The goal of the physician assistant program in any of the PA schools in Florida on our list is to train professionals who will extend and complement the skills of doctors in the provision of basic healthcare.
This goal is achieved in a supportive academic and clinical setting that supports the pursuit of excellence in postgraduate medical science instruction, research, and service to the community.
Have you checked out the 13 best PA schools in Ohio? You can also check out the 20 top PA schools in California.
Areas You Will Improve On During Your PA Program
As required by the PA profession, graduates of the physician assistant program will be knowledgeable and skilled in the following fields:
- Medical expertise in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as well as in the fundamental sciences of medicine and pathophysiology.
- Effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, doctors, fellow professionals, and the healthcare system is facilitated by interpersonal and communication skills, which include verbal, nonverbal, and written exchange of information.
- Treatment of health issues and wellness promotion that is effective, patient-centered, efficient, and equitable.
- Professionalism places an emphasis on upholding the values and ideals shared by the helping professions and results in the practice of medicine that is moral, sensitive to the needs of various patient populations, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Practice-based learning and improvement in terms of the capacity to conduct a critical analysis of one’s own practice experience, medical literature, and other information sources with a view to evaluating and enhancing patient care practices.
- Systems-based practices that, within the intricate health care delivery systems, provide the highest quality care at the most advantageous price.
The List of Best PA Schools In Florida
There are 40 public colleges and universities in Florida that provide a variety of courses and opportunities.
However, these are the best PA Schools in Florida.
AdventHealth University PA Program
The goal of the physician assistant program at AdventHealth University is to train competent, caring people who are committed to serving others as spiritually astute healthcare professionals.
The physician assistant program at AdventHealth University is a graduate program that grants a Master of Science in physician assistant studies (MSPAS).
Both the student body and the physician assistant profession must adhere to the program’s commitment to diversity.
People from all socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, and religious backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The AdventHealth University Physician Assistant Studies Degree curriculum is specially created to meet specifications and benchmarks established by the ARC-PA for the successful completion of a physician assistant program.
There are 63 trimester hours of didactic instruction and 44 trimester hours of clinical instruction throughout the 27-month-long curriculum.
Click here to find out more information.
Admission Requirements: The following criteria must be met to be considered for admission.
- A complete CASPA application (Deadline is 1st November)
- Complete supplemental application to the school
- Submission of official Transcripts
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.
- The minimum allowed CGPA is 3.0
- Bachelor’s degree
- Professional essay
- PA-CAT results.
- CASPer test results
- 2000 hours of direct patient care experience
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Shadowing experience is recommended
Tuition: $90,490 is the estimated cost for the entire program and is subject to change.
Barry University PA Program
The Physician Assistant Program at Barry University promotes lifelong learning and professional growth while educating students in the practice of collaborative medicine.
It encourages a technologically advanced atmosphere and offers different patient groups clinical training opportunities. Students can acquire the skills necessary to address the health care needs of modern society through the program.
The Physician Assistant Program at Barry University is committed to creating competent, moral, and caring physician assistants.
A portion of your training as a PA student will be spent in underprivileged and disadvantaged areas, with a focus on primary care.
The program for physician assistants at Barry University:
- Uses cutting-edge technology to deliver interactive videoconferencing for educational purposes (IAV).
- For all students, it offers a 40-hour total immersion medical Spanish course.
- It offers the chance to complete clinical rotations in various underserved locations.
- There are many different kinds of students on the two campuses.
- It has close ties to local hospitals and medical institutions in Miami and St. Petersburg.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: The following criteria must be fulfilled for you to be considered for admission.
- A complete CASPA application (Deadline is 1st December)
- Submission of official Transcripts
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.
- The minimum allowed CGPA is 3.0
- Bachelor’s degree
- Professional essay
- CASPer test results
- Hours of direct patient care experience
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Shadowing experience is recommended
- GRE scores
Tuition: For a breakdown, click here.
Florida Golf Coast University PA Program
The first 15 months of the curriculum are spent on campus learning about anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, and clinical skills.
Four-week supervised clinical rotations at healthcare facilities off campus are the focus of the following 12 months.
Primary-care medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, general surgery, and emergency medicine make up the core clinical rotations.
