The Westfield State University (WSU) Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program is the first public PA program in all of the New England states.
With the tendency for public higher education graduates to remain in the state after graduation, the current health care crisis, and the diversity and affordability associated with public higher education, a public Physician Assistant program in Massachusetts will serve a significant public health care need for the entire state. As well, as a public institution, the University will be able to deliver a program that is more affordable for students.
The WSU PA Program is within the Department of Health Sciences and a part of the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education. The program may be completed in two years. The first year will focus on didactic studies, in which students will complete coursework employing a systems approach and learn a variety of pedagogical techniques. The curriculum is full-time and very demanding. Following the successful completion of coursework, a competency-based course will be offered to assure the readiness of the student to enter clinical rotations. The student will then progress to 12 months of clinical clerkships throughout the region. The clinical clerkships will be in private medical offices, hospitals and medical centers in areas such as primary care, hospital medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WESTFIELD STATE’S PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT [email protected] • (413) 572-8149
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO BECOME A CLINICAL PARTNER, PLEASE CONTACT JENNIFER HIXON [email protected] or LYNN MUTLU [email protected] • (413) 572-8356
The Westfield State University (WSU) mission includes a commitment to foster intellectual curiosity, encourage critical thinking, inspire civic engagement, and promote a global perspective with all of its students. Further, WSU also strives to contribute to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of the region and to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character essential to responsible leadership. The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program is the first public PA program in both Massachusetts and all of the New England states. It has a strong emphasis on academic excellence and diversity, and educates a diverse student body of highly skilled and culturally aware healthcare providers. A patient-centered-care approach and commitment to serving the public are utilized in the program.
