You might be wondering — does Pennsylvania have good Physician Assistant (PA) Schools? The answer is yes! There are many great PA programs located throughout the state.
You also might be thinking, what are the requirements? What should I look for to know a good Physician Assistant (PA) School? The answer is it depends.
In the article, we will try to answer some of these questions. We will give you an overview of what to look for when choosing a Physician Assistant (PA) school in Pennsylvania. And also highlight some of the best PA schools located in Pennsylvania.
What are some factors to look for when choosing a PA School?
Accreditation
The NCCPA is the accrediting body for PA programs. Schools that the NCCPA does not accredit may not be recognized by state medical boards, limiting your ability to get licensed and practice as a PA.
Cost of attendance
This is an essential factor to consider. Some PA programs can be pretty expensive, so you'll want to make sure you can afford the tuition and other associated costs before you apply.
Location
Some people prefer to stay close to home for their PA education, while others are open to attending school anywhere in the country. There are great PA programs located all over Pennsylvania, so you should be able to find one that meets your needs.
Program length
This is another critical consideration. Most Physician assistant programs are about 27 months long, but some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in 21 months. Others go even up to 60 months.
Graduation rates
You'll want to make sure the PA program you choose has a high graduation rate. This information is typically available on the school's website.
PANCE scores
PANCE Scores are essential metrics to look at when choosing a PA school. The PANCE requires students to pass this exam to become licensed and certified to practice as a PA. Schools with higher PANCE scores typically have better job placement rates for their graduates.
The Best PA Schools in Pennsylvania
Duquesne University
This program offered by Duquesne University's School of Health Science provides Master's students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become reliable professionals in primary care. It is a five-year program with an acceptance rate standing at 71%.
To be eligible for the Penn state PA program, you must enroll as a freshman and have a Q.P.A of 3.0 or higher. However, a higher score increases your chances of admission. The program takes 60 months to complete.
The PANCE pass rate is 96%, and the job placement rate is 100%. The average salary of alumni three years after graduation is $110,000.
The tuition for this school is $46,090 per year.
Drexel University
Drexel University's Master of Health Science - Physician Assistant program is designed to produce graduates who are competent and caring physician assistants. This program also promotes service to the community to improve health care delivery for underserved areas.
To qualify for admission, applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. For prerequisite courses, if an applicant's university did not offer graded classes for the Spring 2020 term or a subsequent term during the pandemic, they must provide documentation to be considered for exceptions. The program takes a minimum of 27 months to complete.
Drexel University has a five-year first-time PANCE pass rate of 97%. The cost of tuition for this program is $48,636 per year.
King's College
The King's College Department of Physician Assistant Studies has over 45 years of experience in preparing students for the PA profession. It provides a primary care-based curriculum that emphasizes knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking, and moral reasoning.
To be eligible for the PA program, you must have a bachelor's degree and not have any science courses with a grade less than C. You also must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and two letters of reference (LOR). The program will take you 24 months to complete.
The five-year first-time PANCE pass rate is 91%, and the first-time PANCE pass rate is 97%.
The students enrolled in the professional phase of the Physician Assistant Program for the Fall of 2022 will pay $47,175 in tuition.
Lock Haven University
This 24-month Physician Assistant course at Lock Haven University is built on a medical model that emphasizes basic and clinical sciences and critical thinking abilities. Program graduates also work in clinical settings like surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and internal medicine.
The program also promotes service to underserved populations. It takes two years to finish the program.
To qualify for admission, you must complete an application and submit a non-refundable application fee, have a baccalaureate from an accredited institution, and submit official transcripts. You must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and complete prerequisite courses with a score of C or better.
The first-time PANCE pass rate stands at 94%, while the five-year first-time PANCE pass rate is 97%.
The cost of tuition for this program is $33,089 and $46,988 for the first year for residents and non-residents, respectively. However, in the second year, the tuition is $28,327 and $39,937, respectively.
Marywood University
The program prides itself on a non-competitive team approach and specialized clinical tracks. The Physician Assistant (PA) program prepares graduates to meet the expanding health requirements in the modern world. This provides a strong foundation for the students to have exponential professional growth.
You must complete all prerequisite coursework before enrolling at Marywood University, and you must score a minimum of C to be considered. Also, a Baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or better is required. The class duration is 24 months.
The first-time PANCE pass rate and the five-year first-time PANCE pass rate stand at 96%.
Tuition for the program is $1030 per credit. The program has a total of 89 credits.
Conclusion
Many top-notch physician assistant schools in Pennsylvania provide excellent programs for students who want to enter this career field. All of the schools mentioned above have high first-time pass rates on the PANCE exam.
When choosing a physician assistant school, it is important to consider the cost of tuition and the length of the program. All of the schools mentioned above have different lengths for their programs, so it is important to resolve the one that best fits your needs.