What is a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistants are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine under physician supervision. Physician assistants evaluate patients, perform physical examinations, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in surgery and write prescriptions. As a graduate of Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Program, you’ll be prepared to serve as an effective team member in a wide variety of healthcare settings.

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Why Choose Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program?

• Collectively, Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program faculty members have more than 120 years of clinical practice experience.
• 94% of Seton Hill's Physician Assistant Program graduates who have taken the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in the past five years have passed it on their first attempt. Pass Rate Summary Report (PDF).
• 99% of Seton Hill Physician Assistant Graduates have passed the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE).
• Students entering the program as freshmen can earn their B.S. and their M.S. in only five years.
• Top-notch classroom, lab and clinical learning facilities and resources in the Boyle Health Sciences Center.
• Small classes allow students to work directly with faculty members in a supportive environment.
• Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Student Society provides both undergraduate and graduate students in the Physician Assistant Program with opportunities for community service and attendance at statewide conferences.

Seton Hill's Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Physician Assistant

As an incoming Seton Hill freshman, this combined program gives you the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in only five years. You would complete math, science and behavioral science course prerequisites, along with the core liberal arts degree requirements, in your first two and a half years of study. You would then enter the graduate phase of the program, consisting of 15 months of intensive coursework followed by 12 months of full-time supervised clinical experiences (rotations). The degree of Bachelor in Medical Studies will be conferred after completion of the Spring II semester of the graduate portion of the program. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant will be conferred after successful completion of the graduate portion of the program.

Your Career as a Physician Assistant

The job outlook for physician assistants is strong, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects it to grow much faster than the average. In 2020, physician assistants earned an average of $115,390 per year. The job growth outlook for the Physician Assistant profession is projected to be 31% higher than other careers for the period of 2022-2032.

Career Services for Life

Seton Hill’s award-winning Career and Professional Development Center will work with your faculty advisors to provide you with the career preparation skills and placement services you need. Should you ever need them after you graduate, the Center’s services will remain available to you as a Seton Hill alumni.

Accreditation Status of the Program

 At its March 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Seton Hill University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2026.

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into 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 in a timely manner, 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 here (PDF).

The School of Natural & Health Sciences and Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Program are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). In every academic program, all of us at Seton Hill are dedicated to making students fit for the world in which they'll live by preparing them with the highest quality education.

FAQs About Accreditation

If I’m a current student in the Seton Hill University PA Program (Class of 2024 or Class of 2025), 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 joined the Seton Hill University PA program in January of 2024 (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. 

What happens if in March 2026 Seton Hill University PA does not come off probation? Will I still graduate and be able to take the PANCE?

Yes. Seton Hill University PA has the full support of the University and School of Natural Health and Sciences and intends to remain accredited, without probation, in March 2026. 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 Seton Hill University 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 to make sure that we are doing things in alignment with expectations of the ARC-PA.  Specific to Seton Hill University, citations received largely concerned the structure of Learning outcomes and instructional objectives in measurable terms for each didactic and clinical course that would guide student acquisition of the required competencies. 

Additionally, the accreditation commission requires a more robust assessment of student outcomes and the effectiveness of administrative processes. This effort is also already underway, as the program has begun working with an external consultant to improve its assessment processes and its evaluation of how students meet the learning outcomes of the program and thus become ready for clinical practice.  

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. Seton Hill University PA maintains strong relationships with its clinical partners and preceptors who provide excellent training. Seton Hill University PA has maintained excellent job placement at 6 months of graduation based on the graduate survey data for over 10+ years. The program is committed to supporting its students by providing high-quality clinical rotations and facilitating job placement.

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

Yes. PA licensure requirements vary by state requirements, but most states are congruent on graduating from an accredited program. For example, Pennsylvania 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 accredited.

Is Seton Hill University accredited overall?

Yes. Seton Hill University is accredited by the Middle States Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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