Oklahoma Baptist University Physician Associate Program Receives Accreditation-Provisional Status

SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University’s (OBU) Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies program has been granted Accreditation-Provisional status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The action enables OBU to welcome its inaugural cohort of 40 students beginning in January 2027.

Accreditation-Provisional is granted when a proposed program’s plans and resources appear to demonstrate the ability to meet ARC-PA Standards. The designation signals that OBU’s PA program is positioned to prepare graduates for the demands of modern healthcare.

“This accreditation is a significant step forward for OBU and for the students who will train here,” said Christina Hanson, program director for the OBU Physician Associate Program. “Our program prepares students to care for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of patients. We are eager to welcome our first cohort and begin equipping the next generation of compassionate, highly skilled physician associates.”

The MSPAS program is a 24-month, hybrid curriculum totaling 104 credit hours. First-year coursework is delivered remotely through synchronous and asynchronous instruction, with students returning to campus for immersion weeks featuring laboratory training, simulations and workshops led by experienced faculty and clinical experts.

In the second year, students complete clinical rotations across multiple medical specialties, building the judgment required for diverse care settings. Each student is paired with a faculty advisor who provides mentoring, regular advising and individualized coaching across the academic and clinical phases.

The MSPAS program is part of OBU’s expanding graduate healthcare programs that include the Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Applications are accepted through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Learn more at okbu.edu/programs/physician-associate-studies-ms or email physician.associate@okbu.edu.