The Physician Assistant profession is growing in demand in the healthcare job market and opportunities to enter the field are multiplying at a rate outpacing the national average.
If you are considering a career as a physician assistant, you can enroll in the best pa schools in Florida. These accredited schools offer programs that will give you the skills and experience needed to function effectively in healthcare.
You don’t need to worry about how to get started; we will link you with a variety of pa programs through several colleges and universities around Florida. You can find programs at multiple degree levels that align with their academic and career goals.
Table of contents
Who Is A Physician Assistant?
Physician Assistant is a medical professional with a license trained in a medical school model curriculum. They work under a physician’s supervision to perform physical examinations on patients.
Physician assistants also diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medication, assist in surgery, and provide patient education and counseling.
Why PA School In Florida?
Schools in Florida are the world’s most prominent and world-renowned large research institutions. They rank in annual publications such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and many others.
Florida has top well-recognized PA schools, which are loaded with experienced staff and the latest technologies for students to gain knowledge and experience.
Notable alumni of Barry University, one of the best PA schools in Florida Seymour London, physician, and inventor of the first automatic blood pressure monitor.
In addition to the academic benefits, there are many opportunities for you to explore Florida. After graduation, you will have the skills to help those in need and make a real difference in people’s lives.
How Much Does It Cost To enroll In Good PA School In Florida?
The total average cost of acquiring a PA degree varies according to school. However, the tuition of PA schools is not the same and others fees.
Enrolling in a PA school in Florida can range from $65,000 to $200,000. Despite the costs, the Physician Assistant degree is generally considered one of the most promising within the healthcare field.
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How Long Does It Take To Complete PA Schools In Florida?
PA schools in Florida are higher institutions that offer you the degree to become a Physician Assistant. They offer this program for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The Undergraduate coursework typically takes two to five years, while the postgraduate takes two to three years.
You start your training with a solid science and medical field training foundation. For 2 years, you can expect to take lecture and lab sciences classes where you study such subjects as anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, physiology, and other content relevant to the field of osteopathic medicine.
PA Schools Accreditation
A good PA school must have accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission for The Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The ARC-PA offers Accreditional-Provisional, an accreditation status, to qualified PA schools. This status shows that the school’s PA program meets the ARC-PA standards. It also shows that the school demonstrates continued progress in complying with the standards.
The top PA schools in PA, which we share with you all, have the ARC-PA accreditation. This is part of the reason why they make a list, as well as why you should apply to them.
How Do I Apply for PA Schools In Florida?
All the Florida PA schools we’ll discuss require you to apply for admission using the Central Application Services for Physician Assistants (CASPA) portal.
However, you have first to visit your preferred school site to view their requirements before proceeding to CASPA.
If you meet your school’s requirements, hurry to the CASPA official site and create an account.
After the account creation, you should complete the “college attended section”, as well as the “evaluations section.”
Follow through with all the requirements on the portal, then submit your application. After that, your completed and verified application will be reviewed. Finally, you will get a call for an interview if you qualify for it.
List of Top PA Schools in Florida
Below are the top PA schools in Florida arranged in no particular order. The basics of our selection of these schools are their rankings, accreditation, acceptance rate, tuition, graduation rate, and other relevant factors.
We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and contacting individual schools. Below is the list of the schools; you will have to read further to get information on the various degree programs offered, tuition info, and program options for these schools.
- University of Florida
- Nova Southeastern University
- AdventHealth University
- Barry University
- Keiser University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Gannon University
- Florida State University
- South University – Tampa
- Florida International University
#1.University of Florida
Tuition: $28,659
According to a valid source, 59 students graduated in the study area of Physician Assistant, with students earning 59 Master’s degrees in 2015.
UF offers one of the best pa programs in Florida. The school offers 1 Physician Assistant Degree program designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge for professional growth through a commitment to excellence.
#2. Nova Southeastern University
Tuition: $30,900
Another great pa school in Florida is Nova Southeastern University(NSU). The school offers one PA program to educate primary care physicians and improve health care delivery in underserved areas.
NSU PA school in Florida trains students to be competent, caring, and able to adapt to a changing medical environment.
Additionally, graduates who complete this program are eligible for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
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#3. AdventHealth University
Tuition: $12,240
The AdventHealth University offers a Physician Assistant graduate program awarding a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) designed to prepare you through quality academic and clinical training to be a PA with a license
The school PA program grooms you with the knowledge and skills required to perform your role reliably. It also instills professionalism in your mind while expanding your knowledge beyond primary care.
In addition, this PA school Pa instills in your heart a responsibility for ongoing learning and progress in the field.
