One of the best pathways to working with doctors and other medical professionals without becoming a licensed practitioner is being a physician assistant and having a master’s in physician assistant program. This prepares you for a wide range of options in medicine.
Physician assistant master’s degree programs prepare students for various medical employment options, including hospital positions, doctor’s offices, and community health clinics. Program specializations can include pediatrics, occupational medicine, and other specialties.
This article looks at the 15 best masters in physician assistant programs that lead to careers as physician assistants.
Before we continue, here is a review of what this post looks like:
Table of contents
- Who Is A Physician Assistant?
- What Do Physician Assistants Do?
- What Is A Masters In Physician Assistant Program All About?
- Why Should I Get A Masters In Physician Assistant Program?
- What Can I Do With A Physician Assistant Masters Degree?
- What Is The Average GPA for A Masters Degree In A Physician Assistant Program?
- How Long Does It Take To Complete A Masters In A Physician Assistant Program?
- How Much Can I Make With A Masters In A Physician Assistant Program?
- Job Outlook
- What Are The Best Masters In Physician Assistant (MPA) Programs?
- 1. University of Iowa
- 2. University of Texas Health Science Center
- 3. West Liberty University
- 4. Missouri State University-Springfield
- 5. Wichita State University
- 6. University of South Alabama
- 7. University of Colorado Denver/ Anschutz Medical Campus
- 8. Augusta University
- 9. Idaho State University
- 10. University of North Dakota
- 11. Ohio University
- 12. Northern Arizona University
- 13. CUNY City College
- 14. Florida International University
- 15. University of Alabama
- Conclusion
- Masters In Physician Assistant (MPA) Programs FAQs
- Sources:
- Editor’s Recommendation:
Who Is A Physician Assistant?
A physician assistant (PA) is a mid-level medical practitioner who works under the supervision of a licensed doctor (an MD) or osteopathic physician (a DO).
Physician’s assistants may practice autonomously and independently or collaboratively with physicians depending on the legislation in the state or province where the PA practices.
What Do Physician Assistants Do?
Physician assistants take on many responsibilities in diverse environments. They can work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, physician’s offices, and other medical and health services environments, often as a team. Physician assistants can diagnose and treat ailments, but they always work under the supervision of physicians.
In medical and health services environments, they typically examine patients, assist during surgeries, and perform specific tasks during other medical procedures. They may provide some or all of these duties on a typical day as they make rounds through a facility.
What Is A Masters In Physician Assistant Program All About?
Those pursuing physician assistant jobs opt for graduate programs, usually called Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).
The curriculum of most physician assistant master’s degrees involves a combination of medical coursework and hands-on clinical experience. Below are some of the topics that may be included in the curriculum of such a degree program:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Physical diagnosis
- Genetics
- Ethical concerns in medicine
- Patient assessment
Why Should I Get A Masters In Physician Assistant Program?
A physician assistant master’s program teaches students to stay calm under pressure, multitask, and communicate effectively. Communication skills help you deal with patients, work with peers, and network with faculty. They can also help you land an internship or a job placement as they assist in the interview process.
Moreover, the ability to multitask and deal calmly with stress might help you balance the responsibilities of a physician assistant position, making you a more competitive candidate.
A master in PA Studies degree is a valued credential that guarantees a stable, high-income career in clinical care. That, and the satisfaction of helping people daily and working together with some of the most highly trained professionals in the medical field.
What Can I Do With A Physician Assistant Masters Degree?
Physician assistants had the highest level of employment in 2014 in physician offices, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with more than 53,280 individuals employed. However, some PAs hold two or more jobs.
Some career paths include:
- Surgical Assistants
- Medical Practitioners
- Infection Control
- Rural Area Practitioners
- Clinical Services Managers
- Clinical Advisors
What Is The Average GPA for A Masters Degree In A Physician Assistant Program?
You’ll need excellent grades from your prior schooling. Your full transcripts should showcase a good GPA of 3.0 or above, even if the master’s program you are considering has a technical limit of 2.5 or less.
How Long Does It Take To Complete A Masters In A Physician Assistant Program?
It takes two years to complete a master’s degree in a physician assistant program.
