Wyoming may be home to some of the most beautiful natural sights in America, but is it home to any notable PA programs?
If you’re an aspiring PA who’s currently residing in Wyoming and you’re wondering where the best PA schools in Wyoming are, here’s everything you need to know about Wyoming PA schools, the PA profession, and much more!
What Are the Best PA Schools in Wyoming?
Unfortunately, no in-person PA programs are offered in Wyoming at present. This means that individuals in this state who want to become PAs need to study out of state or enroll in an online program.
Fortunately, there are plenty of scholarships available for qualified students, and these can really help students in states like Wyoming who are forced to study out of state to get the credentials they need.
How Much Do PAs Make in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, the average PA makes $126,00 in a year.
PAs just starting out usually make less than this, while more experienced PAs tend to make more.
Where you work also plays a major role in determining how much you get paid, as do your qualifications and additional certifications.
Moreover, in Wyoming, if you work in a more populated area, it’s likely you’ll make more than a PA who works at a rural clinic. But be sure—this isn't automatic.
How Long Does a PA Go to School For?
It usually takes two years to complete an in-person PA program.
However, if you're enrolled in an online or hybrid PA program, it may take a few months to a couple of years longer.
And if you need to get a PA master’s because you joined the profession before these were mandatory, you can enroll in an accelerated PA program that takes about a year and a half.
During PA school, you take classes and gain practical experience concurrently, whether you're in an in-person, online, or hybrid program.
That said, students enrolled in in-person programs tend to have an easier time balancing, and this is why most finish within two years.
How Do You Get Into PA School?
If you want to get into a top-tier PA school, you need to adopt proven studying habits right away, and you need to practice self-directed learning.
It’s best to get familiar with a rigorous academic workload sooner rather than later, ideally before you begin your undergraduate work.
The best undergraduate majors for PA school are: biology, chemistry, health sciences, nursing, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and organic chemistry.
Graduating with a GPA no lower than 3.5 will put you in a good position to get into PA school, and having a major GPA above 3.7 is ideal. Double-majoring will also look good on your application.
After you earn your undergrad degree, you’ll need to pass the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Any score over 300 is good for PA school, but top-tier schools will want to see 310-320.
Once you have your degree and an official GRE score, you can apply for PA school.
Of course, there may be additional requirements depending on where you apply, and you’ll have to pay an application fee.
The most important part of the application process is writing your “personal statement”, and this is exactly what my PA Resource specializes in.
What Kind of PA Programs Are There?
In-Person
In-person PA programs are the most preferred kind of PA program for a handful of reasons.
Otherwise known as traditional PA programs, in these students are able to interact with each other and their professors, and engaging with one another enriches their learning experiences.
And because they either live on or commute to campus, it’s easier for them to take advantage of the school’s vast resources.
They also get much more hands-on experience in the classroom and in state-of-the-art labs. And, of course, they have to gain clinical experience outside the classroom as well.
Online
Online PA programs are still relatively new, but they are gaining popularity because they offer more flexibility and they’re cheaper.
But make no mistake—these programs are not easier than in-person programs. In fact, many say they can be harder because they’re centered around self-directed learning.
That said, you can still interact with peers and faculty in these programs—it’s just somewhat inconvenient because you have to communicate digitally.
And like in-person programs, online PA programs require clinical experience, and the institution that offers the program should help you find a suitable facility at which you can gain the necessary experience.
Hybrid
Hybrid PA programs combine the best elements of in-person learning with the flexibility that online learning offers.
In these, you go to in-person classes a couple of times a week, but most of the work is completed outside the classroom. Clinical experience will be needed as well, of course.
Do PAs Still Attend School After Licensure?
While PAs aren’t required to “go to school” while practicing, they must get at least 100 continuing medical education (CME) every two years to be eligible for re-certification.
Additionally, a PA will need to re-pass the PANCE every 10 years. They’ll have multiple chances to pass, of course, but only a year or so to do this.
Board certifications have their own re-certification requirements and the state in which a PA practices may have additional requirements for re-certification.
Who Can Help Me Get Into Physician Assistant School?
Getting into PA school is no easy feat, and that’s exactly why we started our company.
At myPAResource, we know exactly what the PA school admission boards are looking for, and we’ll help you create a winning application and personal statement.
So what are you waiting for? Getting into the PA school of your dreams need not be a distant hope anymore.
Reach out to us at info@myparesource.com or visit our website to learn more!