Thiel College to Launch Physician Assistant Master’s Program

GREENVILLE, Pa. – Thiel College will launch its graduate-level physician assistant studies program this summer with 40 students.

The first students will begin classes in July, following provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The college will hold provisional accreditation status for five years.

“This fantastic news will have a transformative impact on the College, attracting high-caliber undergraduate and graduate students, advancing Thiel’s commitment to allied health and sciences, and positioning the College to help meet the workforce needs in our region,” said Thiel College President Susan Traverso in a statement. “Thiel’s leadership in producing healthcare professionals reflects strong collaboration between the College and numerous healthcare providers, including Sharon Regional Medical Center and Allegheny Health Network.”

To support the master’s program, Thiel will spend $10 million to upgrade the Rhodehouse Science Building, adding new classrooms, laboratories, a cadaver lab and collaborative learning spaces. The building is used by both the physician assistant program and the graduate-level speech-language pathology program.

“The college began planning this program in August 2018, and this announcement is the result of the work of many dedicated faculty,” said vice president for academic affairs Liz Frombgen. “I am so grateful to everyone who pulled together and help us reach this milestone in the college’s history.”

The physician assistant master’s program is the third graduate degree Thiel College has added in the past two years, along with the speech-language pathology program and the master’s of business administration program.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.