If you’re considering a career as a physician assistant, you may be wondering what kind of education and training you need. Here’s a quick overview of everything you’ll need to pursue this rewarding career.
What is the Minimum Requirement for a Physician’s Assistant?
Becoming a physician assistant is an incredibly rewarding career path, but it’s not one that can be taken lightly. To get into a good program and have the best chance at success, you’ll need to ensure that you meet the minimum educational requirement- a bachelor’s degree.
This means that you’ll need four years of college under your belt prior to applying for PA school–- and this is even if you take all of your prerequisites in night classes or online! Thankfully, those prerequisites are usually the same ones needed to major in the sciences, so if obtaining a bachelor’s degree while meeting the other requirements of PA school is something you’re interested in, there are several paths to choose from.
Can a Master’s Degree Help Me Become a Physician Assistant?
Deciding to complete a master’s degree can be a challenging yet rewarding decision. Although most graduate programs take at least two years of hard work, the end results are well worth the effort. Using additional studies in your chosen field provides you with an opportunity to specialize and make yourself even more desirable to top employers.
Those who pursue a master’s degree often stand out from other candidates because many employers value the extra dedication and commitment required for that higher accomplishment. Furthermore, completing a master’s program will increase your chances of getting accepted into competitive programs or gaining leadership positions within business and other organizations, ensuring that students have plenty of options following graduation.
Take Classes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physiology
Taking college-level courses in science and health-related fields can give you an edge before applying to PA school. It might feel like a bummer now, having to stay on top of course load when it’s not mandatory, but it’ll pay off in the long run.
Not only will those extra classes provide you with the academic foundation necessary to excel in graduate school, but they’ll also give you additional skills and training that increase your candidacy when submitting your application. And if all that fails, at least you can say you took the initiative early on – what admissions boards look for in prospective students!
Do Physician Assistants Need to be Licensed?
Besides taking the necessary classes and obtaining your degree, there’s one more important step: getting your license! That way, you can jumpstart the journey toward practicing in whichever state you choose. After all, with great power comes great responsibility, and being a PA is no exception. If it’s something you’re passionate about, don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith! Licensure will help open the doors for your future plans as a PA.
Once you have put in all the hard work completing the educational requirements to become a physician assistant, the career prospects are unbelievably exciting! As a PA, you can specialize in dozens of medical fields and help improve lives through your professional practice. The mix of diagnostic abilities, patient care and overall management is sure to challenge and reward you for years to come. Additionally, being surrounded by like-minded professionals makes for an enriching work environment.
The path to becoming a Physician Assistant begins here, at West Liberty University. Apply today or schedule a virtual campus visit.