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Admission to PA Programs
Physician Assistant Program
Physician Assistant as a Career
Helpful Information
PPAS
100

What is the minimum overall GPA and overall science GPA required to get considered for PA school?

A minimum bachelor's-degree G.P.A. of 3.0 A minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in all science prerequisite coursework is required 

100
How long are PA programs usually?
24-30 months
100

What is the median salary of a PA-C?

$130,020 per year 

100

How many shadowing hours are recommended before applying for PA programs?

On average, applicants are expected to have about 40 hours of shadowing experience. Top applicants often have over 100 hours of shadowing

100

When are PPAS meetings?

Every other Wednesday!

200

What is the minimum number of hours usually required for direct patient care experience?

Around 1,000 hours

200

How many PA Schools are there in TX?

14

200

List three PA specialties 

Dermatology

Pediatrics

Family Medicine

Cardiology

Psychiatry

Orthopedics

Emergency Medicine

Oncology

Urology

200

What exam must you pass to become a certified PA?

Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) To become a certified PA, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), a computer-based, multiple-choice test comprising questions that assess general medical and surgical knowledge. (Source: nccpa.net)

200

How much are dues and where can I pay them?

$25 can be paid in Cash or Cash App ($txstppas)

300
What is the online application service for PA schools?
Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
300

List 2 common prerequisite courses required for PA school

General biology

Anatomy and physiology

Microbiology

General chemistry

Biochemistry or organic chemistry

General psychology

Statistics or bio statistics

Medical Terminology

300
Name two settings where you would be able to find a physician assistant.
Most PAs work in medical offices, followed by hospitals. But they can also work in assisted living facilities, educational services, etc.
300

What is the re-certification examination you need to take?

Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) 

By the end of the 10th year of the certification maintenance cycle, PA-C designees must have passed a recertification exam 

300
How many points do you need to apply to be an officer?

6

400
List some experiences that fulfill direct patient care hours.
Nursing (RN, LVN, CNA), Emergency Services (EMT, Paramedic, EMS), Physical Therapist (Aide), Medical Assistant, etc.
400

How does the first year in the PA program look like?

The first year of a Physician Assistant (PA) program is primarily focused on classroom learning, or the didactic year

400
What career is closely related to Physician Assistants?
Nurse Practitioner
400

What is the employment outlook for Physician Assistants?

Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28% from 2023 - 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

400

FREE

FREE

500

What is the standardized test that a lot of graduate schools, including some PA programs, require?

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

500

How does the second year in a PA program look like?

The second year of a Physician Assistant (PA) program is primarily made up of clinical rotations, where students work in real-world healthcare settings to apply their knowledge and develop skills

500
What are some duties of Physician Assistants?
Physician assistants are trained to perform medical histories and physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, formulate diagnoses and management plans, write prescriptions, counsel patients and assist in surgery. (Source: http://www.pace.edu/physician-assistant/frequently-asked-questions)
500

What is needed to be done every two years as part of the certification maintenance process?

100 hours of continuing medical education

500

When was TXST PPAS established

2010