Physician assistants (Pas) conduct patient examinations, write prescriptions and request diagnostic procedures. In most circumstances, they work under the direction of doctors or surgeons, but in other states, rural areas, and inner-city areas, they can work more independently, conferring with doctors only when they require assistance with cases.
Senate Bill No. 259, which makes it simpler for physician assistants to practice in Ohio, was signed by Governor Mike DeWine in the latter part of 2018.
In this article, we will look at the 13 PA schools in Ohio state and how you can get in.
What Knowledge and Skills Will I Acquire Through Ohio Physician Assistant Programs?
In the PA schools in Ohio, you will receive instruction and training to diagnose, treat, and manage patient care while enrolled in your educational program. But in order to succeed, you must also develop new abilities and traits.
Medical knowledge
You will be examined on your medical knowledge at the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination in order to obtain your license (PANCE).
Critical Thinking
You must be able to think critically and logically, recognize logical connections, and engage in independent, reflective thought that demonstrates problem-solving.
Professionalism
It is required of physician assistants to perform with a high degree of responsibility and put the needs of their patients above their own.
Interpersonal Communication Skills
You’ve probably heard how important it is for healthcare professionals to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. A physician assistant interacts with patients during the course of the day, listening to their concerns, giving them advice, and dealing with other healthcare professionals.
Stress Control
Healthcare employment is undoubtedly demanding and stressful. Unlike most other employment, physician assistants deal with patients who have significant medical issues, which can be stressful.
Additionally, burnout and compassion fatigue are always a possibility for those who work in the healthcare industry.
Attention to detail
In any of the PA schools in Ohio you choose, attention to detail is important. As you probably already know from your clinical training, it’s crucial to focus on even the smallest aspects when practicing medicine. Missing a tiny item, like an allergy, can have unintended consequences for a patient. Physician assistants must be able to communicate with other healthcare professionals and be detail-oriented.
Compassionate
You need to truly love people if you want to spend all day caring for patients. Without compassion, it is challenging to conduct physical examinations, make diagnoses, administer treatments, and provide care for people without easily burning out.
Physician Assistants In Ohio And Salary
Ohio’s need for physician assistants is expected to increase, and these positions typically pay above-average salaries. Ohio’s projected growth in physician assistant employment is higher than the national average. In Ohio, physician assistants make more money than the average American worker.
Jobs Projections: 30.9%
The median salary is $105,940.
In this state, there were about 4,430 physician assistants employed in 2018.
In 2017, this state employed 3,050 physician assistants. That represents an increase of 1,380 jobs from 2017 to 2018.
Ohio has more physician assistants than the average state, which has 1,190 employed physician assistants. Please check out the 8 best PA schools in Indiana, their tuition and requirements. Now, let’s look at the PA schools in Ohio.
The List of Best PA Schools In Ohio
When it comes to Ohio universities & colleges, there are many possibilities for higher education in Ohio, including more than 50 four-year private schools and universities, 23 two-year community and technical institutions, and 14 four-year public universities with 24 branch campuses.
However, we can find the best pa programs in Ohio in the following schools:
Baldwin Wallace University PA Program
Every year in May, Baldwin Wallace’s 24-month Master of Medical Science physician assistant program begins. Students undergo a rigorous didactic and clinical curriculum with placements throughout Northeast Ohio, allowing them to sit for the PANCE exam and pursue employment prospects ahead of other graduating PA classes in the area.
In May 2015, the first cohort of the medical assistant program at BW graduated. Since 2015, BW’s physician assistant graduates have achieved a 99% cumulative first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). BW alumni work as physician assistants in a variety of medical specialties around the United States.
Physician assistants, physicians, and medical professionals with skills in both the field and the classroom make up the PA faculty. The average class size is 35 students. You can more information here.
Admission Requirements: you need to fulfill the following criteria to be considered for admission.
- An applicant must have graduated from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
- All prerequisite courses must have been completed prior to application.
- The minimum cumulative and science GPA is 3.0. Candidates must have had nothing lower than C in all prerequisite courses.
- 40 hours of Shadowing experience for the next cohort has been waived.
CASPA application closes on the 1st of November.
Tuition: $89,000 for entire program.
Case Western Reserve University Pa Program
This university collaborates with some of the greatest teaching hospitals in the country to provide students with opportunities to learn and practice in a variety of clinical settings. Students undertake clerkships at clinical sites within their first year, gaining early exposure to the clinical environment.
Students are prepared to contribute to team-based care thanks to the school’s blend of learning techniques. 37 students are accepted annually into this 27 months program.
