CO SB178

Authorizes Red Rocks Community College to confer a master's degree in physician assistant studies and seek accreditation for the program independent of its current affiliation with St. Francis University in Pennsylvania.

Addresses accreditation standards requiring all physician assistant programs to confer graduate degrees to students who initially enroll after 2020, with programs lacking compliance losing accreditation by January 1, 2021.

Red Rocks Community College's physician assistant program is a 25-month certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree and 2,000 hours of paid medical experience and prepares students to provide primary care to medically underserved populations.

Adds Colorado Revised Statutes section 23-60-213 to authorize Red Rocks Community College to independently confer graduate degrees upon students completing the physician assistant studies program.

Takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 7, 2013) unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2014 general election.