic evolution in its 50-year history.
A Vital Role
Make a direct impact on patients and their families. Working as part of the medical
team, physician assistants practice medicine by performing patient histories and physical
examination, ordering or performing laboratory tests, and analyzing medical data to
formulate diagnoses and develop care management plans.