The program employs a multifaceted approach to selecting students with diverse social, economic, ethnic, educational, and health care experience backgrounds. Students with academic capacity, personal maturity, leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities are preferred.
You can find out more information on their official website.
Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this school, you must meet up with the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in the USA.
- Complete official transcript for foreign students.
- GRE scores
- Completion of necessary course work for the CWRU PA Program, which must be completed at a regionally approved university in the United States or Canada.
- Hours of documented direct patient care experience
- Letters of recommendations
- Personal essay
The deadline for application to this school is on the 1st of November.
Tuition: $82,393 is an estimated amount and is subject to change by the institution.
Kettering College PA Program
Kettering College has one of the oldest PA programs in the country. Duke University established the first Physician Assistant school in the country, admitting its first cohort of PA students in 1965, and Kettering College followed not far behind. Since 1973, they have been educating exceptional Physician Assistants.
The program faculty have an average of 13.5 years of clinical experience and 5 years of clinical educator experience. Each member of the university’s PA faculty maintains a clinical practice in order to deliver the most up-to-date clinical expertise to the classroom.
96% of students in the class of 2021 were pleased with the level of education provided by the professors.
You can find more information on their official website.
Admission Requirements: the following are requirements to be seriously considered for admission
- Only applications that are completely filled out will be evaluated.
- Having earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally approved university or being on schedule to do so before the next semester begins.
- Prerequisite course completion, with no more than four prerequisite courses outstanding at the time of application.
- Transcripts must show a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all necessary courses, with no grade below a C.
- Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE Code 7341).
- Completion of the Altus Suite/CASPer evaluation.
- Patient Care Hours Completion (250 to 1,000 hours recommended).
- Three letters of recommendation must be submitted.
Tuition: $95,046 for entire program for 2023 cohort.
Lake Erie College PA Program
Lake Erie College has one of Ohio’s best Physician Assistant Programs. They boast of the following achievements :
Since 2016, they have had a 100% PANCE pass rate, with a 98.7% first-time pass rate. The board examination for certified physician assistants was passed by all 152 graduates.
Since 2016, the employment rate for their graduates has been at 100%, which is higher than the national average of 94.8%.
Beautiful, fully remodeled PA Program dedicated suite. Curriculum that is module-based and coordinated with problem-based learning. To better prepare students for clinical medicine, three semesters of dedicated pharmacology courses are synced with the module-based curriculum.
Access to a variety of ultrasound machines, as well as an integrated curriculum that teaches ultrasound technique and application.
You can find out more information about this program here.
Application Requirements: the following criteria must be met to be considered for admission:
- Submission of three letters of recommendation.
- Submission of GRE scores.
- 250 hours of Documented health care experience and a minimum of 24 hours of shadowing experience.
- Submission of all official transcripts.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses.
- The application deadline via CASPA is the 1st of November
Tuition: $94,080.00 for 27 months program
Marietta College PA Program
Marietta College obtained a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in January 2001 to assist begin the master’s program. The “Pioneer” cohort began the 12-month didactic (classroom) and 14-month clinical phase program in 2002, earning a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2004.
Marietta College’s PA department has a graduation rate of 98.6%. Marietta College’s PA program has an overall pass percentage of 99.7% on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
In the last five years, 94% of Marietta College PA program graduates have found work as Pas within six months of graduating. A third of students land jobs with physicians or hospitals where they conducted clinical rotations. Marietta College PA alumni work in a variety of medical disciplines.
You can find out more information on their official website.
Admission Requirements: Applicants must fulfill the following criteria, to be considered for admission.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any discipline.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C and minimum CGPA of 3.0
- GRE test scores.
- Applicants must meet the technical standard of the school.
- Complete the CASPer test and ensure that Marietta College is chosen to receive the results.
Tuition: $83,000 dollars for entire program
Mercy College of Ohio PA Program
The Mercy College of Ohio PA program is intended to give students a graduate-level learning experience that will enable them to become physicians assistants (Pas) who can practice in a variety of clinical settings and provide competent, patient-centered medical care for a wide range of populations while also embracing service, scholarship, and leadership.
The PA space, which is situated at the Mercy College Campus in Toledo, Ohio, has an outpatient exam room suite in addition to a PA-specific classroom, laboratory, and student area.
The simulation lab, inter-professional education, the Anatomage table, and clinical skills labs are additional educational options.
You can find more information here.
Admissions Requirement: Below is the necessary requirements to be considered for admission.
