So, you have settled on pursuing a Physician Assistant program in Ohio, but you are not sure of the school to enroll in. Many schools offer the program, making it even harder for you to decide.
There are several questions to answer when making this decision. The cost of tuition, the location of the school, and the curriculum are just a few of the things you will need to take into account.
We have compiled a list of the top Physician Assistant schools in Ohio to help make your decision a little easier.
What is a Physician Assistant Program?
The Physician Assistant (PA) profession is one of the fastest-growing in the United States. A PA is a medical professional licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. PAs can prescribe drugs in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
PAs are trained to provide a wide range of medical and surgical services. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and prescribe medications.
The length of training for a PA varies from program to program but is typically 27 months. Upon completing the program, PAs must pass a national certification exam to earn their license.
Now that you know what the PA profession entails, let's take a look at the top Physician Assistant schools in Ohio:
The Ohio State University - Athens, OH
Ohio University is a public university and the oldest in the state of Ohio. The PA program at the university is 27 months long and includes didactic coursework, laboratory work, clinical rotations, and a capstone project.
Admission to the PA program is competitive and requires a bachelor's degree, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and completion of prerequisite courses. Also, you must have paid or unpaid healthcare experience, preferably in a clinical setting.
Tuition for the program is $58,300 per year for both residents and non-residents.
Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH
The Physician Assistant(PA) program at Case Western Reserve University is accredited by the ARC-PA and is a 27-month program. In the fresher year of the program, students begin work on clinical sites to help them gather exposure to the clinical environment.
To complete the course, one requires 102 credits completed through a combination of classroom work, laboratory work, and clinical rotations.
You will need to have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and take the GRE to qualify for this program.
The program tuition is $98,925.
The University of Toledo - Toledo, OH
The university has some of the most technologically advanced facilities in the U.S. They have what they refer to as a State-of-the-art cadaver lab, which ensures students get thorough clinical training by the end of the PA program.
One requires a four-year Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university for entry. Also, one is required to provide GRE scores.
Tuition is $63,102 for residents and $102,302 for non-residents.
Marietta College - Marietta, OH
The Marietta College PA program has a 98.6% graduation rate, with 94% of graduates employed within six months.
For admission, one must have a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution. The prerequisite course requirement is an average GPA of 3.0. Also, GRE scores are required to be submitted with the CASPA application.
The estimated tuition cost is:
Summer Session: $5,000
Didactic Phase - Semesters one and two: $39,000
Clinical Phase - Semesters one and two: $39,000
University of Mount Union - Alliance, OH
The university prides itself on the ability to help students be critical thinkers, professional problem solvers, and leaders with integrity. U.S. News & World Report shows the University of Mount Union PA program as one the best in the nation.
Admission requirements are a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or college, a GPA of 3.0, and prerequisite coursework. International students are also required to submit official TOEFL scores.
Tuition is $87,500 for both resident and non-residents.
Mount St. Joseph University - Cincinnati, OH
If you value hands-on patient care, then Mount St. Joseph University might be the best school for you. Their state-of-the-art technology provides clinicians with the skills required in this current dynamic world.
It's a 27-month program with training in medical physiology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, genetics, nutrition & preventive medicine, EKG, physical exam, and clinical skills.
As with many PA programs in different schools, admission requires a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0. Also, minimum healthcare experience of 500 hours.
The estimated cost for the program is $92,400 for seven semesters.
Baldwin Wallace University - Berea, OH
As PA students require 2,000 hours of clinical experience, Baldwin Wallace University's proximity to healthcare facilities gives the students an added advantage. This also prepares students for the PANCE exam — the university boasts a 100% pass rate on PANCE.
Admission is highly selective and competitive. Applicants are required to have excellent scores in GPA and GRE. A GPA of 3.7 and above is required, a degree from any discipline, and prerequisites.
For students joining from May 2022, the total cost will be $89,000.
University of Dayton - Dayton, OH
By the end of the program, physician assistants pride themselves in Catholic Marianist tradition. They will be skillful and compassionate and, at the same time, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and skills required in the modern world.
The University of Dayton requires letter grades for prerequisite courses, but pass/fail grades can also be considered. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, 250 hours of healthcare experience, and 20 hours of community service experience.
A seat deposit of $1,000 non-refundable is required, which will be debited to the first-semester tuition if one is accepted. The total cost of the program is $78,988.
Conclusion
There are many great Physician Assistant (PA) programs in Ohio. The best PA program for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Consider the cost of tuition, the length of the program, and the school's location when making your decision. With several great options above to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect PA program for you in Ohio!