Can you imagine advancing your healthcare career without having to take in-person courses or relocate to another city? This dream becomes a reality with an online physician assistant degree. Physician assistants are in high demand due to a national shortage of qualified physicians and nurse practitioners. Online Physician Assistant programs across the country are eager to help qualified candidates step into this high-paying and high-demand profession.
Healthcare professions that best prepare you for an online PA program include medical assistant, EMT, paramedic, CNA, medic or medical corpsman, peace corps volunteer, lab assistant, phlebotomist, registered nurse, pharmacy tech, ER tech, or surgical tech. The primary focus of many online PA programs is to help skilled clinicians meet the specific healthcare needs of their communities.
Typical Online PA Admission Requirements
- Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
- Have clinical experience working in healthcare. Keep in mind most programs require a minimum of 500 hours. However, three years or more of medical experience is preferred.
- Be working towards and earned a bachelor’s degree. Preferred bachelor’s degrees have a strong science background.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all undergraduate course work. In addition, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite science courses. Most programs prerequisite requirements include: statistics or calculus, organic chemistry, physiology, microbiology, human biology, and human anatomy.
7 Tips To Apply To An Online PA Program
- Begin filling out an application. Many PA schools use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) as their application tool. This is handy because you’ll only need to complete one application for multiple programs. In addition, it is critical that you apply early to the PA program of your choice. This is valuable as many programs review applications as they arrive. This will give you an advantage getting accepted to the program.
- Gather letters of recommendation. Plan on submitting 2-3 letter of recommendation from educators and other healthcare professionals as part of your application.
- Submit your transcripts. Your official transcripts for your undergraduate degree can be submitted through the CASPA system.
- Record your clinical hours. Make sure to record your clinical hours as this is an important component of getting into any online PA program. Most PA programs suggest that you have 3 years of clinical experience.
- Gain leadership and volunteer experience. Demonstrating leadership and showing your commitment to serving your community definitely give you an advantage when applying to PA school.
- Hone your interview skills. The final step to getting into the PA program of your choice is to pass the interview process. Often you’ll be interviewed by a panel or go through a multi-step interview process. This is typically done online.
- Attend an online program overview. Most online programs offer a webinar giving an overview of their program. This is valuable to help you understand the specific requirements for each program and to select the program that’s right for you.
Further Reading: Online 12-Month Physician Assistant Programs
4 Tips To Pay For PA School
- Complete or renew your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Once you’ve been accepted to PA school, complete or renew your FAFSA application to help pay for school. In addition, this application is free and offers access to a variety of low interest student loan options.
- Apply for scholarships and loan repayment programs with National Health Service Corps. Due to the fact that there is a need for skilled physician assistants in rural and underserved communities across the United States, there are scholarships and special loan repayment programs offered by the federal government.
- Contact the financial aid office at your college or university. By contacting the financial aid office at your university, you access a team of people who help navigate the intricacies of paying for college. In addition, they are dedicated to serving the student and are a trusted resource when it comes to finding the right funding options for you.
- Research online scholarship opportunities. There are several trusted websites designed to help you access a treasure trove of scholarships. For example, www.fastweb.com has a frequently updated, extensive list of scholarships.
Further Reading: 4 Easy Ways to Pay for Your Education
Highlighted Online Physician Assistant Programs
Yale School of Medicine
- Awards graduates with a Master’s of Medical Science(MMSc), allowing you to seek licensure as a PA-C.
- Classes are held in a live, virtual classroom and focus on pediatrics, gerontology, and emergency medicine.
- Clinical opportunities begin early in the program to give students hands-on experience.
- Clinical rotations are arranged in the communities where you live.
- Simulated labs are held on campus to help build relationships with staff and peers. Immersion labs are one week long and held 3 times over the course of the program.
Pace University
- Awards an MS (Master’s of Science) degree as a Physician Assistant.
- The entire program can be completed online in as little as 12 months.
