Today, becoming a Physician Assistant requires more education than it was in the past. PA schools have created options, allowing students to take some or even all of their courses online.
Students can now complete a Master’s degree and pass the National Certification Exam without having to quit their current jobs.
If you are a physician assistant and you are considering expanding your skills or even upgrading your certifications, you can take advantage of the accredited online physician assistant programs we have listed in this article.
However, each program has varying admissions requirements, program duration, and curricula. we will guide you on how to choose an option that is best for you. But before we dive into that, there are useful information about online pa programs that you need to know. The table of contents will guide you to navigate the available options.
Table of contents
Who Is A Physician Assistant?
Physician Assistant is a medical professional with a license who is trained in a medical school model curriculum. They are supervised by a Physician 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 Physician Assistant Programs Online?
Online pa programs have proven to be the best options in recent times. They offer flexible schedules that allow students to study at their convenience.
Generally, online education saves cost, you don’t have to worry about accommodation, transportation and every other cost associated with on-campus learning.
Today, online PA programs are ranked among the most renowned study practices in the world. 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.
These programs are loaded with experienced staff and also have the latest technologies for students to gain knowledge and experience.
Additionally, graduates of top online pa schools work in numerous fields of medicine including primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, emergency medicine, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, hospital medicine, hematology/oncology, urology, cardiology, rheumatology, OB/GYN, interventional radiology and many more.
Others go on to successfully obtain positions in post-graduate residency programs across the US.
In fact, after graduation from a top Pa school online, you can boast of skills to help those in need and make a real difference in people’s lives.
How Much Does It Cost To enroll In Good Online PA program?
The total average cost of enrolling in an accredited PA degree online vary according to school. However, the tuition of PA schools is not the same and other fees.
The cost of acquiring a PA degree online can range from $65,000 to $200,000. Despite the costs, the Physician Assistant degree is generally considered as one of the most promising within the healthcare field.
How Long Does It Take To Complete An Online PA Program?
Online Pa programs offer you the degree to become a Physician Assistant. Most schools offer a Master’s program while others provide both undergraduate and postgraduate options. Online pa coursework typically takes 12 to 18momths to complete.
Online PA Program Accreditation
A good online PA program must have accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission for The Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The ARC-PA offers Accrediting-Provisional, which is 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 we have put together in this post all have the ARC-PA accreditation. This is part of the reason why they make the list, as well as why you should apply to them.
How Do I Apply for PA Schools Online?
All Physician Assistant programs we’ve highlighted in this article requires you to apply for admission using the Central Application Services for Physician Assistants (CASPA) portal.
However, you have to first, visit your preferred school site to view their requirements before proceeding to CASPA.
If you meet your school’s requirement, then hurry on 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.
Check out; Top PA schools in Michigan
List of Top Physician Assistant Programs Online
Below is a list of schools that offer the best physician assistant programs arranged in no particular order. The basics of our selection of these schools, however, are their rankings, accreditation, acceptance rate, tuition, graduation rate, and other relevant factors.
We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and also by contacting individual schools.
- University of Washington
- University of North Dakota
- Sacred Heart University
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- University of Detroit Mercy
- A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
- Pace University-New York
- Yale University
- Stony Brook University
- Marywood University
#1.University of Washington
Tuition: $279 per credit hour
UW features a one year extended Master of Clinical Health Services degree as PA program online. However, the residency is usually takes place on campus.
The program covers four areas of concentration including healthcare for rural and underserved populations, public health and preventative medicine, academic medicine and specialty practice, and global health.
Requirements for UW online PA program include, 3.0 GPA on your most recent academic work, a bachelor’s degree, licensure and certification, and a letter from current employer (if currently employed).
The program is fully accredited by ARC-PA and also approved by other accrediting bodies.
#2. University of North Dakota
Tuition: $423 per credit hour
University of North Dakota offers one of the best online Master of Physician Assistant Studies.
They fully accredited the program by ARC-PA and features 24-month duration courses in clinical portions online, plus 5 on-campus portions totaling 17 weeks of instruction.
The curriculum focuses on primary care in rural or underserved areas, with an overall goal of improving health care access.
To gain admission into this program, you must have ND, MN, MT, prerequisite coursework from the previous seven years, and a 3.0 GPA. Also, SD residents who have 500-1000 hours of hands-on experience in healthcare.
