West Liberty University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies has received full approval and accreditation, President Robin C. Capehart announced today. Classes will begin in July.
In September, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., granted provisional accreditation to the program sponsored. The ARC-PA establishes and maintains standards of quality for educational programs. An evaluation team of the Higher Learning Commission recommended approval in December. The final step, approval by the full HLC, was taken on March 22.
“The Physician Assistant program will join our other outstanding health science programs, including nursing and dental hygiene, in offering even greater opportunities for students to pursue careers in healthcare fields,” Capehart said. “This new program adds to WLU’s long history of excellence in science education.”
Robert Kreisberg, dean of the WLU College of Sciences, noted, “This will be the only state-supported physician assistant program in the state of West Virginia.
“We will start accepting applications within the next week and will choose the first class of 18 in June. The first day of class will be on July 2.”
Allan M. Bedashi is the director of WLU’s PA program. Other faculty members include Dr. Howard Shackleford, medical director; Regina Jones; David Blowers; Rebecca Fahey; and Dr. Derrick Latos.
Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. The profession has experienced rapid and substantial job growth in recent years, reflecting the expansion of healthcare industries and an emphasis on cost containment.