Northeast College of Health Sciences has received accreditation for its new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, clearing the way for the first class of students to begin coursework this fall at the college’s Seneca Falls campus.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the program on May 22, a key milestone that allows the college to move forward with enrollment for its inaugural cohort beginning in September.
College officials said the new program represents a significant expansion of Northeast’s healthcare education offerings. The six-trimester, 24-month hybrid degree combines online coursework with in-person instruction and clinical training. Students will begin their studies on the Seneca Falls campus before transitioning to online learning and supervised clinical rotations in a variety of healthcare settings.
Applications for the first cohort remain open through Aug. 1.
The physician assistant profession continues to see strong demand nationwide. According to federal labor projections, employment in the field is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, while U.S. News & World Report recently ranked physician assistant among the nation’s top jobs.
Dr. Scott Richards, director of the physician assistant program, said the college has expanded its educational offerings in recent years to establish a broader presence in clinical medicine and believes the institution is well-positioned to support the program’s success.
Under the accreditation process for new physician assistant programs, graduates of provisionally accredited programs are eligible to sit for national certification examinations and pursue state licensure. The accreditation does not guarantee future accreditation status and is limited to a maximum of five years from the enrollment of the first class.
The program is also awaiting approval from the New York State Education Department.
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