QUICK FACTS: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Description: Physician assistants( PAs) practice medicine with physician supervision. Most work in primary care but PAs can also specialize in fields such as surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine. Physician assistants can take medical histories, order laboratory tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, give medical advice, counsel patients, perform physical exams, assist in surgery, and set fractures. (Physician Assistant Programs Directory, 17th Edition)

Salary and employment opportunities: The Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010 projected a 39% increase in the number of PA jobs from 2008 to 2018, making this profession the 3rd fastest growing in the country. In 2008, the mean income for PAs who were not self-employed and who were working at least 32 hours/week was >$81,230. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed indicated that they were very pleased with their choice of profession.
 

Education required:

Undergraduate: At least 3 years required for the majority of schools. Trevecca University and Harding University both require a bachelor’s degree. Any major is acceptable if the admissions requirements are met.

Professional: The length of the programs vary somewhat but most are 26-30 months. This is generally year-round training for about 2 ½ years. Some schools offer a bachelor’s degree or a certificate of completion of the program. Treveca University and Harding University offer only a Master’s degree.
 

Admission requirements:

(Course requirements listed are for Trevecca’s program. Other schools may have slightly different requirements.)