In this article, we will be looking at all available PA schools in Pennsylvania and the PA programs they offer. This arrangement is in no particular order, it is up to you to decide which of the schools best suits you, based on the description given and requirements.
The physician assistant (PA) is a primary healthcare practitioner that can practice medicine under the legal direction of a doctor if they have completed an accredited curriculum, are nationally certified, and hold a valid state license.
Physical examinations, sickness diagnosis and treatment, ordering and interpreting lab tests, aiding in surgery, performing surgeries, conducting hospital rounds, prescribing medications, and patient education are just a few of the many tasks carried out by Pas.
The main objective of the PA Program is to produce graduates who are capable, compassionate physician assistants with the ability to learn new things on the job and adapt to a dynamic medical environment. Before we give more details on the PA schools in Pennsylvania, let us look at the employment outlook for physician assistants.
Employment Outlook
Employment in PA is anticipated to increase much more quickly than the average for all occupations. Physician Assistants (PAs) should have plenty of job prospects, especially at healthcare facilities in inner cities and rural areas.
From 2018 to 2028, the employment of PAs is anticipated to expand by 31%, which is substantially faster than the average for all occupations.
The emphasis on cost control and the expansion of the healthcare sector are reflected in the projected rapid job growth, which leads to a rise in the usage of PAs by healthcare facilities.
PAs are efficient and effective healthcare team members.
In addition to regular office occupations, PAs have more opportunities to work in institutions including hospitals, academic medical centers, public clinics, and jails.
Jobs for Pas should be plentiful, especially in urban and rural clinics where it might be difficult to recruit physicians. Both employment growth and the need to replace Pas who retire or leave the field permanently will result in job opportunities. States that give Pas a greater range of practice options will offer the best opportunities. Now let’s look at the list of best PA schools in Pennsylvania.
The List of Best PA Schools In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 260 colleges and institutions that make up its higher education system.
Among these, there are 74 for-profit private institutions, 124 non–profit private schools, and 62 public institutions.
Without further ado, below are the best PA programs in Pennsylvania.
Arcadia University PA Program
Through individualized attention, superior training, a wide range of clinical experiences, and a dedication to excellence, Arcadia’s Physician Assistant (PA) program gives students from all over the country the building blocks for professional success.
In order to do this, the program has maintained a consistently high overall pass percentage on the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants board examinations, with an average program pass rate of 99% for first-time test takers over the past five years.
Why Is This One Of The Best Pa Schools In Pennsylvania?
- There are two campuses where this program is offered: Christiana, Del., and Glenside, Pa.
- At Glenside Campus, they provide the opportunity for dual degrees in medical science (M.M.S., M.P.H.) for physician assistants.
- In addition to the protected human cadaver experience, they provide technologically enhanced 3D anatomy visualization tables for anatomy and physiology teaching.
- Over the span of two years, they participate in clinical simulation exercises with standardized patients, training models, and numerous opportunities to practice clinical skills and procedures.
- The program’s didactic and clinical phases offer chances for service and global engagement.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- GRE or MCAT scores
- 3 letters of recommendation
- The deadline for application is 1st of October.
Tuition: $16,455 per semester (there are 6 semesters)
Chatham University PA Program
The 85-credit Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at Chatham University is aimed at creating highly qualified and capable healthcare professionals.
You will finish two didactic terms in the first year of the program before moving on to clinical rotations in the second year. Your second year will come to a conclusion with a return to campus to finish your coursework.
The School of Health Sciences at Chatham houses the MPAS program. The School of Health Sciences has established a solid reputation for producing highly sought-after medical specialists.
With high rates of first-time certification and advanced clinical aptitude, graduates start their jobs prepared to fulfill patient demands and improve the standard of care that their organizations provide.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of B in all prerequisite courses.
- CASPer score
- 3 letters of recommendation
- The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: $17,151 per term for 6 terms.
Desales University PA Program
The DeSales MSPAS has a cutting-edge curriculum with some of the most advanced learning and training environments available today.
Experience a timely curriculum that emphasizes practical application and experience learning while instilling a caring and compassionate attitude toward others.
The two-year, 99-credit DeSales MSPAS program is divided into didactic courses in year one and clinical rotations in year two.
Graduates of DeSales University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies are expected to be committed to the patient’s overall wellbeing and aware of the university’s Christian humanistic traditions.
This school offers both a 5-Year, Direct Entry BS-MSPAS Program and a 24-Month Master’s Level Graduate Program.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- GRE score
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of December.
Tuition: $14,750 per semester for 6 semesters.
Drexel University PA Program
The Drexel University Physician Assistant program continues to thrive in producing qualified physician assistant students by placing a strong emphasis on honesty, respect for difference, cooperation, patient advocacy, and community involvement.
Graduates of the physician assistant program at Drexel University receive a Master of Health Science degree.
Graduates are qualified to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination after successfully completing the program.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- GRE scores are not required.
- Curriculum vitae
- 2 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of September.
Tuition: click here to see the breakdown.
Duquesne University PA Program
The first five-year, entry-level master’s degree program in the country is the Physician Assistant Studies program at Duquesne. The faculty members are both educators and working people, so they are aware of the potential benefits of this special curriculum to you.
Both a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree are awarded to students who successfully complete the five-year program.
The course is finished in two stages. The solid scientific foundation required for academic achievement in the accredited student phase is provided by prerequisite courses taken over the duration of the three-year pre-professional phase.
With more than 800 successful program alumni, Duquesne University is known for producing clinical practitioners that are well competent.
Click here to see more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Strong math and science skill
- Leadership qualities
- Demonstration of knowledge of the PA Profession
- A minimum Q.P.A. of at least 3.0
- A minimum of seven units of math and science
- A supplementary list or CV should highlight your high school extracurricular involvement and leadership.
- Submission of a personal essay that includes a statement about who you are, a justification for choosing Duquesne University, and why you want to become a physician assistant.
- The deadline for application is the 1st of December
Tuition: $298,324 for a 5-year program and this is subject to change.
Gannon University PA Program
The Physician Assistant Program at Gannon University is a five-year, entry-level Master’s degree program.
Graduates become licensed and certified health professionals who can work as a team with other healthcare professionals to practice medicine.
In primary and specialized care settings in medical and surgical practice settings, they offer a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services.
“Entry level” students enroll at Gannon University as freshmen, complete the five-year program, and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Master of Physician Assistant Science.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Complete Altus-suite
- 30 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 15th of November.
Tuition: Click here to see the total breakdown.
King’s College PA Program
The King’s College Department of Physician Assistant Studies has been training students for the PA profession since 1975.
With more than 45 years of experience, the department offers sophisticated didactic and clinical training in all areas of general medicine.
Over a thousand physician assistants who work in all branches of medicine across the nation are graduates of King’s College.
Applicants Entering As First-year Students
Six semesters of pre-professional coursework must be finished by students in the five-year BS/MS program.
The five-year plan is divided into two components:
- Three years before becoming a professional.
- Two years of professional training.
Students receive the following after successfully completing the first four years of the program:
- A Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Studies.
- A Biology Minor
Students who successfully complete the two-year professional phase:
- Earn a master’s degree in physician assistant studies (M.S.P.A.S.).
The Professional Program
This phase lasts for 24 months and starts with 12 months of didactic training in all facets of general medicine. Early on, direct patient interactions become the main focus of training during the twelve months of clinical instruction.
Click here to see more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- GRE scores are not required.
- Curriculum vitae
- 2 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: Click here to see a complete breakdown.
Lock Haven University PA Program
A physician assistant certificate and a master’s degree in health sciences are the results of the 24-month curriculum at LHU. Three locations offer the LHU PA Program:
- Lock Haven Campus
- Clearfield Campus
- Harrisburg Campus
A high-quality and reasonably priced educational opportunity is provided through the program.
You will focus your study on the treatment of underprivileged people in addition to the fundamental PA education you will get at all college sites.
The curriculum makes use of a teaching methodology based on modules. More than 94% of first-time success percentage on the NCCPA board test is achieved through extensive use of small-group learning, service learning techniques, and a variety of clinical experiences.
It is anticipated that this curriculum will lead to a Pennsylvania certification.
Click here to see more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of B in all prerequisite courses.
- GRE scores (300 combined and 3.5 in analytical writing)
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: $61,947 and $88,157 for resident s and non-residents respectively.
Marywood University PA Program
The Marywood University Physician Assistant (PA) program is dedicated to providing students with the best possible preparation for careers as primary care and specialized healthcare providers in a range of healthcare settings.
The Keith O’Neill Center for Healthy Families is where the physician assistant program is located. It has a modern classroom with an amphitheater design that is tech-ready.
The Physical Assessment Lab (PAL) has 22 exam tables and 5 private exam rooms for hands-on instruction and testing of individual physical examination and history-taking methods.
