A largely agricultural state in the northern-central part of the United States, North Dakota is home to a handful of renowned hospitals and medical facilities, so it makes sense that many individuals who live here eventually want to be involved in the medical field.

But what about aspiring physician assistants (PA)? What are the best PA schools in North Dakota, and which ones will help them reach their career goals? Let’s find out!

Which Schools Offer the Best PA Programs in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, only one university offers an in-person, full-time PA program, and that’s the University of North Dakota.

But if commuting to or living at this school is an issue, an aspiring PA can enroll in one of many online courses to achieve the requisite degree.

Note: Even online programs help the students enrolled in them find necessary real-world clinical experience.

Do PA Programs Have Enrollment Requirements?

PA schools have notoriously high enrollment standards, meaning they only want the best students filling their limited seats.

To be considered for a spot in a well-respected PA program, you must possess an undergraduate degree, ideally in related science, such as biology, organic chemistry, health sciences, nursing, or microbiology.

Your overall GPA should be at least 3.5, and your major GPA should be even higher; if you double-majored, this will be viewed favorably.

Regarding the GRE, you’ll need to score 300 or better; 310 or better, if you want to enroll in a renowned, extremely competitive program.

Participating in extracurricular activities related to the PA field will also be viewed favorably.

What Kinds of PA Programs Are There?

There are three kinds of PA programs, and a student’s learning preferences, goals, abilities, etc. collectively determine which program style is best for them.

In-Person

If you prefer in-person engagement with peers and professors, this kind of program is probably best for you. It’s the most expensive since you’ll need to commute to campus or live on it, but it can be a wholly rewarding experience if you make the most of it.

In these programs, forming relationships with peers and faculty is much easier, and these relationships could one day help you in your career.

Most in-person programs are full-time, meaning school must be your number one priority while you’re enrolled.

Online

Online courses are generally cheaper since there’s no commuting or room and board required, but they’re just as rigorous as in-person programs.

A student can engage with their peers and professors, of course, but since it’s all done remotely, it’s harder to form meaningful relationships; even getting clarifications can be difficult if your professors don’t respond to inquiries quickly.

The great thing about these programs is they offer flexibility; you can study at your own pace and complete work when it’s convenient. Still, you’ll have to meet set deadlines and show up to scheduled class sessions.

Hybrid

Hybrid PA programs combine the best aspects of in-person and online programs.

Basically, you’ll have to attend a certain number of in-person classes each week, but there’s still flexibility regarding how work is completed.

The overall cost of participating in one of these programs is usually more than enrolling in an online program but less than enrolling in an in-person program.

How to Become a Licensed PA in North Dakota

The first step towards becoming a licensed physician assistant is getting a bachelor’s degree in a science that's related to this field.

After you acquire a bachelor’s degree, you have to get a physician assistant master’s, which means you’ll have to apply to PA school.

Once accepted, a degree will take two years (or longer) to get, and you'll need to take a certain amount of didactic courses and complete clinical rotations.

After graduating, you’ll need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), which is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Once you’ve passed the exam, you can apply for licensure in North Dakota.

After you’re licensed, you can go for additional certifications; these will have to be maintained just like your main certification.

Note: Individuals who became physician assistants before a master’s was required can enroll in accelerated PA programs to achieve their degrees.

What’s the Average Income for Physician Assistants in North Dakota?

According to Indeed, physician assistants in North Dakota can make anywhere from $130k to $230k in a year; on ZipRecruiter, they say the range is more like $95k-390k.

Of course, how much a PA makes annually is mainly determined by their experience and qualifications, and where they work also plays a significant role.

Generally, PAs who work in large, metropolitan hospitals earn the most, but PAs can make good money whether they work in a city or far from one.

How Does a PA Stay Certified?

A physician assistant’s certification is in good standing for two years.

During this time, however, the PA will have to complete at least 100 hours of continuing education to be eligible for recertification. Every ten years, they’ll have to pass the PANCE exam.

Additionally, the state where the PA is practicing may have more requirements that must be satisfied.

Choose myPAResource When You Need Help Getting Into Pa School

Getting into PA school is never a cakewalk. After all, there are so many applicants and limited spots, so PA programs are compelled to accept only the best applicants.

If you want to show PA schools that you’ve got what it takes to complete their programs, we can help!

Specifically, we’ll help you with your personal statement and resume so you present yourself in the best possible light.