Housed within the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and tied closely with the School of Public Health and Health Services, the Department of Physician Assistant Studies builds strong primary care and public health foundations among its students. With proximity to the United States Congress, the White House, and many major medical professional organizations, the Department provides a truly unique opportunity to participate in the democratic process and to see its affect on health care delivery in this country.

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies currently offers educational programs that culminate in the Master of Science in Health Sciences (the "PA" degree) and plans to expand its current offerings of dual degrees, develop and implement physician assistant post-graduate programs, and build a research institute focused on the PA profession. In July 2011, GW's Physician Assistant Program was elevated to department status — a true testament to its continued academic strength and contribution to the mission of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Programs

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers two graduate level degree programs: the traditional two-year PA program and a dual three-year program that links PA and public health curricula.