Physician Assistant Program Launched

Exciting News

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Southern California University of Health Sciences,

It is my privilege to bring you an exciting and long-awaited announcement.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation – Provisional status to our Master of Science: Physician Assistant program.

The 28-month course of study, which will now be offered by SCU beginning September 2016, adds a focused component to our comprehensive curriculum. This new offering represents a significant step in living out our vision to be recognized as the premier evidence-based integrative healthcare university and speaks to our mission to educate students as competent, caring and successful integrative healthcare practitioners.

Why This Program

As of 2012, approximately half of all adults—117 million people—had one or more chronic health conditions and one in four adults had two or more chronic health conditions.** In today’s rapidly expanding healthcare environment, there is a critical need for Physician Assistants trained in natural, holistic, integrative practices.

Innovative, interprofessional education means truly bringing curricula together so providers across various disciplines will be better prepared to practice as an integrative team.

In our PA program, over 40% of the curriculum includes learning side by side with chiropractic and acupuncture students where they learn from, with and about each other. By educating PA students along with other practitioners in lifestyle/preventive medicine, they will understand and appreciate the value the other integrative professionals bring to patient care.

The MSPA program was strategically selected. Physician Assistants are upfront, triage men and women in the primary care system. Our goal is to prepare graduates to provide the best care and help patients understand natural, holistic approaches.

We are bringing this innovative model to the forefront of integrative healthcare out of a desire for a collaborative, team-based practice. The launch of this MSPA program will help create the healthcare system of the future preparing today’s students for the health system of tomorrow.

Please click here to view the official press release or learn more at SCUHS.edu/PA.