For Veterans

Welcome, veteran applicants! CBU is a Yellow Ribbon university.

The first physician assistants were veterans, and CBU's founding M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program director, Dr. Allan Bedashi, DHSc, PA-Emeritus, is also a veteran.

You can find information about CBU veteran support here: Veterans Resources

CBU Veteran MSPAS Alumni Q&A

One of our veteran alumni, Jonathan Moran, PA-C, MSPAS, Class of 22, is completing a selective PA fellowship in emergency medicine and shared his thoughts on why he chose CBU:

Why did you choose your graduate degree program? What interested you in this field of study?

My time in the military is where I found my passion and curiosity for medicine. My work and time in the military grew my interest and is ultimately the reason I got into the world of medical care.

What did you like about being in the PA program at CBU?

One thing I’d like to point out is that the program is very demanding. It requires hours of work, studying, test taking and multitasking to feel almost “comfortable” that you may have a handle on things. Now with the program becoming much of your life, it requires a good and knowledgeable faculty and staff to help and guide you through these moments. So, for me, the one thing that stands out is the faculty and staff that meticulously helped us in every way they could. Whether it was academically, socially, emotionally or spiritually, I felt very much cared for and not simply a number that you may feel like when coming from a large university.

What did you think about your professors?

We were consistently given opportunities to participate and work together to achieve the exercise given to us. In being such a rigorous program where burnout and feeling overwhelmed is a very real thing, our professors did what they could to uplift us and encourage us while we were still learning and continuing to expand our medical knowledge.

How did you grow (spiritually, socially, educationally) while in this program at CBU?

Going into the program I was actually very nervous. Although I had graduated with a B.S. from UCLA, I don’t like to get in over my head or feel too confident. So, when starting CBU I took it day by day figuring out how to go about an intense program. As someone who is a first-generation student who’s reached the highest level of education in all my family, I consistently felt some pressure. One thing that really helped me through these times was my cohort. When not in class, we were constantly asking one another questions, helping each other out and providing resources in a moment’s notice. Even till this day we continually help one another, and for me that is something I really take to heart.

One of CBU’s mottos is “Live Your Purpose.” Did your program help you figure out your purpose?

The program shaped me into a better person and a better student and enabled me with a mindset of a medical provider. The program showed me that I do belong where I had always dreamed of reaching. It gave me the confidence and readiness to go out into the world and help others. It also gave me the sense of motivation to show others that it is possible to achieve the dreams and goals you set for yourself.