- The program is flexible and allows for part-time students.
- Prepares PA to work in family medicine, emergency medicine, pharmaceuticals, and general practice.
Touro University
- Awards an MS (Master’s of Science) degree in Physician Assistant studies.
- The entire program can be completed online in as little as 12 months.
- The program is flexible and allows for full or part-time students.
- Courses start in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Formatted as a guided-independent learning style.
- Tuition is only $8,670!
Best Affordable Online PA Programs
Touro College Tops Ranking for Most Affordable Physician Assistant Master’s Degrees Based on Cost Per Credit.
School of Health Sciences of Touro College
DEPARTMENT: School of Health Sciences
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $229.73 per credit
ACCREDITATION: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online
PROGRAMS: Physician Assistant Masters Completion Program
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 37 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: zeb.shazad@touro.edu
Phone: 866-868-7648
University of Nebraska Medical Center
DEPARTMENT: College of Allied Health Professions
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $516 per credit
ACCREDITATION: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online
PROGRAMS: Master of Physician Assistant Studies
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 36 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: unmcgraduatestudies@unmc.edu
Phone: 402-559-6532
Stony Brook University
DEPARTMENT: School of Health Technology and Management
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $676 per credit
ACCREDITATION: Liaison Committee on Medical Education
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online
PROGRAMS: Post-Professional Master’s in Physician Assistant
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 30 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: Diana.Jones@stonybrook.edu
Phone: 631-444-2029
University of North Dakota
DEPARTMENT: School of Medicine and Health Sciences
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $762 per credit
ACCREDITATION: The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online, Hybrid
PROGRAMS: Master of Physician Assistant Studies
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 90 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: UND.med.paprogram@UND.edu
Phone: 701-777-2344
Drexel University
DEPARTMENT: College of Nursing and Health Professions
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $763 per credit
ACCREDITATION: Middle States Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online
PROGRAMS: Master of Health Science – Physician Assistant Post Professional
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 117 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: pa27@drexel.edu
Phone: 267-359-5757
University of Wisconsin-Madison
DEPARTMENT: School of Medicine and Public Health
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $781 per credit
ACCREDITATION: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Higher Learning Commission
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: paprogram@mailplus.wisc.edu
Phone: 608-263-5620
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online
PROGRAMS: Master of Physician Assistant Studies
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 93 credits
Yale University
DEPARTMENT: School of Medicine
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $826 per credit
ACCREDITATION: The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant
DELIVERY FORMAT: Blended
PROGRAMS: Physician Assistant
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 57 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: applicationservices@paonline.yale.edu
Phone: 844-433-9253
Pace University
DEPARTMENT: College of Health Professions
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT: $825 per credit
ACCREDITATION: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
DELIVERY FORMAT: Online
PROGRAMS: Master’s in Physician Assistant Completion Program
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE: 30 credits
MORE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Email: jmcmanus@pace.edu
Phone: 914-773-3649
Ranking Analysis
The School of Health Sciences at Touro College offers the most affordable program at just $229.73 per credit. As an established medical and health sciences institution, Touro is able to provide quality PA education at a competitive price point through their online delivery format.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center and Stony Brook University also have relatively low cost per credit programs, likely due to their public university status. Their prices per credit are less than half of the most expensive programs.
The more expensive programs at Yale, Pace, and Wisconsin-Madison are private institutions, which could explain their higher tuition rates. However, they also have strong reputations in medical and physician assistant education.
Most of the programs are delivered either fully online or in a hybrid format, allowing for flexibility and accessibility for working professionals. Only Yale uses a blended model.
Required graduation credits vary widely, from 30 credits at Stony Brook to 117 at Drexel. Shorter completion times can offset higher per credit costs.
Accreditation is consistent across the board from either the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. This ensures quality standards.
Contact information is provided for each school, allowing prospective students to easily get more personalized information on the programs. Comparing cost, format, and reputation can help applicants make an informed decision.