Additionally, there are training models of all kinds, X-ray view boxes, and operating room scrub sinks.
At Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, located two miles from campus, PA students complete the Gross Anatomy Lab.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of B in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience (50 hours shadowing)
- The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown.
Mercyhurst University PA Program
Mercyhurst University’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies is at the forefront of training Pas; it stresses leadership and professional excellence through a 24-month program.
Additionally, the PA program trains Mercyhurst students to champion the public’s right to quality healthcare by teaching them to promote fair practices, laws, and standards in the healthcare industry.
The basic scientific review session, introductory coursework, and the beginning of clinical skills instruction all come first in the curriculum sequencing. The fall and spring semesters of the didactic year will teach health care sciences using a medical model.
The community will also be intermittently introduced to Mercyhurst students through practical experiences in local hospitals, nursing homes, and doctor’s offices.
The majority of the clinical year for PA students will be spent off campus, with students returning to campus for the final two days of the rotation for case presentations, lectures, clinical and written testing, and debriefing of the experience.
A two-week on-campus course will make up the Summative Evaluation Experience, which will help students get ready for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- GRE scores
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 200 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of December.
Tuition: $109,113, this is subject to change.
Misericordia University PA Program
The Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program provides students with a solid foundation in medical knowledge, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, professional behavior, and clinical and technical abilities in order to prepare them for an inter-professional workplace.
The competencies that the curriculum and programs specify have been created to satisfy their mission statement, which is to mentor and educate our students so they can become capable and caring physician assistants.
22 didactic year courses and 9 clinical year courses make up the program, which has a total graduate credit value of 105.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of B in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of April.
Tuition: $105,315 for entire program.
Penn State University PA Program
Each May, 30 students are accepted into the Physician Assistant program at Penn State College of Medicine, a 24-month, full-time graduate program with 101 credits.
A Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree will be presented to students who successfully complete the PA Program. May 2016 saw the graduation of their first class.
Results of the PANCE, or Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, are reported annually by the physician assistant program at Penn State College of Medicine.
The test was 100% first-time pass for students through 2021.
Click here to see more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 15th of January.
Tuition: $64,111 for the first year.
Pennsylvania College of Technology PA Program
This program will test your ability to think critically, show compassion when caring for others, and express yourself clearly. It is as demanding as it is rewarding.
You will gain practical experience in the cadaver lab throughout your first semester, dissecting and analyzing the many parts of the human body. You can then study everything from pharmacology and cardiology to women’s and children’s health.
You’ll get a sneak peek at options to think about after graduation thanks to a series of supervised clinical practice experiences in many fields.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- CASPer and Altus Suite scores
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 316 hours of direct patient care experience with minimum 16 shadowing hours
- The deadline for application is the 15th of January.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine PA Program
The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program at PCOM offers students a thorough academic and clinical medical education to get them ready for careers as healthcare professionals.
PCOM provides a vibrant learning environment where educators and students frequently engage and work together. All of the full-time PA program professors are currently or have previously worked as physician assistants, so they all bring a variety of viewpoints and experiences to the table.
Numerous practical experiences, beginning early in the course of their education, are also beneficial to PA students.
They train at contemporary medical facilities for clinical rotations, collaborate with patient-actors who play patients with unique medical histories and gain from clinician-patient interactions during supervised clinical practice sessions.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 200 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of December.
Tuition: $183,018 for entire program.
Jefferson University East Falls Campus PA Program
The Jefferson Physician Assistant Program’s goal is to equip students with the fundamental information, practical skills, and critical thinking required to perform the duties of the profession competently, ethically, and compassionately while collaborating with a certified practicing physician.
Preparing students to offer comprehensive medical care to a variety of underserved patient populations in inner-cities and rural areas is a secondary goal.
The Didactic and Clinical components of the Physician Assistant Program last for a continuous 25 months of study.
Three semesters of medically relevant classroom and laboratory work, with some clinical encounters, make up the Didactic year.
Before beginning the clinical year, students must satisfactorily finish all of their didactic courses. In the clinical year, students complete 10 rotations of five weeks each in various medical facilities, including hospitals and doctor’s offices, to gain significant practical experience.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Complete supplemental application
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of B in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 200 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: $49,534 per year
Saint Francis University PA Program
Saint Francis University, a pioneer in the field of physician assistant science education, will train you to become a licensed physician assistant through an accredited direct admit program, an accelerated 5-year format, or after earning your bachelor’s degree (2-year format).
