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Which PA Schools Require Less Than 1000 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience
This article provides a list of all PA schools (see below) that require between 500 and 999 hours minimum of direct patient care experience (healthcare experience). Where we have found information, we also include the PA shadowing requirements for each of these PA schools as well as the average PA shadowing and direct patient care hours for the school.
What Kind of Direct Patient Care Experience is Competitive for PA School?
Instead of averages, some schools listed the number of PA shadowing or patient care hours they consider competitive. We also provide examples of direct patient care experience for the PA schools that listed such examples (the list of examples for each school is not exhaustive). Where we have written ‘not found’, we were not able to find any information for that particular school.
Which PA Schools Can I Apply to if I Don’t Have 1000 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience?
PA school applicants who have accrued 500 hours or more of patient care experience for PA school but have not reached the 1000-hour mark should choose programs below whose requirements they meet. In addition, they can target programs that require fewer than 500 hours of direct patient care experience. As mentioned before, if you have between 500 and 1000 hours of patient care experience, you can also apply to PA schools that require more than 1000 hours if:
1) The school allows applicants to reach the 1000 hours mark after applying AND
2) You plan to continue accruing patient care hours after you submit your PA school application to reach their target hours
Am I Competitive for PA School With 500 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience?
There is a common misconception among PA school applicants that if they have fewer than a thousand hours of direct patient care experience, they stand no chance of getting into PA school. This is simply not true. If you target the right schools, you can be competitive!
Naturally, accruing more hours and reaching the 1000-hour mark can have a significant positive impact on the chances of PA school acceptance. This is why we advise PA students to aim for 1000 hours when possible. But many students get accepted to PA school with fewer than 1000 hours, especially if they have more than 500 hours.
Targeting the Right PA Schools is Key!
Applicants who have accrued between 500 and 1000 hours of direct patient care experience should target schools that do not have hard cutoffs for direct patient care experience hours and those with minimum cutoffs below 1000 hours whose requirements they meet.
Note: The information provided here is meant to complement any data found on the program’s website. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, we advise you to visit each school’s website and communicate with the school directly. Requirements may change and Admissions Helpers cannot guarantee that the information provided here is entirely up-to-date or accurate.
List of PA Schools Requiring Between 500 and 999 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience
Bay Path University, MA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3800 of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Nurse’s Aid, Respiratory Therapist, Medical Assistant (MA), Phlebotomist, Medical Scribe, Pharmacy Technician
Source: https://www.baypath.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-studies-ms/admission-requirements/
Bethel University, MN
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.bethel.edu/graduate/academics/physician-assistant/prerequisites
Brenau University, GA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.brenau.edu/programs/ms-physician-assistant-studies/
Canisius College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Required – 100 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Licenses Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), EMT, paramedic, respiratory therapist
Source: https://www.canisius.edu/academics/programs/graduate/physician-assistant-studies/physician-assistant-studies-admissions
Carroll University, WI
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2093 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.carrollu.edu/academics/health-sciences/ms-physician-assistant-studies/admission
Cedarville University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 750 hours minimum of paid experience or 1000 hours minimum of volunteer experience
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.cedarville.edu/academic-schools-and-departments/allied-health/physician-assistant-pa-program/pa-admission/admission-requirements
Central Michigan University (CMU), MI
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, medical assistant, radiologic technologist, EKG tech, EMT, licensed practical nurse (LPN), licensed vocational nurse, dental hygienist, clinical laboratorian
Source: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/herbert-h-grace-a-dow-college-of-health-professions/departments/school-rehabilitation-medical-sciences/physician-assistant/admission-requirements
Charleston Southern University. SC
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, can include shadowing with a medical provider such as a PA, NP, MD, or DO
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Acupuncturist, Athletic Trainer, Certified Physical/Occupational Therapist, Chiropractor, Corpsman, Dental Hygienist/Assisting, Dietician, EMT, Laboratory Technician, Massage Therapist, MA, Military Medic, CNA, LPN, RN, Paramedic, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomist, PT/OT Assistant, Radiological Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Scribe, Surgical Technician
Source:
www.charlestonsouthern.edu/academics/college-of-health-sciences/physician-assistant/admissions/application-requirements/
Colorado Mesa University, CO
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3493 average hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.coloradomesa.edu/kinesiology/graduate/pa-program/faq.html
Concordia University – WI
Shadowing Experience: Required –24 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, CNA, ER tech, EMT, paramedic
Source: https://www.cuw.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant-masters/index.html#admissions
CUNY York College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum at the time of application, 500 hours minimum prior to matriculation, volunteer or paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Medical scribe, EMT, medical assistant, patient care technician
Source: https://www.york.cuny.edu/health-professions/physician-assistant
Des Moines University, IA
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 750 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 750 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive. Patient care experiences through the military are very competitive.
