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.

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?

I am graduating from UCI with a BA in biological sciences, and I want to get into a PA program, but I don't know which one to choose. What is the difference between getting a certificate or a master's for a PA program?

In California if you apply to a non MS program most applicants have at least 2000 hours of clinical experience.

Raquel Yu in Irvine, California said: I am graduating from UCI with a BA in biological sciences, and I want to get into a PA program, but I don't know which one to choose. What is the difference between getting a certificate or a master's for a PA program?

Both let you sit for the PANCE, and if you pass both will allow you a license in CA. As far as coursework, the MS programs tend to be longer by a month or in one case longer. The MS programs may include a thesis or capstone project. You have to look at each program you are interested in applying carefully.
Good luck in your future PA endeavors
LesH
Goo

Hi everyone. I am about to attend National University for my BA so that i can try to apply at Western University for my masters in physician assistant. I am also wondering if I should just go to riverside community college and skip the whole bachlors and masters and just stick with the certificate for Physician assistant????? Help pleaseeeeee.

Hi I will be graduating from ungergrad this May with a 3.1 overall and a 3.0 science gpa. I know this is not good enough for pa school so I was thinking of doing a post bac or 1 yr of masters to show I will be able to handle upper level science courses? Has anyone done this or have any advice on what I should do? Thanks!

Hi I was wondering if there is a specific bachelor's degree that PA programs are looking for. I go to UCSD and the biology department is impacted, making it extremely hard to switch to the bio major. Anything would be helpful. Thank you!

I just recieved an invite for an interview at Hofstra Univ. They have a BS/MS program So i could choose to graduate and get my BS or take additioanl courses and get my MS as stated above. I was wondering if anyone knows the states that do not allow you to practice with just a BS even having passed the PANCE. ? i think its Mississippi and Ohio... but just double checking.

Thanks for the advice in advance.

Helen in La Jolla, California said: Hi I was wondering if there is a specific bachelor's degree that PA programs are looking for. I go to UCSD and the biology department is impacted, making it extremely hard to switch to the bio major. Anything would be helpful. Thank you!

PA schools really do not care what your degree is in as long as the pre-reqs are done and with good grades. I finished my BS in technology studies, a degree that allowed me to complete the pre-reqs w/o loosing any credits. My final GPA was a 3.43 and I have interviewed at only 3 or 7 programs I applied to. I was wait listed at one, which is a BS program CUNY York College in NY and does not use CASPA and it looks like I might get an offer from another BS/MS Touro College in NY. This is a long painful process but stick to your guns and keep those grades up... Being a science major you have a greater chance of messing up you GPA, and keep in mind the UG major accepted into med school the most last year was english...

So there is a chance I might get into two PA schools.

1. a BS program at a state university where the cost is about $2500/semester and the school does not use CASPA.

2. a BS/MS program at a private university where the total cost will be around $70K for the 24mo program and the school is on CASPA.

Is the extra debt worth getting the masters degree?

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?

Hi Rick! I might be in a similar situation when I graduate. I have a 1.5 - 2 years left for my degree at UCD and project a 2.9 GPA. But I'm withdrawing for a year to take my pre-reqs and refocus myself (I expect to do really well on pre-req GPA). My major is in Agriculture & Enviromental Education and I haven't done well because I was confused the whole time as to what I wanted to do. Now I know! But I feel like a complete failure and that I've blown any chance I have at ever becoming a PA. I'll have about 3 years of experience as a CNA by the time I attempt to apply to a PA school.

I'm hoping for good news from you that you were able to get into a PA program or even graduate school. Please let me know how things went. Or if anyone got into a PA program with very low GPA's I would love to hear from you. This will really lift my spirits!

Guys I need help please specially from those who are already PA's and have experience in the field-- I have been researching on this topic for the past weeks, have called PA association in NJ & NY, etc, but NOONE gives me a clear answer.. I have a BA in Biology graduated last year and have applied for some MS and BS pa programs in New York since Jersey only has two MS programs.. anyway if i do get interview for any of these, at the time of deciding where to go (MS or BS), i want to know what is the difference between practicing as a PA with a BS or MS degree. I know that all these programs are accredited and have the same time of curriculum and each give certification, but degree is different. But Im wondering when looking at Sophie Davis(BS) comparing it to for example Touro college that offers an MS degree, the tuition difference is huge... WHen I asked why they told me everything is the same, but i dont know, i mean if there is such a difference in tuition then there most be a reason... Im scared that if I do the BS program, once i become certified and graduate, once I look for a job i may get a lower pay or I dont know.. I know there has to be a difference. I know NY state allows BS and MS PA to practice, however Im not sure about NJ.. anyone know?? regardless of what it is I need to know what the difference is before I make a decision if i do get accepted.. Please guys help me out im confused. I know some will ask why I am going for a BS in PA if i already have a BA degree, but the BA programs caught my attention in that their tuition is cheaper and also main reason i applied to those is because deadline for these are usually later in the year, i was kinda late for the MS programs.. HELP HELP HELP. I will greatly appreciate your time and honesty...

Masters programs can have more qualified teachers/instructors. In terms of getting a job, while there are a few differences, you can get a job with a bachelors or a masters in most states. There might be subtle differences in in where you can branch off to. Example, if you want to get into administration or health policy, or lead a committee, you may need a masters.

Programs that offer a masters can sometimes be a little more well rounded than bachelors programs. There might be better student support, mentors, shadowing programs, advisors, teacher access, etc.

Masters programs usually have better graduation rates, higher PANCE pass rates, etc. It can be a little more competitive to get into a masters program, so it's usually a result of the students themselves being more qualified, and the program itself being more supportive of the students.