#3. University of Wisconsin – Madison
Tuition: $1056 per credit hour
University of Wisconsin offers a 3-year physician assistant program online with one summer semester on campus, and two 3-4 day campus visits during the rest of the program.
This program features 93 credits and allows students to earn the MPAS degree while working as a PA. The first two years are didactic education, and the third year is clinical rotations in your community.
#4. Sacred Heart University
Tuition: $801 per credit hour
Sacred Heart University offers an accredited online physician assistant program that is a fulltime and covers the duration of 27-months.
The first didactic 12 months is done in the classroom via online learning. The remaining 15 months is for clinical experience and rotations.
The program requires you to progress through seven required rotations including, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Surgery, Behavioral Medicine, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, and Emergency Medicine. Each of these rotations takes bout five weeks to complete.
To qualify for admission into this program, you must possess a minimum of 3.0GPA and at least 1,000 hours of verifiable. Also, experience as a CNA, LPN, EMT, paramedic, physical therapy aide, military medic, medical scribe, radiology technician, or other job types within healthcare will be considered.
#5. University of Detroit Mercy
Tuition: $1,607 per credit hour
The University of Detroit Mercy offers a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program with a high-quality academic curriculum. The program is designed for working PAs who want to update their qualifications and it features online, evening, and Saturday classes.
To gain admission into this program, you must have a B.A. and completion of an accredited PA program, and a GPA of at least 2.5. You must also be must be eligible for a PA license in Michigan.
#6. A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Tuition: $428 per credit hour
The A.T. Still University of Health Sciences offers a post-professional online Master of Science in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies. The program designed for students who are certified or licensed as PAs and is also open to international students who can prove the equivalency of their studies.
The coursework features a clinical practice of 400 hours to be performed at the student’s place of employment. The program curriculum consists of two concentrations, Clinical Medicine or Education/Leadership with at least 10-15 hours of studies per week.
#7. Pace University – New York
Tuition: $1,225 per credit hour
Pace offers a 12-month master’s of science pa online program designed for NCCPA certified PAs and holds a bachelor’s degree. The program features 18 credits for clinical experience, leaving only 12 credits of courses to complete the 30-hour degree.
To apply for this program, you need to take an ARC-PA accredited PA program and have documentation of at least 3,600 hours of professional experience.
#8. Yale University
Tuition: $1,313 per credit hour
Yale offers an accredited online physician assistant program at a graduate-level. The 8 months program focuses on developing critical thinking, professional problem solving, appreciation of human diversity, and ethical leadership.
The first 12 months are didactic, and then students continue through clinical rotations in or near their home communities. Clinical rotations covers at least 40 hours per week.
Students are not allowed to work during the program. To apply for this program, you must be US citizens or permanent residents. Other requirements include an undergraduate science GPA of 3.0, six months of full-time healthcare experience, 1,000 hours of hands-on patient care.
#9. Stony Brook University
Tuition: $1,225 per credit hour
Stony Brook offers a post-professional online PA program that can be completed in 15-18 months. However, students can choose some on-campus classes at the Manhattan or Long Island campuses.
The program accepts International students. To be eligible for admission, you must possess an ARC-PA accredited program, have a current license, and have a Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA (preferred).
Coursework covers 18 credits, 12 credits electives chosen by each student, and 6 transfer credits for previous graduate courses may be awarded toward the MSPA degree.
#10. Marywood University
Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
Marywood offers an accredited online Master in Physician Assistant Professional Studies. The program allows practicing PAs to teach at the college level, conduct research, publish and present work, and take on administrative roles.
To qualify for this program, you must complete an accredited PA program, a bachelor’s degree, a current PA license, NCCPA certification, current employment, a supervising physician, and a 3.0 GPA on previous work.
How Much Do Graduates From Online PA schools Earn?
The average annual wage of a physician assistant is $108,430. Becoming a Physician assistant a very lucrative career choice to make.
What Is The Job Outlook Of Graduates Of accredited Online Physician Assistant Programs?
When you are considering online 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 employing 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 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, because of 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
Because of the vast range of career opportunities in the medical field, earning a PA degree online can be the perfect option for you if you’re 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 online physician assistant programs we’ve highlighted on our page. These schools offer programs that will help you meet your career aspirations.
References
- Top 14 ARC-PA Accredited Online Physician Assistant Programs: geteducated.com
- The Guide to Online Physician Assistant (PA) Programs: teach.com
- The Best Online Physician Assistant Master’s Programs: bestcolleges.com
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