- Bachelor’s degree
- Submission of official transcripts
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.
- 2 letters of recommendation
- GRE test scores
- Patient care/shadowing experience
- Minimum CGPA of 3.0
The deadline for CASPA application is December 1st.
Tuition: $97,560 for entire program
Mount St. Joseph University PA Program
A 12-month classroom component covering anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, genetics, diagnostic lab, EKG, physical exam, and clinical skills is included in this 27-month graduate program.
It includes three student-selected elective rotations in addition to clinical rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, women’s health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and behavioral health. Students complete an extensive summative examination after the clinical phase.
They have an on-campus simulation lab using Simulation IQ, which has an embedded electronic health record and the capacity to capture voice and video. AnatomageTM, a virtual anatomy application, is used in the advanced anatomy lab to supplement cadaver specimens.
Graduates are qualified to sit for the PA National Certification Exam and receive a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.
You can learn more about this program here.
Admission Requirements: you are required to fulfill the following criteria to be considered for admission.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C and minimum CGPA of 3.0.
- Submission of GRE scores.
- 3 letters of recommendation.
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience and 40 hours of shadowing a licensed physician.
- Application opens every April
Tuition: $92,400.00 for the 7 semesters.
Ohio Dominican University PA Program
The PA program at Ohio Dominican is intended for people who are dedicated to assisting others through a compassionate and all-encompassing approach to healthcare.
This is a 27-month curriculum with classroom and clinical phases. Cadaver and simulation labs are located in the state-of-the-art PA Program facility. The institution is proud of its affiliations with hospitals and clinics around Ohio.
On-campus housing is available.
The ODU curriculum trains students in the following areas: practical application of academic principles; clinical skills; critical thinking; effective communication; professionalism; and community service.
The first school in Central Ohio to offer a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Ohio Dominican University, graduated in its first class in the fall of 2014.
Graduates of ODU’s Fall 2019 PA Program had a 98% first-time pass rate on the PANCE.
You can learn more about this program here.
Admission Requirements: applicants must have the following to be considered for admission.
- Minimum of C grade in all prerequisite courses.
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2 letters of recommendation were submitted via CASPA.
- GRE scores.
- The application deadline is October 1st.
Tuition: $86,390 is a total estimated cost for the entire program.
Ohio University PA Program
The seven-semester, 27-month curriculum focuses on primary care in urban and rural, underserved populations in Ohio and Appalachia, and is intended to enable students to work in any clinical setting.
You can learn more about this program here.
Admission Requirements: to be part of this program, you must fulfill the following criteria.
- Minimum of C grade in all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum CGPA of 3.0
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2 letters of recommendation were submitted via CASPA.
- GRE scores.
- Previous healthcare experience
The application closes on the 1st of August.
Tuition: $58,272 for residents and $59,492 for non-residents.
University of Dayton PA Program
As a participant in the UD Master of Physician Assistant Practice program, you’ll develop the skills necessary to work as an experienced, client-focused, and confident advanced practice healthcare professional. Modern technology is combined with traditional hands-on learning in the university’s 27-month, seven-semester, modular curriculum program to give you the greatest possible experience to prepare you for clinical practice.
The goal of the school is to educate physician assistants who are dedicated to serving people by providing skilled, considerate, and moral medical treatment in line with Catholic Marianist tradition.
You can find out more information here.
Admission Requirements: to partake in this program, applicants must have ticked the following boxes.
- Minimum of C grade in all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum CGPA of 3.0
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3 letters of recommendation were submitted via CASPA.
- GRE scores are not required
- 250 hours of previous healthcare experience
- 20 hours of community service experience.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown.
University of Findlay PA Program
This curriculum gives students the medical expertise, practical experience, and exposure they need in a range of didactic and clinical settings to develop into moral, capable, and sympathetic healthcare professionals who work as a team.
Graduates of physician assistant programs should be able to work as health professionals who, if licensed, can practice medicine under the supervision of a physician and attend to patients’ needs in a way that will enhance their quality of life.
Click here to find out more about this program.
Admission Requirements: to partake in this program, applicants need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Minimum of C grade in all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Bachelor’s degree
- Letters of recommendation submitted via CASPA.
- GRE scores are not required
- Previous healthcare experience is not required
Tuition: N/A
University of Mount Union PA Program
Critical thinking, professional problem solving, an awareness of human variety, and ethical leadership are all emphasized in this program. The program’s mission will assist in addressing the local communities’ need for trained healthcare professionals.
