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What do I need to know if I want to be a Physician Assistant?
I feel as though I need to plan for graduate school before I even enter undergraduate school. There seems like there are many prerequisite that I need to meet so I can meet the requirements needed to apply for a Physician Assistant. What do I need to know?
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Doc’s Answer
Mitzio a physician assistant (PA), also called a physician associate, is a healthcare professional who works directly with patients. PAs work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other clinical settings to diagnose and treat illness, prescribe medication, and handle preventative care.
TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA)
Earning your bachelor’s degree is the first step on your path to becoming a physician assistant. If you know that you’re interested in a career in medicine early in your educational journey, you should consider earning a bachelor of science (BS) degree with a major in biology, chemistry, or a STEM field. If you earned a BS in biology with all A’s, you may be able to apply to PA school as soon as you have accumulated enough clinical experience.
PA EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
We’ve arrived at one of the most important—and daunting—PA school requirements. A strong GPA and high GRE score won’t get you in the door of a competitive PA program if you don’t possess any related healthcare experience. Many PA schools will designate a minimum number of healthcare hours required for applicants, and the amount varies widely. Patient care experience is by far the most important experience category on PA school applications. This includes experiences where you have responsibility for a patient’s care. Examples include performing procedures, developing treatment plans, and directing a patient’s treatment. Many students earn these hours while working as an EMT/paramedic, CNA, phlebotomist, dental hygienist, physical therapy aide, LVN, or RN. Some programs specify that only paid patient care experience will satisfy this PA school requirement.
GRADUATE FROM A PA PROGRAM
To become a PA, you’ll need to have a master’s degree in PA studies from a university program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Most PA programs require going to school full time for two to three years. You’ll complete a mix of coursework in the medical sciences, including class time in a lab and rotations in a range of clinical settings. The clinical rotations offer the opportunity to explore and gain experience in different specialities.
CONCUSSION
Becoming a PA is a rigorous yet rewarding process that offers flexibility, high earning potential, and the opportunity to work in diverse medical settings, truly helping better the lives of patients.
Hope this was helpful Mitzio
TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA)
Earning your bachelor’s degree is the first step on your path to becoming a physician assistant. If you know that you’re interested in a career in medicine early in your educational journey, you should consider earning a bachelor of science (BS) degree with a major in biology, chemistry, or a STEM field. If you earned a BS in biology with all A’s, you may be able to apply to PA school as soon as you have accumulated enough clinical experience.
PA EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
We’ve arrived at one of the most important—and daunting—PA school requirements. A strong GPA and high GRE score won’t get you in the door of a competitive PA program if you don’t possess any related healthcare experience. Many PA schools will designate a minimum number of healthcare hours required for applicants, and the amount varies widely. Patient care experience is by far the most important experience category on PA school applications. This includes experiences where you have responsibility for a patient’s care. Examples include performing procedures, developing treatment plans, and directing a patient’s treatment. Many students earn these hours while working as an EMT/paramedic, CNA, phlebotomist, dental hygienist, physical therapy aide, LVN, or RN. Some programs specify that only paid patient care experience will satisfy this PA school requirement.
GRADUATE FROM A PA PROGRAM
To become a PA, you’ll need to have a master’s degree in PA studies from a university program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Most PA programs require going to school full time for two to three years. You’ll complete a mix of coursework in the medical sciences, including class time in a lab and rotations in a range of clinical settings. The clinical rotations offer the opportunity to explore and gain experience in different specialities.
CONCUSSION
Becoming a PA is a rigorous yet rewarding process that offers flexibility, high earning potential, and the opportunity to work in diverse medical settings, truly helping better the lives of patients.
Hope this was helpful Mitzio
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Mitzio
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Mitzio,
It's great that you are thinking about becoming a Physician Assistant. In California, to become a Physician Assistant you need to earn a bachelors degree in any field, complete the pre-requisites for PA School, apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) (check that the schools you would consider participate and if there are any supplemental requirements) and earn your Master of Science: Physician Assistant. This is usually a 2-3 year program. So, combined with the 4 years to get your bachelors program you are looking at 6-7 years of education. You can then apply for your license with the Physician Assistant Board.
Entry requirements and pre-requisites are going to be somewhat different for each school. Make sure you look it up for schools you would consider. You find the entry requirements and pre-requisites for University of Southern California and Southern California University of Health Sciences as examples here:
https://keck.usc.edu/physician-assistant-program/admission/
https://catalog.scuhs.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=24&poid=2064&returnto=2146
As you can see, there are science and non-science courses that you need to pass. You also need healthcare experience and community service involvement to be able to apply to PA school. Make sure to cultivate some relationships with people who can write recommendation letters for you. Some programs also require an admission test, e.g. the Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT) or the CASPer situational judgment test.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.pab.ca.gov/
https://bold.org/blog/physician-assistant-schools-in-california/
https://caspa.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/#/login
It's great that you are thinking about becoming a Physician Assistant. In California, to become a Physician Assistant you need to earn a bachelors degree in any field, complete the pre-requisites for PA School, apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) (check that the schools you would consider participate and if there are any supplemental requirements) and earn your Master of Science: Physician Assistant. This is usually a 2-3 year program. So, combined with the 4 years to get your bachelors program you are looking at 6-7 years of education. You can then apply for your license with the Physician Assistant Board.
Entry requirements and pre-requisites are going to be somewhat different for each school. Make sure you look it up for schools you would consider. You find the entry requirements and pre-requisites for University of Southern California and Southern California University of Health Sciences as examples here:
https://keck.usc.edu/physician-assistant-program/admission/
https://catalog.scuhs.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=24&poid=2064&returnto=2146
As you can see, there are science and non-science courses that you need to pass. You also need healthcare experience and community service involvement to be able to apply to PA school. Make sure to cultivate some relationships with people who can write recommendation letters for you. Some programs also require an admission test, e.g. the Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT) or the CASPer situational judgment test.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: