Associates Degree

I live in Florida and there are three Physician Assistant Programs in this state. One being in Miami Dade. Miami Dade is a two year program that cost 20,000 and the other two cost 100,000. Is the Miami Dade PA program a legit program? You only graduate with an AS degree but you are able to sit for your PA license.

Thanks in advance.

All accredited PA programs allow you to sit for the PANCE regradless of the degree awarded....the only time thedegree might cause a problem is if the state you are in requires a certain degre ein order to get your license...certain states require at least a bachelors while others require a masters....some dont care.

Also there are 4 programs and 7 if you count multiple campuses (which I would because you have to apply to each campus seperately). There is:

Barry University-Miami
Barry-St Petersburg
Nova-Orlando
Nova-Naples
Nova-FT Lauderdale
University of FL-Gainesville
Miami Dade College-Miami

In all honesty...in the time it takes you should go for the masters if you have the opportunity. While the degree doesnt really matter for the PANCE, some employers (like hospitals) pay extra for certain degrees.

Very helpful information. Thank you very much.

I am a PA-C currently practicing in pediatrics with an Associates degree. I am looking for a program that bridges my associates degree with a Masters program online. I was told these exist but cannot locate them. Please help.

Hanna, what program did you go to for PA training and how long have you been practicing?

Thanks in advance,

Reggie

I have been practicing for almost a year having graduated from Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio

Excellent! I thought Cuyahoga converted to a Masters level program. Being from Dayton, I would relocate and try that program as well. Currently a Respiratory Therapist in Tampa. Thanks for the fast response.

Hanna in Akron, Ohio said: I have been practicing for almost a year having graduated from Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio

University of Nebraska has one and its around 3,000 I think Nova has one too

Hanna, being that you have ur Associates in P.A. on average how much money are you making compared to someone with a masters?
Thanks in advance

Hanna, University of Nebraska is the best value for the money. Do you have a bachelors degree in another field? All the bridging programd require that you have a bachelors in something else to get the masters.

does any body know the degree requirements for p.a. in florida can i work with an associates?

Bo,
Miami Dade Community College has the associates program. Go to their web site and look under the medical campus. If the requirements are not listed there call the program, the phone number is listed, and get the requirements. Good luck to you!

I am graduating from Stanford's Associates PA program. would my degree be held lower than someone with a masters from other colleges? If so can i get my masters once i receive the associates?

I am looking for an associates PA program offered near Jacksonville Florida if you know of any it would be of great help?

Megan in San Diego, California said: I am looking for an associates PA program offered near Jacksonville Florida if you know of any it would be of great help?

Hey Megan,

I'm currently in the middle of the PA school application season. The suspense right now is killing me b/c I'm now waiting to be invited for an interview invitation.

I personally do not know of any specific school in Florida. Your best bet is to go to portal.caspaonline.org/faq/ins_programs.htm to check out all of the PA programs offered here in the U.S. From there, you can click the hotlink to the school you want to research and see what level of degree is offered for PA studies.

I hope this helps.

Yes it did, thanks so much. hopefully I'll be able to go:~)

Hanna, being that you have ur Associates in P.A. on average how much money are you making compared to someone with a masters or Bachelors?
Thanks in advance

Reggie in Tampa, Florida said: I live in Florida and there are three Physician Assistant Programs in this state. One being in Miami Dade. Miami Dade is a two year program that cost 20,000 and the other two cost 100,000. Is the Miami Dade PA program a legit program? You only graduate with an AS degree but you are able to sit for your PA license.

Thanks in advance.

I am looking into beginning the PA program of Miami Dade. How much do PA'S with an associate get paid?

ILIANS in Miami, Florida said: I am looking into beginning the PA program of Miami Dade. How much do PA'S with an associate get paid?

The same as PA'S with bachelors and master degrees. Once you complete the program, you have to pass the natioal board exam so you will be a PA-C (certified). Thats what employers look for, more so than a degree. good luck

I agree, you have to pass the PANCE, but depending upon the state in which you practice, many employers are looking only for Masters prepared PA-S.

