PAs start out by earning a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field or another science-focused field. This degree usually requires two to four years of coursework.
Along the way, aspiring PAs are encouraged to work in a healthcare field to gain experience working with patients. This can include work as a nursing assistant, paramedic or emergency medical technician (EMT), among other roles.
After completing their bachelor’s degree and gaining some work experience, aspiring PAs enroll in a physician assistant degree program, which is usually a master’s degree program. Physician assistant master’s degree programs usually last two years and cover the following subjects:
- Pathology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology
- Physical diagnosis
- Clinical medicine
- Ethics
- Emergency, family, internal and pediatric medicine
An aspiring PA may also serve in clinical rotations before getting a job as a PA. Physician assistants must be detail-oriented and emotionally stable, as they must often perform well under pressure. Patients’ family members may be worried about their loved ones, so PAs must remain calm, compassionate and understanding. They must also be able to communicate effectively about patient needs with patients themselves as well as doctors and other medical professionals. Because they are often responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses, physician assistants should be able to identify problems and find effective solutions.2
You can take your first step toward becoming a physician assistant by pursuing a pre-physician assistant degree. Grand Canyon University is pleased to offer the Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Physician Assistant degree program, which offers foundational courses in anatomy, biology, chemistry, ethics and physical sciences. Click the Request Info button above to learn more about our medical studies and sciences degrees.
Retrieved from:
1 American Academy of PAs, What is a PA? in June 2022.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, What Physicians Assistants Do in June 2022.
3 Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, Bone & Joint Blog, What is the Difference Between a Physician Assistant and a Doctor? in June 2022.
4 Tufts Medical Center Community Care and Tufts Medicine MelroseWakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, What is the Difference Between a Physician Assistant and a Nurse Practitioner? in June 2022.
