Final answer:
The first PA program to award a master's degree is not specified in the provided information about Stephen Ell. To factually determine which PA program was the first to offer a master's degree, further research would be required.
Step-by-step explanation:
The First PA Program to Award a Master's Degree
The question regarding which was the first Physician Assistant (PA) program to award a master's degree is situated within the field of medicine, historically framed. However, the information provided about Stephen Ell does not directly answer this question, as it references his educational background in medieval history and medicine, but does not specify the PA program in question.
Despite the given information, the first PA program to confer a master's degree is not mentioned, so I am not able to provide a factual answer to this specific question. Nevertheless, for students interested in the history of PA programs, it's worth noting that the PA profession emerged in the mid-1960s in response to a shortage of physicians. The Duke University PA Program, established in 1965, was the first of its kind in the United States; however, it is not noted for awarding the first master's degree. Research would be needed to identify the specific program that first offered the master’s level credential.