Demand for Physician Assistants (or PAs) is on the rise, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting that the PA profession will see a 28% growth rate between 2021 and 2031.1 When US News & World Report ranks it as the second best job in healthcare and the third best job across all industries.2
With over 38,400 job openings expected by 2031, the Physician Assistant career path is becoming increasingly attractive to those who want to manage hands-on, direct patient care.
As a result, Physician Assistant programs are highly competitive. In the 2017-2018 cycle, he was actually admitted to the PA program only in his 32.3% of all applicants submitted.3 As a result, you may feel even more motivated to make sure your application to a PA school is optimized to showcase your strengths.
What is the PA program application like? Whether you are currently applying for a PA or just starting to consider a program, read our tips for the application process and a checklist to help you apply to a PA school. .
PA School Checklist
You may be wondering, “How long does PA school cost?” In general, most PA programs are about 27 months long, extending over the summer with short breaks between semesters. While this checklist is by no means exhaustive (doctoral assistant his program application requirements vary by institution), it does cover the basics of how to apply to (and be admitted to) a PA school.
#1 Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Get Excellent Grades
All PA programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The only exception is programs that offer college-credited high school graduates a pre-vocational (undergraduate) stage before proceeding to a professional (graduate) stage.
The GPA required to earn a master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) varies by program, but the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) reports that PA students have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.6 .Four
#2 Complete prerequisite coursework
The American Academy of Physician Associates reports that the majority of entry-level Physician Assistant programs require the following prerequisite coursework:Five However, each program has its own list. You should be aware of the requirements of the individual program to which you are applying.
- biochemistry
- biology
- chemistry
- English composition
- general psychology
- genetics
- human anatomy
- medical term
- microbiology
- organic chemistry
- human physiology
- statistics
#3 Gain medical or patient care experience
Many incoming Physician Assistant candidates have worked or are currently working in the medical profession. This experience is useful for two reasons.
- This allows candidates to gain hands-on experience.
- Many PA programs require previous medical experience (HCE) or patient care experience (PCE).
HCE and PCE hourly requirements vary by institution, so we encourage you to check with the Physician Assistant Program you are interested in prior to completing the program. (The average is 1,000 hours.)6
However, some Masters in Physician Assistant Studies programs do not require a prior HCE or PCE on the grounds that the student will have all the experience and skills required in the program. Also, the applicant’s HCE/PCE hours are self-reported on her CASPA and are not necessarily confirmed by the school.
You may also consider shadowing a Physician’s Assistant before applying to a PA school, especially if you can shadow multiple PAs in different specialties (such as surgery or acute care).
Shadowing hours may not count against HCE/PCE hours, but they may indicate initiative and make your application stand out. Additionally, you will gain valuable knowledge about the PA’s daily pace and scope of work.
#6 Request transcripts
Order your transcripts from your undergraduate college approximately six weeks before the application deadline to ensure that CASPA or your institution receives your transcripts on time.
#7 Ask for letters of recommendation
CASPA requires 3-5 letters of recommendation. These are usually written by a professor in the medical field or a former or current employer.
When you receive a letter of recommendation, it is good manners to send a personalized, hand-made thank-you note to let you know when you have been accepted into the PA program.
#8 Write a letter of intent
your personal statement, or letter of intent— elaborate on why you want to be a doctor’s assistant. CASPA requires a maximum of 5,000 characters or approximately 800 words. If you have a good story to tell about what sparked your interest in this field, do so in a concise manner.
Once you’ve finished writing the consent form, ask a trusted linguistic friend (or two) to review it.
#9 Submit a CASPA application
Once you have all the materials ready, complete and submit your CASPA application. Follow up on its status and any supplemental information requested by the PA school you applied to.
This is the end of the application procedure. Keep breathing while waiting for a reply. Know that going beyond these application tips will likely do you a favor as a future PA student.
USAHS is pleased to announce its new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, the application will start in April 2023. Learn more about the PA program structure, accreditation status, and current USAHS MSPAS program features.
St. Augustine University Health Sciences (USAHS) is developing a Master of Science in Science (MSPAS) program. We will begin accepting applications in April 2023 for the first cohort starting in January 2024. The program is held directly on our campus in Austin, Texas and consists of four academic phases and his three semesters. clinical stage. Students complete her seven core rotations, plus two elective rotations of her choice in various outpatient settings and hospitals.
USAHS’s MSPAS program has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Board for the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA). USAHS’ MSPAS plans to enroll her first MSPAS class in January 2024 until she achieves Accredited Provisional Status at her ARC-PA meeting in September 2023. Accreditation-Provisional appears to indicate the program’s ability to meet ARC-PA criteria if the plans and resource allocations of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students are fully implemented as planned. Certification status granted when a program is certified, or if the program holds certification. – Interim status appears to indicate continued progress in compliance with standards as we prepare for graduation of our first class (cohort) of students.
If the program is not granted accredited provisional status by ARC-PA, students accepted into the MSPAS program at USAHS will receive a full refund of their bond and the program will not enroll in January 2024.
