B.S. vs. Master's

Hi,

I'm looking at becoming a PA and was wondering if anyone could advise me on whether or not a Master's degree is required. I'm looking at a school that offers a B.S. and don't know if that's enough anymore (of course, the school says it is but for all I know they're just trying to increase the number of applicants they have). Any help would be appreciated.

In California PA programs that offer less than a Masters degree are starting to be phased out. It would be in your best interest to pursue a Masters program just so that you can remain competitive in the field. I'm not disrespecting PA programs that offer lesser degrees, the curriculum is obviously competent or those students could not gain licensure, but you don't want you field to leave you behind. As far as I know all PA schools in CA at all levels of education are impacted. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. Now I have a somewhat embarrassing question to ask: I completed my undergraduate degree at UCI but due to a lack of dedication I left teh school with a 2.498 GPA. I know that it's not a competitive GPA at all and was wondering if I could get some pointers as to how to make myself more competitive. Part of the reason behind my lack of dedication to my undergraduate degree was because of the amount of time I dedicated to my EMT job. Is there anything I can do to still get into a master's program?

Rick in Upland, California said: Thanks for the advice. Now I have a somewhat embarrassing question to ask: I completed my undergraduate degree at UCI but due to a lack of dedication I left teh school with a 2.498 GPA. I know that it's not a competitive GPA at all and was wondering if I could get some pointers as to how to make myself more competitive. Part of the reason behind my lack of dedication to my undergraduate degree was because of the amount of time I dedicated to my EMT job. Is there anything I can do to still get into a master's program?

do you have all the pre-req, if not improve your GPA by doing well in those grades. On the aplicatiion it calculate a seperate GPA for the pre-req. Since you are an EMT thats going to be strong on your aplication. But Remember GPA is very important and if you could raise it to 3.1-3.3 that will really help.
Good Luck
Sarah PAC

Get more experience. Volunteer if you are not an EMT anymore. Get rocking letters of recommendation. Do good in your pre-reqs or even take them over if they're finished. Some schools like Western will take the better grade or other schools will combine the two grades. Take other classes at the community college and bring up that GPA.

Thanks for all of the advice. My pre-req grades are pretty decent but I still have a quite a few of them to go. Sarah, based on your experience as a PA-C do you think a B.S. in PA would be enough to find a job in CA?

Thanks again for all of your help guys.

Thanks for all of the advice. My pre-req grades are pretty decent but I still have a quite a few of them to go. Sarah, based on your experience as a PA-C do you think a B.S. in PA would be enough to find a job in CA?

Rick in California, 10% of the PA programs are at the BS level, 40% are at the Certificate/AS level and the remaining 50% are at the MS level. The majority of the current PA workforce in California hold a certificate as the academic credential awarded from their PA program. What you need to get a job in California is the PA-C and a license. I've been a PA in Cali for 22 years and have done well with a certificate.

T in Los Angeles, California said: In California PA programs that offer less than a Masters degree are starting to be phased out./QUOTE]

Actually, this is incorrect. The AS and Certificate programs are doing very well and none are being phased out. Their graduates are doing well in the job market and the programs are recieving state and national recognition for their sucesses. They make up 40% of the training programs. Phasing them out would make it even more difficult to become a PA in California. FWIW.

I was wondering if anyone knew how badly repeating a course a few times looked on applications. Is it just the final grade that matters or do schools look at all grades in a course?

Rick in Upland, California said: Thanks for the advice. Now I have a somewhat embarrassing question to ask: I completed my undergraduate degree at UCI but due to a lack of dedication I left teh school with a 2.498 GPA. I know that it's not a competitive GPA at all and was wondering if I could get some pointers as to how to make myself more competitive. Part of the reason behind my lack of dedication to my undergraduate degree was because of the amount of time I dedicated to my EMT job. Is there anything I can do to still get into a master's program?

OMG! I have the same problem as you! From UCI too..lol I wish I can go back in time..but right now, all I can do is re-take the classes and volunteer more.

I would love to go to PA School, but I'm 46 y/o without a BS degree. I have been an RN for 15 years (have an ADN) with experience in multiple areas. I have an approx. GPA of 3.5 & have been taking pre-reqs for a BSN program, but I'm still not done with those to get in yet. I'd rather spend the next 2 years working on both, PA school & finish with a BS. Do they have such a program? Where? Help!!

There are some B.S. programs that give you both the degree and the cert. The only one I know of for sure is Howard University's program. However, if you just search online I'm sure you'll find more programs. The great thing about Howard is that you could probably apply now and finish your pre-reqs at school and then apply for their PA program during your final two years.

Rick in Diamond Bar, California said: There are some B.S. programs that give you both the degree and the cert. The only one I know of for sure is Howard University's program. However, if you just search online I'm sure you'll find more programs. The great thing about Howard is that you could probably apply now and finish your pre-reqs at school and then apply for their PA program during your final two years.

Drew PA program does this as well or at least they used to.

LesH

LesH in Kerman, California said: Drew PA program does this as well or at least they used to.

LesH

My bad I meant to say a BS or a Cert if you already had the BS. Sorry

LesH

I have a BS in Psychology (GPA not great about 2.5) and I got lucky and got into a school for my MA for Professional Counseling. I finished my first year with a 3.6 GPA and decided that I wanted to be a PA. The only medical experience I have is I worked at a behavioral hospital for three months and quit because I was getting pushed around by the kids and got scared. I dropped my classes this semester and decided to take prereq. so that I can hopefully apply. As I research the program more, I am getting anxious because I don't have the experience needed yet I have worked very hard last year. It is hard to not question my family and friends bc they think I can do anything I put my mind to, so ive decided to ask the public, what do you recommend I do, take the prereqs or should I rethink the whole thing?