Physician Assistant Studies
Welcome to the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program!
Welcome to the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program! We are so glad that you have come to our website seeking information. We are a new physician assistant program that is located in Orlando, FL. Our beautiful Central Florida region is home to a multitude of activities, art, music, and is a haven for ‘foodies’. Please explore our website to learn more about the program.
Here Are Some Fast Facts About Our Program:
- We are a 27-month program with a 15-month didactic curriculum and a 12-month clinical curriculum.
- Our student cohorts start in the Fall term and graduate in December.
- Our maximum class size is 100 students per year.
- Our program requires successful completion of a total of 166 credits with 88 credits in the didactic curriculum and 78 credits in the clinical curriculum earning students a Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree.
- Our prospective student application is managed through CASPA.
- We are a welcoming community working to increase diversity in our profession and to create a program environment that is accepting and inclusive.
Mission of the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program
The mission of the South College Physician Assistant Studies Program is to educate qualified PA students, preparing them to become competent, compassionate healthcare providers who meet the needs of the communities they serve, with a commitment to community engagement and improving care for underserved populations.
Vision of the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program
Our vision is that our graduates will be leaders in the healthcare community, continuously striving for excellence in their professional endeavors.
Goals of the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program
The program has five primary goals that are designed to achieve our mission for educating the next generation of highly qualified physician assistants.
- Evaluate and select highly qualified applicants for admission into the program.
- Provide students with a rigorous educational curriculum that prepares them for evidence-based clinical decision-making.
- Prepare students to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) at a rate at or above the national average.
- Prepare students to practice patient-centered care.
- Develop a highly effective faculty team that contributes to the success of the program.
Program Competencies of the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program
- Clinical Skills:
- CTS-1: Gather an appropriate medical history.
- CTS-2: Perform an appropriate physical examination.
- CTS-3: Formulate an appropriate diagnostic evaluation following a patient encounter.
- Technical Skills:
- CTS-4: Perform the general skills and procedures of a PA.
• CR-1: Determine the significance of clinical findings.
• CR-2: Determine patient acuity for a given clinical scenario.
• CR-3: Apply evidence-based medicine principles to select the most likely diagnosis.
• CR-4: Prioritize differential diagnoses after a clinical encounter.
• CR-5: Develop an evidence-based, customized treatment plan following a clinical encounter.
• CR-6: Recognize when to refer patients to other disciplines.
- ICS-1: Apply effective communication to support information exchange.
- ICS-2: Provide accurate and adequate documentation following a clinical encounter.
- ICS-3: Communicate with other health professionals to provide team-based care.
• MK-1: Understand how anatomical and physiological processes apply to states of health and disease.
• MK-2: Identify normal and abnormal states of health based on clinical presentation.
• MK-3: Demonstrate understanding of age-specific considerations in health and disease management.
• MK-4: Understand the risks and benefits of common pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies.
• MK-5: Identify current and credible sources of medical information.
• MK-6: Explain public health principles and strategies for disease prevention and health promotion.
- PB-1: Adhere to standards of care in the role of the PA in the healthcare team.
- PB-2: Integrate individual patient specific factors into clinical decision making.
ARC-PA Accreditation Status
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program sponsored by South College.
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.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Accreditation-History-South-Coll-Orlando.pdf.
South College Institutional Accreditation
South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels. Questions about the accreditation of South College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (sacscoc.org).