The Shenandoah University Physician Assistant (PA) program is a graduate entry-level professional course of study that prepares graduates for primary-care practice with emphasis on service to medically underserved populations and the team approach to the delivery of health care. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is an interdisciplinary graduate degree in public health that provides coursework opportunities for students to obtain broad knowledge and basic skills in public health. The public health program focuses on rural and underserved populations, providing students with training in public health issues present in rural and undeserved areas. Both programs integrate graduate-level critical thinking and analysis, problem solving, scientific inquiry, self-directed learning and the effective use of modern technology for professional practice that includes elements of research, leadership, education and continued enhancement of the PA and PH professions.

This 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) 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. Students are exposed to the core competencies essential for shaping local and global health systems as physician assistants and policy makers. The dual program affords individuals interested in pursuing clinical and public health training a unique opportunity to complete both degree programs in less time and save money. Students may apply their combined PA and public health skills in such areas as population or clinical research, health administration leadership, and community health promotion.



Program Requirements

The Physician Assistant Program courses listed below may not be taken out of sequence. However, most of the Master of Public Health courses may be taken in any sequence (except for PH 530, PH 700 and PH 701 which have prerequisites). Given the rigor and structure of the PA program, students will complete the MPH coursework, after completion of Year 3/Fall 3 in the PA program. Once the PA coursework is completed, students can continue the MPH coursework on either a full-time or part-time basis. For both programs, a passing grade of “B-” or better in each course and maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average is required for satisfactory progression and graduation. Policies regarding academic standing and graduation are contained in the graduate catalog as well as the Physician Assistant Program and Master of Public Health Student Handbooks.

Credits of Overlap Between Programs

The total credit overlap between the PA and MPH program is up to 11 credits. The courses and requirements that may overlap are illustrated in the below table. The selected overlap is in-line with accreditation standards. 

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the PA program of study, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate entry-level proficiencies necessary for high quality, costeffective practice as a primary care PA in a dynamic health-care delivery system.

2. Apply the principles of scientific inquiry and research design as well as the ability to apply these principles to critically read and interpret the literature, leading to enhanced delivery of health care.

3. Incorporate the basic principles of patient education that benefit patients, caregivers, families, and communities.

4. Model attitudes and skills that reflect sensitivity to cultural and individual differences.

5. Model attitudes and skills that exemplify a commitment to personal growth and development and to the growth and development of the profession.

6. Utilize a team and community-oriented approach to the delivery of health care utilizing appropriate modern technologies for the benefit of patients, caregivers, families, and communities.

7. Demonstrate an ability to assume a leadership role in professional activities and organizations that advance the PA profession.

Upon completion of the MPH program of study, students will be able to:

1. Apply evidence-based approaches for the development and evaluation of social and behavioral health interventions.

2. Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives.

3. Examine patterns of disease and injury in human populations and apply findings to the control of health problems.

4. Evaluate environmental factors that affect the health of a community including biological, physical and chemical factors.

5. Apply statistical reasoning and methods in addressing problems in public health.

6. Design, develop, implement and evaluate strategies to improve individual and community health.

7. Demonstrate effective written and oral skills for communicating with different audiences in the context of professional public health activities.

8. Develop public health programs or strategies that are responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of the communities being served.

9. Model ethical choices, values and professional practices implicit in public health decisions.

10. Demonstrate the attributes of leadership in public health.