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
Degree Programs
Find your area of study and read more about what you'll learn as you earn your degree.
Filter Programs By
Areas of Study
Campus
College of Rehabilitative Sciences
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
The DPT is the entry-level degree in physical therapy. It prepares you for clinical practice with a wide range of patients and in varied settings. It also prepares you for advanced roles in research and practice leadership.
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) Online Program
The tDPT program is not currently enrolling new students.
The tDPT is designed for practicing physical therapists who wish to enhance their skills while earning the DPT degree. Advance your studies in clinical practice, research, leadership, and advocacy. The tDPT is not subject to accreditation by CAPTE.
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program
Become an occupational therapy practitioner and help people of all ages overcome physical and cognitive barriers and improve their quality of life. We offer the MOT program in two formats: Residential and Flex.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Choose the OTD program if you want to prepare not only for clinical practice and fieldwork experience, but also for expanded roles in the profession. In the OTD's additional two trimesters beyond the MOT, you will gain research experience with a capstone project.
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship
The Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers practicing physical therapists the opportunity to enhance their manual physical therapy skills through a focused curriculum with advanced clinical and didactic instruction that is intensive and extensive.
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
Earn your MS-SLP degree online in our innovative, immersive program—and empower people to communicate better and gain self-esteem. In our collaborative SLP community, you’ll be mentored by expert clinicians.
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) Program
Still interested in furthering your occupational therapy education? As a current OT practitioner, you can earn your doctorate with the PPOTD online. Advance your skills within clinical practice, research, and more. The PPOTD is not subject to accreditation by ACOTE.
Clinical Orthopedic Residency – OCS Residency
The Clinical Orthopaedic Residency offers physical therapists the opportunity to enhance their clinical skills through post-professional training in examination, evaluation, clinical reasoning, manual therapy skills ...
College of Health Sciences and Administration
Graduate Certificates
Earn graduate-level certifications in health sciences—on an accelerated timeline. Our Graduate Certificates are focused pathways for healthcare leaders and managers to expand their expertise in just two trimesters.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Are you inspired to educate the next generation of healthcare practitioners? Our healthcare-focused EdD program is online with two immersions. Join an interprofessional cohort of peers, choose a specialization, and complete a dissertation.
Master of Health Science (MHS)
The MHS program is not currently enrolling new students.
Join an engaged cohort of diverse healthcare professionals in our MHS program. Choose from four specializations to advance your career in athletic training, health informatics, executive leadership, or healthcare education.
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Are you a catalyst for positive change in your healthcare organization? In our online MHA program, you’ll learn strategies for improving healthcare operations, finance, research, policy, and more. Enhance your credentials and open doors.
School of Nursing
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Add a certificate to your MSN or DNP program to broaden your expertise and achieve your next career goal. We offer certificates in our three role specialties: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Executive.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Advance within a thriving profession. Earn your MSN online at USAHS and expand your role in nursing. Choose a role specialty as a family nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse executive. Acceleration options are available.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Our online DNP program gives working nurses advanced credentials and additional education in systems leadership, healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, and more. You may specialize as a family nurse practitioner or nurse executive.
EdTech Tools
Our leading-edge EdTech tools include 3D printers, anatomage tables, rehabilitation/exercise machines, driving simulators, robotics, and more. You can use these technologies to practice assessing patient progress and creating customized treatment plans.
Learn More
Student Success Focus
Our faculty and staff are focused on helping students succeed. We provide services for academic and personal support, and we plan events for professional networking and career development.
Learn More