Saint Francis University, one of the pioneers in the field of physician assistant education, is well renowned across the country for its graduates’ high levels of clinical proficiency, professionalism, and compassion as well as their high PANCE pass rates.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Complete supplemental application
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of B in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 100 hours of direct patient care experience (including 40 hours of shadowing)
- The deadline for application is the 1st of September.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown.
Salus University PA Program
Their competitive, full-time, 25-month PA program equips graduates to enter one of the industries with the greatest rate of growth in the nation and play crucial roles in the modern healthcare delivery team. Students who complete the program successfully are awarded a Master of Medical Science degree.
Students in the Salus University PA program understand the need of caring not only for but also about patients because the curriculum is patient-centered, adopts a primary care philosophy, and takes a holistic approach.
Their top-notch faculty is approachable and dedicated to students’ personal and professional growth.
The program’s core components include early and thorough clinical training as well as creative instruction using small groups and case-based learning.
The second year is entirely devoted to clinical rotations that give experiences in both main and specialized care professions providing direct patient care.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Complete supplemental application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Minimum of C in all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae.
- GRE score.
- 3 letters of recommendation.
- 300 hours of direct patient care experience (including 20 hours of shadowing)
- The deadline for application is the 1st of December.
Tuition: Click here for more information.
Seton Hill University PA Program
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program at Seton Hill lasts 27 months, starting in January and ending in May.
Students gain knowledge from Seton Hill’s top faculty during the first 15 months of the graduate program through lectures, hands-on lab sessions, case presentations, problem-based learning sessions, and off-campus clinical experiences.
Each student receives instruction in and certification for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules.
A clinical training year that includes clinical rotations at healthcare facilities marks the program’s culmination. Each student also participates in research.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Complete supplemental application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Complete all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- GRE score
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 300 hours of direct patient care experience
- The deadline for application is the 15th of January.
Tuition: $16,733 per semester
Slippery Rock University PA Program
Students can become ready for a fulfilling future as physician assistants by enrolling in SRU’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program (PA). Pas are qualified and trained to assess patients, identify illnesses and injuries, and administer care.
The 24-month Physician Assistant Studies program at SRU provides students with a cutting-edge and comprehensive learning environment in both the classroom and the clinic.
Faculty members deliver multimodal instruction while utilizing cutting-edge teaching techniques, such as team instruction, inter-professional outreach collaboration in distinctive learning environments, on-campus course delivery, and hands-on patient experience utilizing technology with simulation and standardized patients.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Complete supplemental application
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Complete all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 100 hours of direct patient care experience
- 50 Hours of PA shadowing.
- The deadline for application is the 1st of December.
Tuition: $86,472.56 and $119,341.67 for resident and non-residents respectively.
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine PA Program
The Master of Medical Science (MMS) program is intended to be finished in about 26 months. The Pre-clinical Curriculum (14 months) and the Clinical Curriculum are the two main divisions (12 months).
Candidates for the PA program have a special, highly sought-after choice in their School of Medicine’s PA training program, which has a reputation for quality in medical science, clinical instruction, and unmatched devotion to the urban, underserved community.
Training exceptional Pas who will improve patient care in the community of North Philadelphia and beyond, facilitating an innovative curriculum through the use of inter-professional exercises, and utilizing current School of Medicine faculty, clinical training, and physical plant resources are all goals of this Masters in Medical Science program.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Complete supplemental application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Complete all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- GRE or MCAT score
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 400 hours of direct patient care experience
- 100 Hours of PA shadowing.
- Deadline for application is 15th of January.
Tuition: $90,445 and $94,744 for resident and non-residents respectively.
Thomas Jefferson University PA Program
The Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Jefferson’s Center City Campus is a rigorous 102-credit program that lasts for 27 months.
A 12-month period of supervised clinical rotations spread across seven semesters follows a 15-month period of didactic coursework in the continuous curriculum.
The Didactic Year consists of 15 months of in-person instruction. Lectures, small-group discussions, practice sessions for practical skills, and simulations are all attended by students.
Students must pass the didactic Comprehensive Examination and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to advance to the clinical year. They also need to pass all didactic phase courses.
A 12-month period of supervised clinical rotations and ongoing coursework make up the clinical year.
Eight clinical rotations worth of credit, each lasting five weeks, will be completed by the students.
