An evaluation team of the Higher Learning Commission has recommended the approval of West Liberty University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant studies program, the university announced on Tuesday.

In September, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., had granted provisional accreditation to the physician assistant program sponsored by the university. The ARC-PA establishes and maintains standards of quality for educational programs.

At that point, university officials awaited a site visit by the HLC visitation team and WLU President Robin C. Capehart noted, “If approved by the HLC, the PA program will join our other health science programs, including nursing and dental hygiene, in offering even greater opportunities for students to pursue careers in healthcare fields.”

The evaluation team conducted its review in early December. “If the full commission adopts the evaluation committee’s findings,” Capehart said, “We hope to begin classes in the PA program in July 2012.

“This is the third and final step in the approval of WLU’s program. The first was the Higher Education Policy Commission’s review, then the ARC-PA provisional accreditation. The HLC’s adoption of the visiting team’s evaluation will lead to the commencement of WLU’s PA program in July.”

Allan M. Bedashi is the director of WLU’s PA program. Capehart credited Bedashi and his team “for an outstanding job of preparing this graduate program for launch.”

Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of physician assistants is expected to grow by 39 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Projected rapid job growth reflects the expansion of healthcare industries and an emphasis on cost containment, which results in increasing use of PAs by healthcare establishments.”