Nazareth announces Physician Assistant master's program and $1.5 million grant to create new high-fidelity simulation lab

Hybrid program for one of the most in-demand careers starts enrolling students this spring for January 2026 start

Rochester, NY (01/16/2025) — Nazareth University is adding professional preparation for one of the most in-demand careers of the next decade to its graduate health and human services programs with a new hybrid Physician Assistant Master of Science (M.S.) degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for physician assistants (PA) is projected to grow 27 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The 24-month master's program uniquely blends online and on-campus learning - one of the few hybrid programs in the U.S. - to offer accessibility for students. Remote and short-term immersive education occurs in the first year, followed by full-time, supervised clinical practice at various sites in Rochester and beyond in year two. Students can apply in spring 2025 for classes that start in January 2026.

A $1.5 million grant awarded from New York State's Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program, along with a portion of the major gift Nazareth received from Rochester philanthropist Tom Golisano in September 2024, will support the renovation and expansion of facilities for clinical education and simulation experiences. A new high-fidelity interprofessional simulation center will allow PA students to engage in realistic patient care scenarios to sharpen clinical decision-making skills. State-of-the-art manikins and wearable simulation technology will provide advanced experience for PA and nursing students. The new spaces include clinical examination rooms, a simulated operating room, and offices for PA faculty and staff.

"Nazareth's hybrid physician assistant program blends online learning with high-impact, hands-on training. Students benefit from cutting-edge online learning tools, high-fidelity simulation, and immersive clinical experiences," said Heather Grotke, program director for the Physician Assistant master's program. "Aligned with our mission to educate highly skilled, compassionate PAs, we emphasize interprofessional collaboration and preparing students to serve diverse communities. We are equipping the next generation of health care providers to thrive and effectively address the needs of patients."

Nazareth's physician assistant program is the newest in the University's College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services, joining physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, speech therapy, art therapy, social work, and public health. A hallmark of Nazareth's allied health programs is comprehensive experiential education where students learn to translate academic knowledge into holistic, person-centered, and evidence-based practice. Nazareth is also known for interprofessional education that prepares graduates to be part of highly effective healthcare teams for the best outcomes for patients and career satisfaction for providers.

For more information: Physician Assistant Master of Science

*Media: Heather Grotke, Physician Assistant program director, is available for in-person interviews on Thursday, Jan. 16 or phone/Zoom on Friday, Jan. 17. Please call Chief PR Officer Julie Long to set up.

Nazareth University has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Nazareth University anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2026, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the September 2025 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Nazareth University

For more information contact: Julie Long, Chief Public Relations Officer | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (c) | jlong2@naz.edu

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