As healthcare workers’ need grows, the demand for PAs (Physician Assistants) will increase. The PAs are the healthcare professionals who get involved in multiple settings, from medical practices, hospitals to clinics. They carry out a wide range of tasks from taking medical histories, prescribing medication, diagnosing illness, and carry out physical exams. They generally work under a physician’s guidance.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 118,800 PAs in the U.S in 2018 will witness their ranks grow by 2028 to 31%. The demand for healthcare professionals in medically underserved and rural areas will help the graduates to find employment.
- The academic prerequisites for a PA school
Several programs need two years of courses in behavioral and basic sciences. There are a few with prerequisites in anatomy, chemistry, biology, psychology, and microbiology; the particular requirements will differ based on the school. To know more about this, you can check out https://www.myparesource.com/blog-1/how-to-get-into-pa-school.
The major to choose for getting into PA school
If you have a science-based bachelor’s degree, it can help students prepare for the PA school work. The relevant undergraduate majors comprise nursing, psychology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, physiology, and anatomy. Also, the students can decide to select an undergraduate major that isn’t science-based. However, it is necessary to make sure that the undergraduate curriculum includes several classes.
The classes you require in PA school
The standard PA course prerequisites comprise of:
- Organic or Biochemistry – Biochemistry covers all the chemical procedures within living organisms. And organic chemistry concentrates on the properties and structure of the carbon compounds.
- Statistics or Calculus – Statistics deals with the analysis and collection of data. Calculus is for studying change and generating mathematical models to arrive at solutions.
- Genetics – A study of DNA and how the common traits from earlier generations get passed on.
- Human Anatomy – It is the study of human body structure.
- Animal or human physiology – It studies the way body parts function.
- Microbiology – It helps to study microbes and micro-organisms comprising of fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
- The clinical hours for PA school
The clinical experience is one of the primary requirements for getting admitted to a PA school. Bringing this experience enables the prospective students to gain skills in areas like working under pressure, communication, observation, compassion, and solving issues. All these are essential in PA school and beyond that. The clinical hours also make sure that people understand the profession. The clinical hours vary based on the school. Hence, students must check the websites of their preferred schools for the same.
- GRE requirements
The students should find if their PA school needs them to opt-in for a GRE (Graduate Record Examination). There are a few schools that might have an alternative requirement, and others might not require it.
- Letter of Recommendation
The applicants must choose the references wisely. The clinical references often get preferred in PA school than the academic references. The professors, physicians, and supervisors are usually the typical references.
- Personal Essay
The personal statement/essay is a prerequisite that allows candidates to stand out amongst others.
These are a few of the requirements to get into a PA school. You can gather more information from the website of the PA school you are interested in.