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, Patient Care Tech, Phlebotomist, EMT, MA
Source: https://www.dmu.edu/pa/admission-requirements/
DeSales University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer work or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2304 of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, CNA, MA, surgical technician, patient care technician/associate, dietician, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, campus health center volunteer
Source: https://www.desales.edu/academics/academic-programs/detail/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies
Dominican University of California, CA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 8 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, phlebotomist, nurse, radiology technician, dental assistant, respiratory therapist, medical assistant, medical scribe
Source: https://www.dominican.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-science-physician-assistant-studies-mspas
Drexel University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 1906 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, CNA, dental hygienist/assistant, dietician, caregiver, EMT, paramedic, phlebotomist, MA, nurse, patient care technician, physical therapist
Source: https://drexel.edu/cnhp/academics/graduate/MHS-Physician-Assistant/
Drury University, MO
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 750 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, MA, LPN, RN, physical therapist, occupational therapist, PT aide, OT aide, military corpsman, EMT, paramedic, respiratory therapist, speech therapist, surgical technician, phlebotomist, radiology technician, athletic trainer, medical scribe
Source: https://www.drury.edu/graduate/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies/prospective-physician-assistant-students/
Emory & Henry College, VA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum at the time of application, 500 hours minimum by April 1of the year of matriculation
Competitive Clinical Experience: Average of 2618 hours of direct patient care experience and 63 hours of PA shadowing
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer, medical scribe, MA, nursing assistant, dental assistant, radiology technician, mental health counselor
Source: https://www.ehc.edu/academics/physician-assistant-studies/admission-tuition-info/
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 500 hours
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive Clinical Experience: More than 1000 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, LPN, EMT, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technologist, MA, CNA, Medic (Army), Chiropractor, Pharmacist, Optician, EKG Tech, Phlebotomist, Respiratory Therapist, Ultrasound Tech, Patient Care Tech, Radiologic Tech, Midwife, Cardiovascular Perfusionist, Home Health Aide, Dietician, Nutritionist, Exercise Physiologist, PT Aid, Athletic Trainer, Scribe, Speech Therapy, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Hygienist, Research Coordinator
Source: https://medicine.fiu.edu/academics/master-in-physician-assistant-studies-mpas/admissions/admission-requirements/index.html
Florida State University, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nursing assistant, EMT, paramedic, LPN, RN, BSN, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, athletic trainer, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, x-ray technician, MA, military medical technician/corpsman, international medical graduate, chiropractor, licensed massage therapist, optometrist, pharmacist
Source: https://med.fsu.edu/pa/admissions
Frostburg State University, MD
Shadowing Experience: Required – 8 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 500 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist, RN, Physical Therapist, Military Medical Corpsman, and Chiropractor
Source: https://www.frostburg.edu/programs/graduate-physician-assistant/Admission%20Requirements1.php
Grand Valley State University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2876 hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, nurse’s aide, patient care technician, EMT, MA, psychiatric care technician, phlebotomist, home health aide, research assistant involving clinical duties, volunteer work in healthcare setting involving clinical duties, medical mission trip volunteer, medical scribe, medical translator, internships and training programs, pharmacy technician, PT aide, dental hygienist, respiratory therapist, nurse, patient transport, athletic trainer, telehealth
Source: https://www.gvsu.edu/pas/admission-related-faq-106.htm
Hawai’i Pacific University, HI
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.hpu.edu/chs/mms-pa/admissions.html
Howard University Physician Assistant Program, DC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 800 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, MA, radiologic technologist, EKG tech, EMT, LPN, dental hygienist, or clinical laboratorians involving interaction with patients, or behavioral health technician
Source: https://cnahs.howard.edu/departments/physician-assistant/prospective-applicants
Ithaca College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Medical Scribe, Paramedic, MA, Nurse, Surgical Technician, Athletic Trainer, PT Aide, Medical Corpsman, volunteer hours in a healthcare setting involving direct interaction with patients
Source: https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-health-sciences-and-human-performance/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-studies/admission/admission-requirements
King’s College, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 8 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer, up to 200 shadowing hours or training courses in healthcare will count towards this requirement
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Emergency Medical Technician (actual patient contact hours can be claimed), Pharmacy Technician, Athletic Trainer, Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Physical Therapy Aide, Volunteering at camps with ill or mentally challenged clients (maximum of 10 hours per day), Medical Scribe
Source:https://www.kings.edu/academics/undergraduate_majors/physicianassistant/graduate_admission
Lawrence Technological University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum at the time of application, 750 hours minimum prior to matriculation
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 1000 hours of direct patient care experience at the time of the application is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, MA, EMT or paramedic, radiology technician, ECG technician, LPN or RN, phlebotomist, medical scribe (up to 500 hours), physical therapy assistant, surgical tech, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, athletic trainer
Source: https://www.ltu.edu/arts-sciences/nat-sci/grad-physician-assistants
