Objectives

Drawing upon the outstanding academic resources of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at St. John's, the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Physician Assistant prepares students for success in this growing field. By the time they graduate, students will achieve the following:

  • Mastery of the scientific and medical knowledge, as well as the rigorous clinical experience, needed for a career in clinical care.
     
  • Effective problem solving and critical reasoning skills in order to foster the development of positive attitudes, values and appropriate behavior.
     
  • Caring and competence needed to provide compassionate, effective health care to patients of all ages and ethnicities.
     
  • Knowledge of diagnosing illnesses and medications needed to treat those conditions. 

When they graduate, students in the program are awarded a professional certificate along with their Bachelor of Science degree. Students who already possess a bachelor's degree may enroll in the two-year Physician Assistant Certificate Program. (See our Admission section.)

Graduates are eligible to take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA)-administered Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) exam.