Dual Degree BS-MSPAS
Pre-Physician Assistant Studies preparation is a four-year course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree and the completion of required Sacred Heart University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies prerequisite courses. Pre-Physician Assistant is not an undergraduate major at Sacred Heart University. Students will choose to earn a baccalaureate degree in either Biology, Health Science, Exercise Science or Neuroscience. Qualified applicants for full-time freshman admission may be admitted into the dual degree program leading to a BS and an MSPAS degree in 4 years and 27 months. Students will progress to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program upon completion of the bachelor's degree provided they continue to meet the program criteria as they progress through their undergraduate studies.
Program Location:
The graduate program is located at the Tandet Center at Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT
Criteria to Progress to MSPAS Program:
Students in the Dual Degree BS-MSPAS Program must complete a criminal background check, maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA (term, overall, science and prerequisite courses), and develop professional and inter-professional skills through advisement sessions. Additionally, they must submit a letter of recommendation from a medical supervisor during their senior year. Students on academic or professional probation may not matriculate into the MSPAS program. Please review the BS-MSPAS Student Policy and Procedure Manual for full requirements and procedures.
Stuents who fail to meet the criteria to progress into the MSPAS program from the undergraduate program may apply to the program via the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) after completing all required prerequisites. See MSPAS admission requirements.
For additional details regarding SHU’s MSPAS program, please refer to the Sacred Heart University Graduate Catalog or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Plans of Study
Students must work with their academic advisor and the Pre-Health advisor to complete their plans of study. Students may not transfer into the dual degree PA program. Students must be admitted in the Fall of their freshman year. Please review the BS-MSPAS Student Policy and Procedure Manual for full requirements and procedures.
Faculty & Staff
Program Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Sacred Heart University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Sacred Heart 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 March 2031. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed at the www.arc-pa.org.
For updated program information, please visit http://www.sacredheart.edu/academics/collegeofhealthprofessions/academicprograms/physicianassistant