Physician Assistant Studies Program Reaches Accreditation Milestone

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 30, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s new physician assistant (PA) studies master’s degree program has received accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

The newest graduate program in the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences will seat its first cohort in fall 2025.

“Receiving accreditation for our PA program is transformative milestone and highlights our commitment to addressing critical healthcare needs across our state and nation,” said Catherine Edmonds, Ed.D., interim provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “The program reflects our dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and service — pillars that are central to our Preeminence 2030 strategic plan. We are proud to prepare a new generation of highly skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals who will make a lasting impact in the industry.”

Attaining this position allows North Carolina A&T to matriculate its students and begin the process toward full accreditation or accreditation-continued status.

“This is an extraordinary achievement for North Carolina A&T and the Hairston College,” said Elimelda Moige Ongeri, Ph.D., Hairston College dean. “The PA program exemplifies our commitment to expanding access to high-quality healthcare education, addressing provider shortages, and preparing leaders equipped to serve underserved communities with compassion and excellence.”

Nicole Bailey Burwell, Ph.D., founding department chair and program director, brings more than 20 years of experience in PA education and more than 26 years as a practicing PA in primary care to these roles. Before joining A&T, she served in leadership and faculty roles at The George Washington University, Howard University, and Stanford University. She is nationally recognized for her research and advocacy in workforce diversity, curricular innovation, and inclusive excellence in PA education.

“Earning accreditation-provisional status is a testament to the hard work, shared vision, and unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, and institutional partners,” said Burwell. “We are thrilled to welcome our first class of students this fall and remain deeply committed to producing compassionate, practice-ready clinicians who reflect and serve the communities they represent.”

The Hairston College, A&T’s largest college, is home to the Center of Excellence for Integrative Health Disparities and Equity Research (CIHDER), which aligns with the program’s commitment to health equity and service to underrepresented communities. Students in the PA program will receive instruction in the didactic year at the Union Square Campus, a state-of-the-art medical training facility shared with Cone Health, Guilford Technical Community College and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Clinical education will be in collaboration with multiple healthcare partners in the Triad Region and the state of North Carolina.