The Duquesne University Department of Physician Assistant is a leader in PA education. As the first five-year, entry-level Master's program in the nation, Duquesne University has become a model for other programs. Currently over half of PA programs in the country award a Master's degree. Of the Master's programs in existence, only a few offer an “entry level” Masters program. "Entry level" students enter Duquesne University as a freshman, and upon completion of the five year curriculum, earn both a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and a Master of Physician Assistant degree. The other programs that offer a Master's degree traditionally require 2 or more years after completion of a 4 year undergraduate program -- a total of 6 years (or more) of higher education as opposed to 5 years with the Duquesne University program. This is one of the strengths and advantages of the Duquesne PA University Program.

Students enter Duquesne University as freshmen, and complete a rigorous 3-year pre-professional curriculum comprised of core curriculum requirements and pre-requisites for the professional phase. Pre-requisite courses provide the strong science background necessary for academic success as a professional phase students. During the first three years, pre-professional phase students meet with PA program faculty and have numerous opportunities to learn more about the Program and the PA profession.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for the pre-professional phase, students then advance into the professional phase of the curriculum.