Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are advanced healthcare practitioners with similar responsibilities, such as diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medications. However, their training and paths toward certification differ in significant ways. This blog post unpacks the key differences between NPs and PAs to help you determine which career path best aligns with your goals. What Is a Nurse Practitioner? A nurse practitioner (NP) is a licensed clinician who provides comprehensive healthcare to patients of all ages. An NP can work in virtually any healthcare setting, diagnosing patient conditions and prescribing medications. As of October 2022, nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 27 states, meaning that they can practice Read more
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovative, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.
About the University
The University has five campuses in St. Augustine and Miami in Florida; Austin and Dallas in Texas; and San Marcos, California. Our entry-level, first-professional degree offerings include: Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Master of Occupational Therapy Degree (MOT), the Flexible (Flex) Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT), the Flexible (Flex) Master of Occupational Therapy Degree (MOT), and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP). The University also offers graduate post-professional education including the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Health Science (MHS), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree (PPOTD), the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (tDPT), the Doctor of Education (EdD), the Doctor of Health Science (DHSc), and Continuing Education Seminars and Certifications for currently licensed therapists.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and maintains programmatic accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Learn more about the University’s institutional and programmatic accreditation.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) completed a rigorous assessment by B Lab®, an independent non-profit organization that serves as a global movement of people using business as a force for good, and became a Certified B Corporation®.
Diversity and Inclusion
At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, we celebrate the diversity of our community—with students, faculty and staff of all races and ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, sizes and abilities. We’re proud to graduate healthcare practitioners who are prepared to serve patients and families across a wide range of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Committee facilitates policies, guidelines, initiatives and programs that cultivate a sense of belonging for all members of our university community.
About B Corp
B Corps are companies certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Learn more.
