Caldwell and Salus University partner on physician assistant graduate program

Caldwell, N.J., July 21, 2021 – Caldwell University has partnered with Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania to establish a new “4+2” articulation agreement that allows Caldwell graduates who earn a bachelor’s degree and complete the Pre-Physician Assistant curriculum to apply for admission into the Salus Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program.

With a shared vision by Caldwell and Salus to train and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals, the partnership was established to give students who successfully complete a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree along with the Pre-Physician Assistant curriculum at Caldwell, while maintaining the PA program’s admissions requirements, a pathway to earn a Master of Medical Science degree in PA Studies at Salus in two years. Under the agreement, undergraduates enrolled in the program will receive mentorship and guidance from a faculty advisor and the Office of Admissions at Salus.

“Caldwell is thrilled to partner with Salus University for the Physician Assistant Studies graduate program. This is a wonderful opportunity for our graduates to make a smooth transition into a master’s PA program,”   said Peter Ubertaccio, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs at Caldwell.   “Given the burdens the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the healthcare sector,  we are especially happy to work with Salus to help our graduates take their next steps towards pursuing a  career in this important and growing profession.”

“Salus University is proud to grow our long-standing partnership with Caldwell University to now include the PA Studies program. This agreement will enable an effective transition from undergraduate programs at Caldwell and better prepare students for graduate school at Salus,” said Monica Scirrotto, MS, director of Admissions at Salus. “The need for PAs in the healthcare setting continues to increase and partnerships like this one make graduate school more attainable, giving students greater opportunities to earn healthcare degrees, which will be extremely important in addressing the overall shortage of healthcare workers and easing the strain COVID-19 placed on the healthcare system.”

The physician assistant profession is one of the fastest growing professions, with the number of jobs expected to increase 31 percent between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and U.S. News and World Report lists the profession among the best jobs of 2021.

Ranked as one of the leading PA programs in the U.S. by Newsweek, the PA Studies program at Salus prepares students to become integral members of today’s healthcare delivery team. The program offers early and extensive clinical training and case-based learning. The second year is dedicated to clinical rotations, providing direct patient care experiences in primary and specialty care settings.

For more information about the agreement contact Caldwell Office of Admissions at admissions@caldwell.edu or caldwell.edu/admissions or the Salus Office of Admissions at 215.780.1305 or visit salus.edu/admissions.

About Caldwell University 
Caldwell University is a four-year, Catholic Dominican university, founded by the Sisters of Saint Dominic located in Caldwell, New Jersey, named one of the most beautiful downtown communities in New Jersey. Caldwell is one of the most affordable private universities in New Jersey  and was named a regional Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report in 2021.  Approximately 2,200 students are enrolled each year, with more than 600 residing in one of three residence halls, many of whom compete on one of Caldwell’s 15 NCAA Division II Athletic teams or in competitive sprint football. The University will be adding a rugby club team in the new academic year.  Caldwell was recently named a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the United States Department of Education. With degrees ranging from the bachelor’s to the Ph.D., Caldwell offers unique programs such as Art Therapy, Esports Management, Nursing, and Applied Behavior Analysis along with more traditional majors and programs in the School of Business and Computer Science, School of Natural Sciences, School of Education, and School of Nursing and Public Health supported by an undergraduate core that emphasizes the liberal arts and sciences to educate citizens to pursue truth and contribute to a just society.  Core values of respect, integrity, community, and excellence define the Caldwell experience. Learn more here: https://www.caldwell.edu/

About Salus University 
Salus University, founded as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1919, today is a diversified, globally recognized professional academic center of learning that offers a wide range of degree programs in the professions of Optometry, Audiology, Physician Assistant, Blindness and Low Vision Studies, Biomedicine, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. Salus operates four clinical facilities in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties that provide highly specialized vision, hearing and balance, and speech-language pathology services. The University has more than 1,200 students, and more than 14,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, please visit www.salus.edu.