#4. Barry University
Tuition: $30,014
Barry University is listed as of the best PA schools in Florida. It is a top-ranked university and offers one of the best programs.
The Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) accreditated the school pa program.
The Program enables you to develop competencies required to meet the health care needs of contemporary society
You must be through high school to be eligible for the Barry University PA program. You also need to have a minimum GPA grade of 3.2 as well as a letter of recommendation.
#5. Keiser University
Tuition: $21,008
Keiser University is a large private university located in southern Florida. KU’s school Physician Assistant (PA) program offers a high-quality academic curriculum.
Learning at the KU pa program takes place in classrooms, laboratories, and in clinical sites where you can get real-life, hands-on educational experiences.
The school is also committed to providing students with the skills necessary for successful employment in the health care setting.
This will help students become caring healthcare providers and learn the material necessary to prepare for future careers as PAs.
#6. Florida Gulf Coast University
Tuition: $6,118(Local tuition), $25,162(Domestic tuition)
FGCU pa program is one of the best in Florida. The school curriculum begins with 15 months of instruction in physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, clinical medicine, clinical integration, and clinical skills on campus.
The remaining 12 months are dedicated to 4-week supervised clinical rotations at healthcare sites off-campus.
Core clinical rotations include primary-care medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, general surgery, and emergency medicine.
The Pa program at FGCU also features three elective rotations, which are arranged based on the student’s request and the program’s needs.
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#7. Gannon University
Tuition: $32,136
Gannon University offers a five-year Physician Assistant Program entry-level Master’s degree program.
The pa program at GU delivers an outstanding curriculum that builds graduates to possess the knowledge and skills for clinical practice.
Graduates of this program become health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. They provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services in primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings.
#8. Florida State University
Tuition: $5,656(Local tuition), $18,786(Domestic tuition)
Florida State University features a 27-month, 7-semester, 111 credit hour Pa program. This school is one of the top-ranked pa schools in Florida.
The PA Program at FSU focuses on the biomedical sciences, simulation, and procedural skills. The program is designed to prepare graduates to practice medicine as part of the Physician-PA Team.
Upon completion, these graduates will receive the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice degree.
#9. South University, Tampa
Tuition: $17,014
South University® offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA). The PA courses feature fundamental medical concepts and theories.
This provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function, with physician supervision, as medical professionals who will serve as valued members of the healthcare sector.
The interesting thing about enrolling in South University® is that graduates are eligible to pursue licensure in all 50 states across the U.S. Once you have passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), you are good to go.
#10. Florida International University
Tuition: $6,546(Local tuition), $18,954(Domestic tuition)
Florida International University offers a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies through the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
The college features a broad, interdisciplinary education that will prepare you for collaborative practice as a physician assistant.
The program consists of a clinical innovation and research while preparing you to become a socially accountable, community-based physician, scientist, and health professional.
At the end of your program at FIU college of medicine, you will build leadership capabilities to understand the importance of communicating effectively with patients and the healthcare teams.
How Much Do Graduates From The Best PA Schools In Florida?
The PA average annual wage is $108,430. Becoming a Physicain assistant a very lucrative career choice to make.
What Is The Job Outlook Of Graduates’ Best PA Schools In Florida?
When you are considering the best PA school for you, ensure that you consider the job outlook for that position as well.
That being said, technological advancement will play a big role in the employment of physicians and assistants.
Demand for physician assistants is expected to grow 30 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, due to the growing population, there will be a need for more health care.
Job opportunities for PA are expected to be good, especially in rural and low-income areas. Some of these areas do not have enough doctors.
Conclusion
Due to the huge range of career opportunities in the medical field, earning a PA degree can be the perfect option for those seeking a rewarding and challenging career that truly makes a difference in the lives of others.
If you are interested in pursuing high-level professional opportunities to advance a career in this in-demand profession, enroll in the best Pa school in Florida that we’ve highlighted on our page. These schools offer programs that will help you meet your career aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions On PA Schools In Florida
The median Physician Assistant Salary is $106,860 per year ($60.00 per hour), according to the 2018 AAPA Census data report.
To become a physician assistant, you must earn a bachelor’s degree, which takes roughly four years. You will also complete a physician assistant training program, which takes two years.
The Average Cost across all PA Schools in Florida is about $71,369; the average cost of non-resident tuition for a 27-month physician assistant program is $89,975.
References
- Physician Assistant: stetson.edu
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies: ahu.edu
- FOR STUDENTS – PA PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA: fapaonline.org
- Best Physician Assistant Colleges in Florida: universities.com
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