Based on the requirements of the program and the student’s preferences, three selective rotations will be set up.
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Admission Requirements: Applicants must submit an application online with this link.
- A complete CASPA application (Deadline is 15th of January)
- Complete supplemental application to the school.
- Submission of official Transcripts.
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B.
- The minimum allowed CGPA is 3.0.
- Bachelor’s degree
- Professional essay
- PACKRAT results.
- MPAS results
- Hours of direct patient care experience
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Shadowing experience is recommended
Tuition: Click here to find out
Florida International University PA Program
In order to prepare students for collaborative practice as a physician assistant, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine’s Master in Physician Assistant Studies program offers a wide, interdisciplinary curriculum.
The curriculum cultivates a culture that values diversity, clinical innovation, and research while training community-based, socially responsible doctors, scientists, and healthcare workers.
Students will develop leadership skills to comprehend the significance of effectively interacting with patients and the healthcare staff.
Click here to find out more.
Admission Requirements: Complete the following requirements before submitting your application.
- Baccalaureate degree
- Overall GPA and Science GPA of 3.0
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) standardized test
- Three letters of recommendation
- Prerequisite courses
- 1000 hours of Direct patient care experience and shadowing experience.
- Completion of the online assessment CASPer
Tuition: $91,172.40 for resident students and $93,564.63 for non-resident students.
Florida State University PA Program
The 111 credit hour, seven-semester, 27-month curriculum at this university was created to prepare graduates to practice medicine as a member of the Physician-PA Team.
Graduates will get a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice degree after finishing.
The PA program at Florida State University is quite difficult and places a lot of focus on biomedical sciences, simulation, and procedural skills.
Even if it may be difficult, you will discover a friendly atmosphere and an unmatched network of support offered by an inter-professional TEAM who is dedicated to your academic and professional success.
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Admission Requirements: Only those who have fulfilled the following criteria will be considered.
- Verified CASPA application with supplemental questions
- Official GRE scores
- Payment of supplemental application fee
- All required prerequisite coursework completed
- Completed minimum of 500 direct patient care hours
- Completed CASPer test
- Bachelor Degree
- 3.0 CGPA as minimum
Tuition: $64,887.00 for residents and $74,889.00 for non-residents.
3.6 Gannon University-Ruskin PA Program
A post-baccalaureate program leading to a Master of Physician Assistant Science degree is offered by the physician assistant department at the Ruskin Campus. The final year of the program’s curriculum is primarily clinical.
Benefits of Education in this Area
- The Program has a curriculum that is intended to offer didactic classroom experiences through both conventional and online training.
- Interprofessional connections with Gannon’s other allied health programs are possible.
- Numerous clinical education opportunities in the area offer practical training and experiential learning
- In a variety of patient care settings, you will work together with a range of healthcare specialists.
- The faculty members work on intellectual projects and provide services to the school, industry, and community.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: The following criteria must be met before you are considered for admission.
- A bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is necessary.
- GPA in science courses must be at least 3.0.
- Pre-requisites courses must be finished within the last 10 years.
- Recommendation forms from three evaluators.
- 30 hours of shadowing or direct medical experience.
- Completion of Altus-Suite
- CV and Transcript Submission
The deadline for CASPA application is the 1st of December.
Tuition: $127,340 for entire 6 semesters.
Keiser University PA Program
The Keiser University Physician Assistant (PA) program maintains a top-notch staff to assist students in becoming compassionate healthcare professionals and learning the subjects required to get ready for future employment as Pas.
Learning takes place in settings including classrooms, labs, and clinical settings where students can gain practical, hands-on training.
The Keiser University Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to giving students the knowledge and abilities needed for successful employment in the healthcare industry.
The school and the PA program provide high-quality academic and career education in a setting that promotes individualized treatment.
Beginning in January 2010, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program at Keiser University offered courses that covered fundamental clinical and medical expertise.
The student can anticipate a demanding curriculum throughout the first 12 months of the program, which will include lectures, activities, practical lab sessions, interpretation of medical literature, case presentations, case-based learning, and laboratories for critical thinking.
A subsequent clinical training year of 12 months will be added to the program.
Clinical rotations in urban and rural healthcare settings will provide intensive hands-on instruction.