What do you mean MAsters prepared PA having a masters in PA? Also, do you know what FLorida requieres or where can I find out?

yes, a masters in PA studies. The FL state medical board should be able to provide you with the info you require. There are very few AD programs left, ARC-PA is eliminating them.

Lets get all the facts straight. All states REQUIRE that you graduate from a program accredited by the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)and pass the board exam regardless if the degree you obtained is an Associates, Bacelors or Masters. It is not a STATE REQUIREMENT that you have a masters degree as not all programs are masters programs. Some employers may perfer that you have a masters degree. As a PA educator for the last five years, I can freely say that the program at Miami Dade is a good program with a good PANCE pass rate. It is a great option to those programs that cost much. I hope that you apply and are accepted and do well.

Respectfully, Chris is not all together correct on this matter.

State by state considerations for P.A. licensure are as follows(current as of 11/08)-
Fact: All states require that you graduate from an accredited program
Fact: All states require you to pass the PANCE board exam
Fact: Some states require a Bachelor's or a Master's in a science or "health-related field"
Fact: MISSOURI is the ONLY state that requires all of the above and in addition insists on that Master's degree being from a PA program.
Read for yourself: www.aapa.org/gandp/statelaw.html

Beyond that...employers will be your greatest obstacle with an AS degree. A candidate carrying a Master's degree is more likely to attract the attention of most highly competitive positions. However, count on cashing in on the supply versus demand dichotomy in this field. If you're ambitious, articulate and have the credentials in-hand...there's a good chance you'll get what you want!

Good Luck to you!

Megan,
Nova has a new program eginning in the Summer of 2009 in Jacksonville Florida. Not all programs are on the CASPA site. Only those that use the service are listed. Nova Jax is new and not yet using CASPA.
Furthermore, some hospitals do pay more for an employee with a
Masters degree.

FYI here's an interesting article on PA Degrees and salary:
www.paeaonline.org/perspective/10083.pdf

Here's a PPT presentation with information on new graduate pay according to the different academic credential awarded by PA programs: www.paeaonline.org/Meetings/EdForum2007/Annual%20Report%201007.ppt#256,1,23rd
Hope this helps.

I just graduated from UCF with my Bachelors in Psychology. I am looking into the PA program at Miami Dade. I have read and understand the requirements to appy but could someone give me some info on who they actually accept? Such as what is the typical GPA of someone that would be accepted. What is neccessary to reallistically be accepted. Also what is the typical number of applicants and how many people are usually accepted. Thank you very much in advance for any information you can provide!

My husband graduated from the Miami Dade PA program in 2005. He does not have a Masters and he does quite well ( in the six figures/ yearly). Employer's never asked him what type of degree he has, they just asked for his florida PA number.

Rose in hollywood, did your husband earn an associates degree? it wasn't clear.. i'm unsure if he has a bachelor's or what?
thankyou very much!

Hanna in Akron, Ohio said: I am a PA-C currently practicing in pediatrics with an Associates degree. I am looking for a program that bridges my associates degree with a Masters program online. I was told these exist but cannot locate them. Please help.

Try A.T.Still University. I will be doing this myself in the fall after practicing since 1976! That's all there was in those days. Good luck.

M. Hughes, PA/C

Mike Hughes in Lansing, Michigan said: Try A.T.Still University. I will be doing this myself in the fall after practicing since 1976! That's all there was in those days. Good luck.

M. Hughes, PA/C

If you already have a bachelors degree The University of Nebraska also has such a program. Very resonable in price. I completed the program in 2007, it was $3000.00. Also St. Francis University has a similar program. Good luck to both Mike and Hana.

I was going to mentioned the SFU program as well:
www.saintfrancisuniversity.edu/MMShome.htm

Rose, In which area of medicine does your husband work in and do so well? How long has he been doing PA work for? I know experience and specialty make a difference in salary. Thanks for the vote of confidence in the MDC program. That's where I'm hoping to get accepted.

Megan in San Diego, California said: I am looking for an associates PA program offered near Jacksonville Florida if you know of any it would be of great help?

Brunswick Ga is aprx 80 miles north of jax and offers one at Coastal Community College,they also have a campus in Kingsland GA which is 20 miles north of the Jacksonville Airport