MUSC’s physician assistant program makes significant jump in U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings

CHARLESTON, S.C. (April 15, 2025)- The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Health Professions (CHP) made a significant improvement in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings. The physician assistant (PA) program tied at No. 35 out of 206 in the nation – up 15 spots from its previous position of No. 50. 

“Our program has made a significant jump in rankings since 2023,” said Clint C. Blankenship, Pharm.D., PA-C, interim division director for the Division of Physician Assistant Studies. “The move from 50 to 35 truly reflects our commitment to excellence in education, clinical training and innovation in PA preparation. I want to thank our dedicated students, staff, faculty and clinical partners for their hard work in advancing our program’s mission.”

U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked several of CHP’s programs across multiple disciplines among the highest in the nation. 

“Our faculty, staff and students are doing outstanding work, and these latest rankings are a testament to that. It is incredible to see that our reputation as a premier institution is strong and that the impact we’re having in South Carolina and beyond is being noticed,” said Zoher Kapasi, PT, Ph.D., College of Health Professions dean.

The CHP programs recognized for their outstanding curricula and faculty are included in the following national rankings:

• No. 15: Nursing-Anesthesia.
• No. 15: Occupational Therapy.  
• No.16: Health Care Management. 
• No. 22: Physical Therapy.  
• No. 35: Physician Assistant Studies.

Notably, the Master of Health Administration program moved up three spots from No. 19 to No. 16. All CHP programs recognized in the report placed in the top 20% nationally.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings methodology for Best Health Schools is based on peer assessment surveys that measure academic quality, which are sent to deans, administrators and faculty at fully accredited PA programs in good standing across the U.S.

To learn more about the college’s nationally ranked programs, visit chp.musc.edu. 

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About MUSC 

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.