Please click here for more info.
Admission Requirements: The following requirements are to be met to be considered for admission.
- A bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation.
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 is necessary.
- Pre-requisites courses must be finished.
- Recommendation forms from three evaluators
- Hours of shadowing or direct medical experience
- Transcript Submission
Tuition: $92,567.68 for entire program.
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale PA Program
There are 14 full-time instructors for this program.
Each year, program classes average 70–75 students, maintaining a student-faculty ratio of roughly 5:1.
The program works to achieve greatness and help students realize their full potential by leveraging the tools provided by the College of Health Care Sciences.
The school is proud of its alumni, who have over 1,400 degrees from this program and are currently working in various areas of medicine as well as being actively involved in politics and leadership roles.
The program works hard to fulfill its objectives and mission.
They strive to develop skilled primary care physician assistants, enhance the provision of healthcare in underserved communities, and advance the physician assistant profession.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, one must fulfill the following criteria.
- A bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is necessary.
- Pre-requisites courses must be finished.
- Recommendation forms from three evaluators.
- Hours of shadowing or direct medical experience.
- Transcript Submission.
Tuition: $87,875
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Myers PA Program
The program is located in a cutting-edge, 60,000-square-foot facility in Fort Myers, Florida, which is easily accessible from I-75 through exit 136 (Colonial Boulevard).
Ten full-time academic members, including a full-time medical director, work for the NSU PA Program in Fort Myers at the moment.
The program can provide a low student to instructor ratio due to its maximum enrollment of 60 students.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered by this school, one must fulfill the following criteria.
- A bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is necessary.
- Pre-requisites courses must be finished.
- Recommendation forms from three evaluators.
- Hours of shadowing or direct medical experience
- Transcript Submission
Tuition: $87,875
Nova Southeastern University, Jacksonville PA Program
Jacksonville’s physician assistant program provides top-notch instruction thanks to the faculty’s vast professional backgrounds.
There can be an extremely low student-to-professor ratio according to the annual limit enrolment of 60 students.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: To be considered by this school, one must fulfill the following criteria.
- A bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is necessary.
- Pre-requisites courses must be finished.
- Recommendation forms from three evaluators
- Hours of shadowing or direct medical experience
- Transcript Submission
Tuition: $87,875
Nova Southeastern University, Orlando PA Program
The Orlando Physician Assistant Program provides educational excellence thanks to the vast experience of its instructors and the state-of-the-art facilities housed on the school’s 60,000-square-foot campus.
The Orlando program’s maximum enrolment of 64 admitted students ensures a very low student-to-instructor ratio.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered by this school, one must fulfill the following criteria.
- A bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is necessary.
- Pre-requisites courses must be finished.
- Recommendation forms from three evaluators.
- Hours of shadowing or direct medical experience.
- Transcript Submission
Tuition: $87,875
South University PA Program, Tampa
The physician assistant courses offered by this university give students the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes needed to work as medical professionals who will be valued members of the healthcare team under the supervision of a physician.
Once they have completed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), created by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, graduates of South University’s physician assistant program are qualified to pursue licensure in all 50 states in the United States.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: the following criteria must be met before applying.
- Complete the CASPA online application and upload your GRE results as well as all of your transcripts. August 1 is the deadline.
- A obtained bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university with regional accreditation is required of applicants.
- An applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher as determined by the CASPA service.
- On the CASPA application, at least three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Tuition: $90,000.00
South University PA Program, West Palm Beach
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program at South University West Palm Beach instills fundamental medical concepts and equips students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking needed to become clinically competent healthcare providers and valuable members of the healthcare team.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: the following criteria must be met before applying.
- Complete the CASPA online application and upload your GRE results as well as all of your transcripts. August 1 is the deadline.
- An obtained bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university with regional accreditation is required of applicants.
- An applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher as determined by the CASPA service.
- On the CASPA application, at least three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Tuition: $90,000.00
University of Florida PA Program
The University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies is a 24-month, full-time, continuous program that only takes new students once a year for the late June start date.
The program aims to equip physician assistants with a wide range of medical and surgical knowledge and abilities as well as the training necessary to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to a variety of patient demographics while working under the supervision of a licensed physician.