How Much Can I Make With A Masters In A Physician Assistant Program?
The average salary of a candidate with a master’s degree in a physician assistant program is about $100,290.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of physician assistants is expected to grow by 31% between 2018 and 2028, a rate that is much higher than average.
What Are The Best Masters In Physician Assistant (MPA) Programs?
Here, we have carefully listed the best 15 masters in physician assistant programs in no particular order.
They include:
- University of Iowa
- University of Texas Health Science Center
- West Liberty University
- West Liberty University
- Wichita State University
- University of South Alabama
- University of Colorado Denver/ Anschutz Medical Campus
- Augusta University
- Idaho State University
- University of North Dakota
- Ohio University
- Northern Arizona University
- CUNY City College
- Florida International University
- University of Alabama
1. University of Iowa
Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies within the Carver College of Medicine, this is a 28-month, non-thesis didactic and clinical phase open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
By plan, PA students “complete their didactic curriculum with medical students” in this program, which currently has Accreditation-Continued status from ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant).
The tuition here is $11,336 for in-state and $30,277 for out-of-state.
2. University of Texas Health Science Center
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a member of a public institution and University of Texas System. Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, this is a 126-credit, economic Physician Assistant program of 30 months (14mos didactic, 16 clinical), starting each June.
SPCE (Supervised Clinical Practice Experience) areas include: Behavioral Medicine; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; General Surgery; Inpatient Medicine; Internal Medicine; Pediatrics; Primary Care; Women’s Health; plus several elective rotations.
The tuition here is $4,188 for in-state and $12,719 for out-of-state.
3. West Liberty University
West Liberty University is a public institution and the best college/ university in the state. This is a 105-credit Physician Assistant program of 24 months, with didactic and clinical components of 12 months each, starting each July.
There are nine 5-week clinical rotations covering the following content areas: Behavioral Medicine/Psychiatry; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; General Surgery; Internal Medicine; Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine; Women’s Health; Elective (two).
The tuition here is $5,920 for in-state and $7,320 for out-of-state.
4. Missouri State University-Springfield
Missouri State University-Springfield is a government institution and a Missouri State University System member. This is an 87-credit, full-time Physician Assistant program of 24 months, with didactic and clinical phases of 12 months each.
Clinical preceptorship areas include behavioral and mental health care; emergency medicine; family practice/ medicine; general surgery; Internal medicine; obstetrics and gynecology/ women’s health; primary care; directed.
The tuition here is $6,038 for in-state and $11,114 for out-of-state.
5. Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a public institution and a Kansas State University System member. Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant within the College of Health Professions, this is a 93-credit Physician Assistant program of 26 months (including 13 months of clinical rotation), with a maximum class size of 48 students.
Clinical rotation areas include behavioral health; emergency medicine and acute care; family medicine and primary care; general surgery; geriatrics; pediatrics; prenatal care, and women’s health.
The tuition here is $6,904 for in-state and $14,817 for out-of-state.
6. University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public institution. Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies within the College of Allied Health, this is a 121-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of 27 months (15 mos clinical, 12 didactics). It starts each May and admits up to 40 students per class.
Clinical rotation areas include Emergency Medicine; General Surgery; Internal Medicine; Obstetrics/ Gynecology; Primary Care/ Family Practice; Psychiatry; Elective (three).
The tuition here is $8,156 for in-state and $16,112 for out-of-state.
7. University of Colorado Denver/ Anschutz Medical Campus
Produced by the School of Medicine, this is a 132-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of three years, with didactic and clinical components. Clinical rotation areas for the Regular track include: Adult Internal Medicine; Ambulatory Pediatrics; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; Inpatient Medicine; Pediatric Subspecialty (Neonatology or Adolescent Medicine); Surgery; Women’s Health.
The tuition here is $8,017 for in-state and $23,821 for out-of-state.
8. Augusta University
Produced by the Physician Assistant Department within the College of Allied Health Sciences, this 122-credit Physician Assistant program starts each May. Practicum areas include: Adult Medicine; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; Pediatric Medicine; Psychiatric and Addiction Medicine; Surgery; Women’s Health.
