James Madison University in Harrisonburg offers a master's physician assistant studies degree program. Classes in the program cover topics such as pathophysiology and physical diagnosis. Students also study the clinical prescribing of medications, the management of medical information and clinical laboratory medicine. In addition, students must complete clinical rotations in internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery and family medicine. Before entering the program, students have to complete prerequisite courses such as human physiology and anatomy, biochemistry and genetics. The physician assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). James Madison University was founded in 1908.
James Madison University
Physician Assistant Program
Department of Health Sciences
801 Carrier Drive, MSC 4301
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540-568-2395
jmu.edu
Jefferson College in Roanoke offers a master's degree physician assistant program that trains students in primary care medicine. The program features both classroom instruction and clinical experiences and is affiliated with Carilion Medical Center, the largest hospital-clinic network in southwest Virginia. Students study behavioral medicine, disease prevention and community health promotion over a period of 27 months. Their clinical rotations typically require a commitment of more than 40 hours a week. Students can have a bachelor's degree of any discipline to get into the program but must complete several science prerequisite courses and have at least 500 hours of health care experience. Program graduates can take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. The physician assistant program is accredited by the ARC-PA. Jefferson College of Health Sciences was founded in 1982.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
920 S. Jefferson St.
Roanoke, VA 24016
888-985-8483
jchs.edu
Shenandoah University in Winchester offers a master's degree program in physician assistant studies that takes 27 months to complete. The program teaches students about current professional issues in the physician assistant field, epidemiology, the principles of interviewing patients and diagnostic/therapeutic skills. In addition, students complete practicums in areas such as obstetrics and gynecology and also complete a scholarly project related to their professional goals. Students who show a commitment to perform primary care work in rural or other communities that lack medical attention receive greater attention when applying for enrollment in the program. The physician assistant program is accredited by the ARC-PA. Shenandoah University was founded in 1875.
Shenandoah University
1460 University Drive
Winchester, VA 22601
800-432-2266
su.edu