Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid (MS)

At Pitt, the Physician Assistant Hybrid (PAS-Hybrid) program prepares the next generation of providers willing to push the envelope and adapt to industry changes.

The PAS-Hybrid curriculum is consistent with the following competencies and program learning outcomes, which were adapted from the Core Competencies for New Physician Assistant Graduates established by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).

Graduate Performance on the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam® (PANCE)

Once available, the results of the most current annual NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report (Last 5 Years) for all takers and first-time takers provided by the NCCPA.

5-Year PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report – View PDF

Student Attrition and Graduation Rates

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.
**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

NOTE: Entering class size is the number of students newly enrolled for the admission cycle PLUS number of students who are reentering from a different cohort. Attrition includes students who voluntarily withdraw from the program; are dismissed for academic or professionalism reasons; take a personal or medical leave of absence; or who require additional time to complete the program of study.
Regarding the students who attritted from the Class of 2024 cohort, seven of the eight have rejoined a future cohort and are on track to complete the program within the University of Pittsburgh’s statute of limitations for professional programs awarding the Master of Science degree.

Program Competencies and Program Learning Outcomes

As outcomes of the program, PAS-Hybrid graduates will have demonstrated their ability to:

Clinical and Technical Skills

• CTS1: Perform essential procedural and clinical skills required for PA practice.
• CTS2: Conduct a focused, patient-centered history and physical examination relevant to the presenting complaint.
• CTS3: Educate and counsel patients effectively using shared decision-making principles.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving

• CRPS1: Synthesize information from all aspects of the patient encounter to formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis for acute and chronic conditions.
• CRPS2: Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies appropriately.
• CRPS3: Develop evidence-based, patient-centered treatment plans.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• ICS1: Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, families and the health care team.
• ICS2: Coordinate care to optimize the health of individual patients and populations.
• ICS3: Demonstrate the ability to write appropriate medical documentation with clarity, accuracy and completeness.

Medical Knowledge

• MK1: Demonstrate an understanding of common disease processes, integrating clinical, laboratory, radiologic and epidemiologic data.
• MK2: Apply foundational medical knowledge to diagnose, manage and prevent disease.
• MK3: Implement pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions tailored to individual patient needs.

Professionalism and Ethical Practice

• PEP1: Deliver patient-centered care while respecting confidentiality, autonomy and dignity.
• PEP2: Demonstrate compassion, respect, and awareness of socioeconomic, environmental, physiological, and other population-level determinants affecting the health of the individual and community being served.
• PEP3: Demonstrate compassion, respect, and awareness of health disparities involving race or ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status and geographic location involving the individual patient and the community being served.
• PEP4: Demonstrate professionalism and respect in interactions with patients, peers, faculty and health care team members.

A Career Path That Moves Health Care Forward

Certified physician assistants are in demand, and the need for qualified care team members is expected to grow.

Job openings for physician assistants are projected to grow over 30% by 2029, much faster than the average industry (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Graduates of our program who become Certified Physician Assistants can work in any of the following settings and have the flexibility to move between areas:

Hybrid Program and State Licensure Preparation Information

Updated July 1, 2024

The University of Pittsburgh has determined that the curriculum of the Physician Assistant Studies Hybrid Program meets the requirements for licensure or certification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all the U.S. territories listed below (in accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) and 34 CFR 668.43(c)).

​Students should review all requirements for licensure specific to the state where they will practice. Non-curricular licensure requirements vary by state and are updated by each state’s licensing board.