Faculty:

• Cathy Bickerton M.S., PA-C
• Crystal Byerly, M.Ed., PA-C
• James France, M.D., Program Director
• Richard Hutchinson, B.S.N., M.P.A.S., PA-C
• Bobbie Leeper, Ph.D.
• Theodore Stem, M.D., Medical Director
• Allison Turgeon, M.P.A.S., PA-C
• Bethany Vargo, M.P.A.S., PA-C

The physician assistant program at Seton Hill University offers a combined undergraduate and graduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in physician assistant. These degrees are awarded concurrently at the completion of all undergraduate and graduate requirements.

Admission criteria for the BS/MS degrees

• Admission is limited to first-time college students
• Have a combined minimum SAT score (Critical Reading + Math) of 1100 if taken prior to March 2016; 1170 if taken March 2016 or later, or ACT Composite score of 24 or better,
• A grade point average of 3.2 or higher in high school science courses

Completed applications will be reviewed, and qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.

Criteria for approval to enter the graduate program

• Completion of the Seton Hill University Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements
• Completion of all prerequisite undergraduate courses listed below; all must have been completed within the last seven years, unless actively enrolled in a similar academic program of studies
• Minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average
• Minimum grade point average of 3.2 in prerequisite undergraduate courses
• Completion of at least 300 hours of health care experience involving direct patient contact and three shadowing experiences of physician assistants in different specialties
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written language
• Evidence of ability to complete intensive program of study and training
• Demonstrated maturity and professional qualities required for the physician assistant program as outlined in the Technical Standards

All candidates for the joint Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in physician assistant must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum and all required undergraduate and graduate courses for the major. There is no stand-alone undergraduate major in physician assistant. Students in the joint program will achieve graduate student status upon completing the following:

• Student must meet all requirements for entry into the graduate program,
• Student must have been enrolled for 8 semesters (counting fall and spring only),
• Student must have earned at least 120 credits posted on her/his Seton Hill transcripts, and
• Student must have completed the Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements.

For the description of the graduate program in physician assistant and a listing of the required graduate courses, Graduate Degree Programs, Physician Assistant .

Students who do not complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree must choose and complete the requirements for another undergraduate major to earn a Bachelor’s degree. This may delay the student’s graduation for a year or more. Graduate curriculum requirements may change as a result of changes in the field or accreditation standards. Students are held to the MS curriculum requirements at the time they matriculate into the graduate portion of the program.