Graduates of this master’s degree are qualified to sit for the PANCE professional certification exam, for which Augusta PA grads have achieved a 5-year first-time taker average pass rate of 96%.
The tuition here is $ 7,064 for in-state and $ 19,464 for out-of-state.
9. Idaho State University
Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, this is a high-value, 120-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of 26 months – the only PA program in the state.
The curriculum is divided into Didactic and Clinical phases, with the latter covering the following required content areas in clinical rotations: Emergency Medicine; Internal Medicine; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Outpatient Medicine; Pediatrics; Psychiatry; Surgery.
The tuition here is $ 9,376 for in-state and $ 24,896 for out-of-state.
10. University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota is a public institution and a North Dakota University System member. Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, this is a 88- to 113-credit, hybrid Physician Assistant program (one of the few in this ranking list) of 24 months and the only PA program in the state.
It accepts a maximum of 35 students, and the total time required on campus is 15 weeks (six sessions across the two-year timeline), including the initial orientation. The curriculum combines 15 weeks on campus, with some online coursework and potential local clinical rotations.
The tuition here is $ 9,697 for in-state and $ 23,435 for out-of-state
11. Ohio University
Ohio University is a public institution amongst the best in the United States. In its time, many students have graduated as alumni and become successful, including various Pulitzer Prize winners.
Produced by the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences within the College of Health Sciences and Professions, this 102-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of seven semesters/ 27 months starts each May.
Rotation areas include: Behavioral and Mental Health; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; General Surgery; Internal Medicine; Pediatric Medicine; Women’s Health; General and Specialty Selective (three total).
The tuition here is $9,720 for in-state and $17,712 for out-of-state.
12. Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public institution governed by the Arizona Board of Regents.
Produced by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, and partial collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Medicine, this is a 103-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of 24 months. Students will gain experience in partnered clinics and hospitals.
The tuition is $10,593 for In-state and $20,015 out-of-state.
13. CUNY City College
CUNY City College is a public institution and a City University of New York (CUNY) System member.
Produced by the School of Medicine, this is an 80-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of 28 months (seven semesters) and commits to increasing the number of PAs from historically underserved communities.
Students will be taught in 10 areas: Critical Care; Emergency Medicine; Geriatrics; Internal Medicine; Obstetrics/ Gynecology; Pediatrics; Primary Care; Psychiatry; Surgery; Elective.
The tuition here is $ 11,082 for in-state and $ 20,232 for out-of-state.
14. Florida International University
Florida International University is a public university member of the State University System of Florida.
Produced by the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, this is an on-campus Physician Assistant program of 27 months (15m didactic; 12m clinical – with nine clerkships in different areas of expertise).
The tuition here is $11,097 for in-state and $23,578 for out-of-state.
15. University of Alabama
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public institution and a member of the University of Alabama System.
Produced by the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences within the School of Health Professions, this is a 115-credit, on-campus Physician Assistant program of 27 months. Established in 1967, it claims the title of the second-oldest PA program in the USA.
Students have access to the well-regarded UAB Hospital system, and clinical rotation opportunities include: critical care; emergency medicine; primary care; surgery; trauma.
The tuition here is $8,100 for in-state and $18,540 for out-of-state.
Conclusion
A masters in a physician assistant program teaches students to stay calm under pressure, multitask, and communicate effectively. Communication skills help you deal with patients, work with peers, and network with faculty.
However, it is a good idea to know the best master’s program for this course to make your study worthwhile. This article listed the best master’s program for a physician assistant program.
Masters In Physician Assistant (MPA) Programs FAQs
The average salary of a candidate with a master’s degree in a physician assistant program is about $100,290.
You’ll need excellent grades from your prior schooling. Your full transcripts should showcase a good GPA of 3.0 or above, even if the master’s program you are considering has a technical limit of 2.5 or less.
It takes two years to complete a master’s degree in a physician assistant program.
A master in PA Studies degree is a valued credential that guarantees a stable, high-income career in clinical care. That, and the satisfaction of helping people daily and working with some of the most highly trained professionals in the medical field.
Sources:
- mastersprogramsguide-best masters physician assistant programs
- affordableschools-masters physician-assistant studies
- study.com-physician assistant masters
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