How Much Schooling Is Necessary to Become a Physician's Assistant?
Under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy, a physician's assistant can diagnose patients and recommend treatment to heal injuries and illnesses, as well as help with preventative medicine. The American Academy of Physician Assistants found in its 2009 Census Survey that PAs working at least 32 hours per week for one employer earned about $89,987 annually.
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Degree Length
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Most physician's assistant programs take 27 to 32 months, according to the AMA, but some can take as long as four years to complete, if offering a bachelor's degree. Most programs end with a master's degree, but associate or bachelor's degree programs do exist. A physician's assistant can enroll in postgraduate education in a specialty area, but it's not required to work in the field.
Admissions
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The programs offering a master's degree require candidates to have a bachelor's degree before admission, and the AMA states that some programs prefer students with previous experience in a health care setting, such as a nurse or emergency medical technician. If you have not completed an undergraduate degree, the AMA recommends taking courses in biology and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, in preparation for admission. The requirements for an associate or bachelor's degree program depends on the school's admission policies.
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Curriculum
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Degree programs include both lecture and laboratory courses, with classes in medical topics such as human anatomy and pharmacology. Clinical training takes place under the supervision of internal medicine physicians and/or surgeons, and will rotate among several practices or departments, allowing you to gain experience in multiple specialties.
Accreditation
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Choose a school accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, the organization responsible for deciding if each school's program meets certain standards. You'll find accredited programs at medical schools, four-year colleges, hospitals and academic health centers. Some community colleges offer associate degree programs.
After you complete your degree, you need a license to practice in your state, according to the BLS. A passing score on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, given by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, grants you a license -- if you have graduated from an accredited school.
Continuing Education
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Keeping your physician's assistant certification requires re-registration or re-certification every couple of years. Every two years, you must re-register your license with your state, and every sixth year, you must take the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination. Pathway II, an alternative to the exam, will no longer be offered after 2010. Physician's assistants must also complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years.
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