Gannon University | Physician Assistant

Deliver Quality Health Care with a Physician Assistant Degree from Gannon University

Gannon’s physician assistant program has been educating physician assistants for more than 40 years. Our program faculty are committed to educating and preparing you to become an outstanding health care provider in a meaningful profession. Join our more than 1,300 graduates who work everyday to improve the health and wellness of patients and communities across the nation.

Join 2020 program graduates who had a 100% first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination.

Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

Gannon’s physician assistant program is ranked in the top 50 programs by the U.S. News and World Report.

Learn to Lead the Way

Gain the foundational medical knowledge required for clinical practice through rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences.

Develop the skills needed to deliver high-quality, compassionate health care services to patients.

Become a vital member of a health care team.

Earn a median annual wage of $115,390, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Experience an Exceptional Learning Environment

Learn in our Patient Simulation Center, a clinical-like setting that mimics the way health care professionals collaborate in real time using the protocols you’ll encounter in your career.

Complete eight clinical rotations to apply your classroom learning to real-world experiences.

Interact with standardized patients throughout your fourth and fifth years in the program.

Inspire Your Academic Success

Gain real-world knowledge through key courses including:

Problem-Based Medicine: Learn evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on clinical problem solving through a case study approach.

Pre-Rotation Lecture Series Lab: Practice clinical skills including gowning and gloving, injections, suturing, casting, CPR and ACLS certification and operating room orientation.

Physical Diagnosis III: Perform histories and physical examinations on hospitalized and nursing home patients, learn frequently encountered medical problems, and understand pathophysiology and a methodology to approach any presenting medical concern.

Achieve Your Possibilities

Gannon’s physician assistant program provides you with an array of opportunities to prepare you for a purposeful career. You will:

Receive hands-on professional training through 90 hours of patient interaction experiences in your first four years.

Complete two physical diagnosis laboratories that will include experiences at a local hospital, at a long-term care facility, and with standardized patients on campus.

Participate in a White Coat Ceremony that honors didactic- and clinical-year students.

Student Learning Outcomes

Perform a complete and accurate history and physical examination; identifying abnormal findings and develop an appropriate differential diagnosis.
Develop a plan of evaluation in support of the differential diagnosis, including hematologic, specialized diagnostic imaging and pathologic modalities.
Develop a treatment plan consisting of surgical and medical interventions including non- pharmacologic modalities such as physical therapy, counseling, and patient education through analysis of the clinical and laboratory data.
Accurately relate the clinical data to the other members of the healthcare team, forming a collaborative effort to assure maximal patient benefit through a multiple disciplinary approach.
Show proficiency in performing clinical skills.
Identify characteristics of professional and ethical conduct for the PA profession
Synthesize theory and research in order to provide advanced care to patients.