Over two-thirds of the 2,500 graduates from the UF School of Physician Assistant Studies have chosen to continue their clinical training in Florida.
Click here to find out more
Admission Requirements: To be part of this program, you must fulfill these requirements.
- Complete the CASPA online application and upload your GRE results as well as all of your transcripts. The deadline is September 1st.
- 2000 hours of direct care patients experience.
- An obtained bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university with regional accreditation is required of applicants.
- An applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher as determined by the CASPA service.
- On the CASPA application, at least three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Tuition: click here to see the breakdown.
University of South Florida PA Program
The USF MCOM PA Program works hard to find, keep, and graduate highly qualified applicants from a variety of backgrounds.
The admissions committee of the school will go into each applicant’s transcripts, GPA, GRE, job history in the medical field, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses, and personal essays.
They aim to enroll students who will excel in the classroom, enhance the learning environment, and provide patients with quality healthcare.
For applicants interested in USF Health’s graduate and professional programs, including the PA Program, the Office of Admissions and Outreach is a great resource.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, make sure you are not defaulting in any area below.
- Complete the CASPA online application and upload your GRE results as well as all of your transcripts. Deadline is September 1st.
- 500 hours of direct care patients experience.
- An obtained bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university with regional accreditation is required of applicants.
- An applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher as determined by the CASPA service.
- On the CASPA application, at least three letters of recommendation must be provided.
Tuition: $68,166 for residents and $129,066 for non-residents.
University of Tampa PA Program
The Master of Physician Assistant Medicine (MPAM) degree is the result of the graduate-level physician assistant program at the University of Tampa.
The course offers a thorough examination of disease processes, diagnosis, and therapy in accordance with the conventional medical training approach.
In seven semesters of full-time study, students complete their degree in 27 months.
This program’s advantages include:
- It is located in the stunning Tampa Bay region, which is well-known for its beaches, arts, music scene, museums, sports, business communities, and outdoor activities all year long.
- Faculty members have a variety of clinical backgrounds and are skilled educators.
- Low student-faculty ratios in lab courses enable individualized guidance and mentorship during experiential learning.
- Using the cutting-edge Anatomage table and SynDaver cadaver, the curriculum offers practical human cadaver dissection in addition to virtual dissection and advanced radiology instruction.
- One hundred percent of clinical rotations are located within the Central Florida region.
- The 30,000-square-foot, cutting-edge PA facility opened its doors in the fall of 2018.
- A simulation center with high-fidelity simulators and standardized patients is part of the PA facility.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: You must fulfill the following criteria before applying.
- A complete CASPA application (Deadline is 1st November)
- Submission of official Transcripts
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.
- The minimum allowed CGPA is 3.0
- Bachelor’s degree
- Professional essay
- PA-CAT results.
- CASPer test results
- Sufficient hours of direct patient care experience
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Shadowing experience is recommended
Tuition: $107,114 estimated.
FAQs
Are there any PA schools in Florida?
Out of all the PA programs in Florida, Florida State University has the best program.
It stands out from the other schools on this list due to its reasonable tuition and outstanding educational standards. Despite being somewhat new, FSU’s PA program has already earned recognition in the industry.
How long is PA school in Florida?
A continuous 24-month, full-time program, the University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies only takes on new students once a year.
Does Florida State have a good PA program?
Best Value Schools has named the Florida State University School of Physician Assistant Practice as the top PA program in the state for 2021.
Which PA school is the easiest to get into?
Currently, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science’s PA program is the easiest to get into; to apply, you only need a 2.75 GPA.
How much a PA makes in Florida?
The average salary for a physician assistant is $97,507 per year in Florida.
What type of physician assistants make the most money?
According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants Salary Report, the highest-paid physician assistant specialty in 2020 was cardiovascular/cardiothoracic surgery.
How do I become a PA in Florida?
- For licensure, pick the best Florida physician assistant programs.
- Apply for a Florida physician assistant license after passing the physician assistant national certification exam (PANCE).
- Keep your license up to date.
Is it hard to get into UF PA school?
Each year, UF PA interviews an average of 145 highly qualified candidates.
How many candidates are chosen to join a new class?
The School chooses the top 60 candidates from interviews to make up the incoming class.