Intelligence, the aptitude for calm and reasoned judgment, the ability to comprehend and communicate with people, and a demonstrated dedication to patient care are just a few qualities that make an excellent physician assistant.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Mount Union’s PA program is among the best in the nation. For all first-timers, UMU’s five-year NCCPA PANCE exam pass percentage is 96%. (2016-2020). UMU students have received an average preceptor evaluation professionalism score of 9.77 during the last five years.
You can find more about this program here.
Admission Requirements: To become a part of this program, one must have fulfilled the following criteria.
- Minimum of C grade in all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3 Letters of recommendation were submitted via CASPA.
- GRE score
- 40 hours of shadowing experience.
The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: N/A
University of Toledo PA Program
The Fall Semester (August of each year) will see students admitted to the Physician Assistant Program. On April 25, 2022, the next application period will begin. It will end on September 1 of the year before enrollment.
Early online CASPA and UToledo Supplemental Application submissions are advised. Starting in July and running through October, interviews will be done over the internet. The program offers open enrollment.
Click here to learn more about this program.
Admission Requirements: The following are to be taken seriously before applying.
- Prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or above will be accepted into the program.
- The PA-CAT is highly advised for applicants by the program.
- Although the GRE is no longer required, the program will nevertheless take into account GRE scores if they are presented.
- The minimum requirement for applicants is a Bachelor’s degree with a total GPA of 3.40 and a 3.40 in the sciences.
- Each applicant must finish the Altus Suite as part of their submission.
- It’s not necessary to have formal medical training, observe PAs or other healthcare professionals, or log patient contact hours.
Tuition: N/A
Have you seen the top PA schools in California, their tuition and requirements?
FAQs
What is the easiest PA school to get into?
Barry University Physician Assistant.
Marquette University Physician Assistant School.
Missouri State University PA School.
The George Washington University Physician Assistant School.
Rosalind Franklin University PA School.
How long are PA schools in Ohio?
27-month program with classroom and clinical phases.
How many PA schools are in Ohio?
Ohio houses 13 PA programs.
How many PAS are in Ohio?
In Ohio, there were about 4,430 physician assistants employed in 2018. In 2017, this state employed 3,050 physician assistants. That represents an increase of 1,380 jobs from 2017 to 2018.
Do PA students do clinicals?
Any medical curriculum must include practical clinical experience, which is why PA students do clinical rotations for more than half of the program.
How do I become a PA in Ohio?
- Meet the admissions requirements for physician assistant programs in Ohio.
- Obtain the PA-C credential, which stands for physician assistant certified.
- Receive your Ohio State license.
- Renew the state PA License.
How many credit hours is physician assistant school?
The 87 semester hours of the required curriculum (42 didactics and 45 clinical) must be completed by all students in the order specified for each admitted class.
Does Ohio University have a PA school?
Yes. The curriculum for the physician assistant program at Ohio University is built around seven different course series.
How long is a PA program?
Most master’s degree-granting programs last about 27 months (3 academic years). Both classroom training and clinical rotations are a part of PA programs.
How long does it take to become a physician assistant?
Typically, three years are needed to complete a PA program. As you may anticipate, they involve both clinical and classroom practice. There must be 2,000 hours of clinical rotations in all PA programs, giving students a wide range of clinical experiences.
How do you get into PA schools in Ohio?
The following elements are nearly usually present on a PA school application:
- Proof of completing a bachelor’s degree
- Finishing the needed classes.
- All of the postsecondary universities’ transcripts, if any.
- Detailed summaries of pertinent activity
- GRE rating.
- 3 reference letters.
- A finished personal statement
What is the hardest class in PA school?
Since their sophomore or junior year of undergrad, the majority of new PA students haven’t studied anatomy and physiology.
It’s crucial to review your fundamental knowledge because these two PA school courses are among the toughest you’ll ever take.
Is being a PA worth it?
You will always be in demand if you become a physician assistant. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical assistants have excellent job prospects. By 2029, 31% more people are predicted to work in this field. Compared to other occupations, this one is experiencing faster job growth.
Are Physician Assistants rich?
A PA degree indicates financial success. As a licensed PA, you will earn in the top quartile of Americans, with a projected average annual pay of $115,000 and a median annual salary of $105,000.
What can a PA do in Ohio?
They are able to conduct thorough physical examinations, request and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and start treating patients.
They are additionally educated to provide first aid during surgery, carry out bedside operations, and much more.
Similar to doctors, Pas in Ohio is subject to licensing and regulation by the Ohio State Medical Board. What are your thoughts about these PA schools in Ohio? Please leave a comment below.