MS Physician Assistant Studies: FAQs and Additional Resources

The program is 7 trimesters - or 27 months - in duration, including didactic studies and clinical rotations.

 Please see the admission requirements page for more information.

Yes, after all applicants are screened, the most qualified will be invited in for interviews. Please keep in mind that meeting our minimum requirements for application does not guarantee an interview invitation.

No, you can apply with a bachelor’s degree still in progress. If you are accepted into the program you must submit your updated transcript directly to the university showing a minimum of a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation into the program.

Working during the program is highly discouraged due to the intense nature of the coursework.

The Physician Assistant program welcomes 30 students each summer trimester.

Yes, capstone projects are assigned and completed during the didactic phase of the program. Students will research and disseminate a project applying coursework and evidence-based medicine into daily practice.

Please see our accreditation section for more information.

We do not offer advanced placement. Every student who enters the program must complete all components of the program.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is the accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public and PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs within the territorial United States to ensure their compliance with those standards.

The ARC-PA is an independent accrediting body authorized to accredit qualified PA educational programs leading to the professional credential, Physician Assistant (PA). Accreditation is a process of quality assurance that determines whether the program meets established standards for function, structure and performance. The ARC-PA does not accredit any academic degree awarded by the sponsoring institution of the PA program.

The ARC-PA encourages excellence in PA education through its accreditation process by establishing and maintaining standards of quality for educational programs. It awards accreditation to programs through a peer review process that includes documentation and periodic site visit evaluation to substantiate compliance with the Accreditation Standards for Physician Assistant Education. The accreditation process is designed to encourage sound educational practices and innovation by programs and to stimulate continuous self-study and improvement.

In addition to establishing educational standards and fostering excellence in PA programs, the ARC-PA provides information and guidance to individuals and organizations regarding PA program accreditation.

http://arc-pa.org

Founded in 1968, the American Academy of Physician Assistants is the national professional society for physician assistants. It represents a profession of more than 95,000 certified PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories and the uniformed services.

AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. We work to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence and recognition of physician assistants. We also enhance their ability to improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.

www.aapa.org

NCCPA is the only certifying organization for physician assistants in the United States. Established as a not-for-profit organization in 1975, NCCPA is dedicated to assuring the public that certified physician assistants meet established standards of clinical knowledge and cognitive skills upon entry into practice and throughout their careers. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories have decided to rely on NCCPA certification as one of the criteria for licensure or regulation of physician assistants. More than 100,000 physician assistants have been certified by NCCPA since 1975, and more than 95,000 are certified today.

www.nccpa.net

The Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA) is a fully authorized state chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. FAPA dedicates itself to pursuing and maintaining the practice rights of Physician Assistants within the State of Florida through a strong lobbying effort. The organization also provides multiple continuing medical education opportunities and strives to keep all Physician Assistants practicing in the State of Florida up to date with the most current news. FAPAs website is a repository of information and forms required for practice in the state of Florida.

www.fapaonline.org