A student must successfully complete all prerequisite courses and rotations, keep a cumulative GPA of 3.0, pass the program’s summative evaluation as well as the didactic Comprehensive Examination, and adhere to all program, school, and university rules in order to graduate from the PA program.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Complete all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 200 hours of direct patient care experience
- Hours of PA shadowing recommended
- The deadline for application is the 1st of October.
Tuition: N/A
University of Pittsburgh PA Program
In this curriculum, case-based individual and group exercises, hands-on skill laboratories, and traditional didactic lectures are combined with outside-the-classroom learning opportunities.
During your clinical year, it offers excellent clinical placements, including an optional rotation.
You receive expertise in a variety of medical, surgical, and clinical settings thanks to a special partnership with UPMC, one of the most prominent academic medical institutes in the U.S.
You become prepared to take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) exam thanks to your two years of training.
As a qualified physician assistant, you will practice medicine under the direction of a physician, work with other members of the healthcare team, and be a steadfast ally in promoting the health and wellbeing of patients.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Complete all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 500 hours of direct patient care experience
- Hours of PA shadowing recommended
- The deadline for application is 1st of September.
Tuition: $90,936 and $108,076 for resident and non-residents respectively.
3.23 University of the Sciences
The Physician Assistant Studies Department at Saint Joseph’s University will give you the knowledge and abilities required to have an immediate influence on patients’ lives as a PA.
You can study how to diagnose illnesses, create and carry out treatment plans, help in operations, carry out procedures, and counsel patients through the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
You will be equipped to provide a wide range of medical services as a physician assistant after completing this 24-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program, including acute patient care, research, and education.
Through this physician assistant graduate program, you’ll develop into a leader and pioneer in this lucrative and quickly expanding medical field.
You’ll learn how to obtain medical histories, conduct exams, assess lab results, and give health advice.
In addition, you’ll put your knowledge into practice by working with patients of all ages in the Greater Philadelphia region and nearby states over the course of nine clinical rotations lasting 45 weeks, all under the supervision of a doctor or a certified PA.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, ensure you have the following.
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on 4.0 scale.
- Complete CASPA application.
- Official transcripts from previously attended institutions.
- Complete all prerequisite courses.
- Curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- 350 hours of direct patient care experience
- Hours of PA shadowing recommended
- Deadline for application is 15th of January.
Tuition: $50,000 per year.
Now, let us look at questions relating to PA schools in Pennsylvania that people often ask.
FAQs
What is the #1 college in PA?
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is a top-ten university in the country and an Ivy League institution.
Is PA school easier than MD?
If GPA were the only factor, it would be possible to argue that MD programs are more difficult to get into than PA programs but by a very small margin.
Is PA school or med school harder?
Medical school is significantly easier than PA school. Compared to medical school, PA classes are longer and more in-depth, yet they must be completed in half the time.
When compared to PA schools, medical schools offer classes for 2-3 hours every day. While PA lectures are typically obligatory attendance, medical school classes are totally voluntary.
Is PA school harder to get into than med school?
Compared to PA schools, medical schools have greater acceptance rates. Only 33% of applicants received acceptance letters from PA schools in 2016–17, compared to 41% for MD schools in 2018–19 and 35% for DO medical schools in the same year.
How difficult is PA school?
Physician assistant programs, like many other medical institutions, are notoriously difficult for most students to get into.
The PAEA reports that 20% is often the acceptance percentage for PA schools.
What is the best school district in PA?
The greatest public school district in Pennsylvania is Tredyffrin/Easttown School District. T/E, which consists of eight schools and has a student body of over 6,000, produced 48 National AP Scholars in 2019 and had a college or university attendance rate of 99% for its high school grads.
Is Penn State better than Pittsburgh?
Pitt is ranked 59th and Penn State is ranked 63rd in the list of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2022.
Why become a PA instead of a doctor?
Physician assistants spend less time and money on education than their MD counterparts, have more options to change specialties, and routinely report high levels of job satisfaction, employment security, and work-life balance.
Who makes more money PA or nurse practitioners?
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants both receive competitive pay and benefits.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual compensation for Pas was $112,260 ($53.97 per hour), while the median annual salary for NPs was $115,800 ($55.67 per hour).
Does what PA school you go to matter?
It makes no difference where you attend school. The “best” PA is not necessarily produced by the “best” school, and vice versa.
There are many other elements at play, but it might open doors for an interview or employment (although I haven’t seen this). No matter where you apply, getting into PA school is NOT simple. Do you have suggestions about these PA schools in Pennsylvania? Please leave a comment below.