Transforming Healthcare Through Innovative Education
Core Values
Promoting Excellence in education that extends learning beyond the classroom, develops research skills, and results in high-quality patient care
Cultivating Leadership through professional values and engagement in the healthcare system
Sparking Curiosity that fosters the skills needed to meet the demands of the evolving healthcare landscape
Supporting Advocacy that empowers those in need
Integrating Service into actions for the betterment of our communities
Upholding Respect for the rights, dignity, well-being, and integrity of all individuals
Degree in Physician Assistant Studies
The Physician Assistant (PA) Program is an accredited, eight-semester, 30-month, graduate-level program leading to a Master of Science in physician assistant studies.
U.S. News & World Report ranks the Shenandoah University PA Program in the top 20 in the nation and #1 in Virginia.
The admission information provides both potential and matriculated student with details about the educational program leading to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. It should be viewed as an adjunct to Shenandoah University’s Graduate Catalog and the Shenandoah University Physician Assistant Program Student Handbook, which contain specific information regarding the university and related policies.
Our accomplished and caring faculty serve as mentors beyond the classroom. As a team, they prepare you to serve as a compassionate physician assistant, critical thinker and ethical leader. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that enable faculty members to provide individualized attention and nurture your academic and professional development.
GEL Switzerland 2016 represented a course change for me in my life and career, and I found attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) 69 particularly humbling. I learned a great deal about how global health leaders interact and the processes that govern change. I had so many meaningful experiences in this trip that allowed me to not only network with global health leaders, but also those individuals on the forefront who are making the changes discussed at the highest levels on the international stage. At the conclusion of the trip, the strongest take-away for me was that education, preventative health, secure systems, government support, and funding are the keys to success in global health initiatives. It is essential to be proactive rather than reactive. As the message spreads, the hope is that public health will become a natural part of daily governance rather than an afterthought. It felt like a lot of progress was made this year, and it was an unforgettable honor to be invited to attend history in the making.”
— Judith Pascarella | PA-C ’17
SUPA International Opportunities
Shenandoah University educates and inspires individuals to be compassionate citizens who are committed to making responsible contributions within a community, a nation and the world. Learn more about how you can become a global citizen at SU.
Medical Mission Trips
Physician Assistant Students have the opportunity to explore the world and experience health care in other countries through Medical Mission Trips to countries such as Nicaragua,Ghana & Panama.
Global Citizenship Project
Explore the world as you travel to one of five secret destinations around the globe during an all-expenses-paid Global Citizenship Project trip during spring break.
Our Winchester, VA location is on the campus of the Winchester Medical Center, a 445-bed regional referral hospital, which is part of Valley Health System. Winchester is located in the northern Shenandoah Valley, an area that offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking and camping at the nearby Shenandoah National Park.
The Cecil Pruitt Jr. Health & Life Sciences Building on Winchester’s main campus, provides a state-of-the-art facility for health care education – replete with active-learning classrooms, study and meeting spaces and lounges. It houses SU’s School of Health Professions 2,000 square-foot, 16-table cadaver lab; a nursing skills lab and simulation suite.
Our Loudoun location is on the campus of Loudoun Hospital, a 183-bed nationally recognized hospital which is part of the Inova Health System. Leesburg is part of the Northern Virginia metropolitan area; an area that offers access to the Dulles International Airport, Potomac River, restaurants, shopping and is 40 minutes northwest of Washington, DC.
The Physician Assistant Studies & Master Of Public Health Dual Degree Program offers students an opportunity to earn a Master Of Public Health Degree (MPH) in conjunction with training in the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program.
The purpose of the dual Physician Assistant/Master of Public Health program is to graduate highly qualified health professionals who have obtained competencies necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving health system. The dual program prepares students to enter a wide range of PA and public health positions that address today’s most challenging population health care issues.
Shenandoah University’s Division of Physician Assistant Studies is an official supporter of education research at the PA History Society which preserves and promotes the rich history and legacy of the Physician Assistant profession.
