Overview

The Physician Associate Studies programme at Sacred Heart University provides comprehensive medical training designed to prepare graduates for collaborative roles in modern healthcare teams. This rigorous curriculum focuses on patient-centric care, primary care, and population health to ensure students develop the clinical acumen necessary for professional practice.

The course is structured into two distinct phases to balance theoretical knowledge with practical application. During the initial 15-month didactic period, students engage in intensive classroom and laboratory learning. This is followed by a 12-month clinical phase consisting of five-week rotations across various medical specialities, totalling 1,600 hours of supervised experience.

Why Physician Associate Studies at Sacred Heart University?

Sacred Heart University is home to a top-ranked programme, recognised as the second-best of its kind in Connecticut by U.S. News & Report. The institution offers access to state-of-the-art technology, including high-fidelity cardiopulmonary patient simulators and 3D anatomy simulation tables. These facilities allow students to self-assess and refine their skills in a safe, controlled setting.

The programme maintains strong partnerships with various affiliated clinical sites, including Stamford Hospital, where students work alongside world-class physicians and healthcare professionals. Distinctive teaching features include interprofessional simulation exercises that bring together students from multiple health disciplines. This collaborative approach mirrors the real-world healthcare environment and fosters essential teamwork skills.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 14500 per semester
National fee: USD 14500 per semester
Local fee: USD 14790 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to meet the competencies defined by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Modules may include:

Primary Care
Professional Practice
Population Health and Wellness
Internal Medicine
General Surgery
Pediatrics
Family Medicine
Orthopedics
Women’s Health
Emergency Medicine
Behavioral Health

Careers with Physician Associate Studies

Graduates are prepared to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination to become certified physician associates. This qualification enables them to work in collaboration with licensed physicians across all fifty states. The career outlook is exceptionally strong, with significant projected growth in the healthcare sector over the coming decade.

Common employment settings for graduates include hospitals, private physician offices, and rural or urban community health centres. Alumni also find opportunities in nursing homes, retail clinics, and industrial settings. Some graduates pursue specialised roles in surgical subspecialties, emergency departments, or federal government agencies and the military.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Medical Science

Mental/Behavioral Health

Principles of Medicine

Patient Assessment & Clinical Reasoning

Diagnostic medicine

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 27 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-15 00:00:00 , International

More details

To apply, all applicants must use the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

123 SCH

Didactic Year | 72 Credits

Clinical Phase | 51 Credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Fairfield, United States

Disciplines

Nursing Health Sciences View 1101 other Masters in Health Sciences in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Three letters of reference, including at least one letter from a work supervisor.

Personal Statement (on CASPA)

Official College Transcripts (sent to CASPA)

Supplemental SHU Essay Questions completion (on CASPA)

Successful interview, by invitation only.

Must meet all SHU MPAS Program Technical Standards

Completion of criminal background check is required prior to starting the PA program.

Completion of required SHU MSPAS Health & Immunization clearance.

If selected to join SHU's PA Program, a candidate is required to provide proof of paid patient care hours to Graduate Admissions.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

29000 USD / year

≈ 29000 USD / year
Out-of-State

29000 USD / year

≈ 29000 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

29580 USD / year

≈ 29580 USD / year

Additional Details

per trimester

Living costs

Fairfield

United States

1736 - 2740 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Physician Associate Studies.

Available Scholarships

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About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Fairfield

Financing

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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