Thinking of becoming a physician assistant? Find out what you need to know before your apply to a physician assistant graduate program. Presentation includes information about earings potential, expected job growth, required coursework, top physician assistant graduate programs, and how to search for a PA program.

1. Physician Assistant
Graduate Programs

2. Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals working under the formal supervision of
medical doctors. PAs meet with patients to examine, diagnose, and treat injuries and illnesses.

3. Physician Assistants are employed by
the government, hospitals,
outpatient care centers, and in the
offices of practicing medical doctors.
As of May 2012, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics Reported the Median
Annual Salary of Physician Assistants
was $90,930.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291071.htm

4. Applying to Physician Assistant graduate
programs is a unique process. Most programs
utilize the Central Application Service for
Physician Assistants (CASPA). This system allows
applicants to complete one application that can
be sent to many different schools (note: some
programs may request additional information).
Specific admissions requirements vary by school,
but generally applicants to PA programs should
demonstrate the following:
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Strong Academic Record – 3.5 GPA or Higher
Experience in the medical field
(work/internship/shadowing)

5. Top Ranked PA programs
According to US News and World Report
November 2013
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Duke University
University of Iowa
University of Utah
Emory University
George Washington University
Baylor College of Medicine
Oregon Health and Sciences University
University of Medicine and Dentistry New
Jersey
9. University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center
10. University of Washington

6. Coursework and Training:
PA program requirements will vary by school, but most
programs require students to complete a combination of
coursework and clinical training to earn their degree.
Coursework is likely to include:
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Anatomy
Physiology
Patient Assessment
Diagnostic Methods
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Physical Diagnosis
Evidence based medicine
Practice and the Healthcare System
Behavioral Aspects of Medicine

7. For more information or
to search Physician
Assistant graduate
programs
References:
http://paprogram.mc.duke.edu/PA-Program/Curriculum/
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291071.htm
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physician-assistant-rankings