Kinesiology Department

Physician Assistant Advising

A Physician Assistant is a health care professional who provides patient services ranging from taking medical histories and doing physical examinations to performing minor surgical procedures.  Physician's assistants work under the supervision of a physician, who can be on or off site.  PAs receive two years of postgraduate training and pass a national certifying exam.   They are licensed by the states.  Many health care analysts believe that physician's assistants, who typically deliver quality routine health care less expensively than doctors, could be an important part of the American health care system, as they are in Canada and some European countries.

As a college student preparing for a career as a physician assistant, you should be aware of several steps necessary for admission into an accredited PA program:

  • Contact PA education programs to learn what prerequisites are required
  • Volunteer in a hospital or private clinic to gain experience
  • Find a physician or physician assistant who can serve as a mentor
  • Become familiar with issues related to the profession

Learn about the profession and discover why you would be a strong candidate for the profession so that you may properly promote yourself in your application essays.

There are no uniform prerequisites for physician assistant programs.   However, you will find general requirements for many of the top schools.  Once you have decided on a program for you, be sure to verify you have completed all of the requirements.

Resource
American Academy of Physician Assistants
www.aapa.org