Le Moyne College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Considered
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 750 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Physical Therapist, PT Assistant, Phlebotomist, Athletic Trainer, Mental Health Worker, Substance Dependency Counselor, Medical Scribe, Dentist, Dental Assistant, Paramedic, EMT, Military Medic/Corpsman, Nurse, CNA, Radiology Technician
Source: https://www.lemoyne.edu/Admission/Graduate-and-Professional-Admission/Physician-Assistant-Studies
Long Island University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 400 hours minimum at the time of application, 500 hours minimum prior to matriculation, paid or volunteer or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, surgical technologist, nurse, dental assistant, dental hygienist, CNA, home health aide, paramedic, physical therapist, phlebotomist, medical scribe
Source: https://liu.edu/brooklyn/academics
Marist College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum by January of matriculation year
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2834 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, nurse, medical assistant, CNA, ER tech, PT aide, phlebotomist
Source: https://www.marist.edu/science/physician-asst/programs/admissions
Marywood University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 50 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, up to 50 shadowing hours with a PA will count towards this requirement
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2525 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Certified athletic trainer, cardiovascular perfusionist, caregiver, dietician, ER technician, EMT, paramedic, exercise physiologist, home healthcare aide, MA, medical scribe, midwife, nurse, CNA, orthopedics technician, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, physical therapist, PT assistant, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, surgical technician
Source: https://www.marywood.edu/apply/physician-assistant
Mercy College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended – With a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer, 250 of the hours should be in primary care (outpatient internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology)
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.mercy.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant
Methodist University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – Minimum 50 hours, mostly with PAs
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3780 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, CNA, EMT, Paramedic, Medical Scribe, Respiratory Technician, Nursing, Surgical Technician, Military Medic, Phlebotomy, University Athletic Training, PT Aide, ER or Patient Technician
Source: https://www.methodist.edu/academics/program/paprogram/admissions/
Misericordia University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Pharmacist, Chiropractor, Corpsman/ Medic, RN, Nurse Practitioner, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, Podiatrist, Anesthesia Tech, Cardiovascular Tech, Athletic Trainer, ER Tech, Surgical Tech, Massage Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Certified OT Assistant, OT Tech, Physical Therapist, PT Assistant/Tech, Speech-Language Pathologist, ER Tech, LPN, MA, Phlebotomist, CNA, Pharmacy Tech, Personal Trainer, Medical Scribe
Source: https://www.misericordia.edu/physician-assistant/admission-requirements
Missouri State University, MO
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, patient care technician, health educator, respiratory therapist, athletic trainer, MA
Source: https://www.missouristate.edu/PAS/Graduate/AdmissionReq.htm
Morehouse School of Medicine, GA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2440 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT or paramedic, health educator, RN, patient care attendant or nurse’s aide, clinic assistant, Peace Corps volunteer, technologist, clinical research assistant
Source: https://www.msm.edu/physicianassistantprogram/admissions.php
Mount St. Joseph University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse aide, nursing assistant, MA, EMT, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, PT aide, paramedic experience
Source: https://www.msj.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-program/pa-admission-requirements/index.html
North Central College, IL
Shadowing Experience: Required – 15 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 750 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 108 hours of PA shadowing and 3795 of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, LPN, surgical technician, certified MA, CNA, registered dietitian, paramedic, EMT, athletic trainer, physical therapist, occupational therapist, phlebotomist, military medical corpsman, clinical research coordinator
Source: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/master-physician-assistant/how-to-apply
Northern Arizona University, AZ
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 4350 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, PT, respiratory therapist, OT, social worker, EMT, LPN, chiropractor, RN, CNA, nurse’s aide, medic or corpsman, paramedic, pharmacist, optometrist, nurse practitioner, foreign medical graduate, veterinarian, podiatrist, medical lab technician, medical technologist, athletic trainer, audiologist, exercise physiologist, radiology technician, phlebotomist, optometry technician, registered dietician, patient care assistant, and PT assistant
Source: https://nau.edu/physician-assistant/admission-requirements/
Northwestern College, IA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, MA, phlebotomist, physical therapist, scribe, dental hygienist
Source: https://www.nwciowa.edu/graduate/physician-assistant/how-to-apply
Oakland University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Required – With two different PAs
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, CNA, chiropractic assistant, community health worker, dental assistant, dental hygienist, EMT, paramedic, licensed medical massage therapist, LPN, MA, mental health aide or counselor, military corpsman/medic, nurse, dietitian, occupational therapist, OT aide, optometric technician, patient care technician, Peace Corp, pharmacist, pharmacy tech, phlebotomist, physical therapist, PT aide, radiology technician, registered behavior technician, research with patient contact, respiratory therapist, medical scribe, social worker, ultrasound technologist
Source: https://www.oakland.edu/shs/clinical-and-diagnostic-sciences/master-of-physician-assistant-science/
Penn State University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3680 hours of direct patient care experience, (range 500 to 23455)
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://med.psu.edu/physician-assistant/prerequisites
Radford University, VA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, CNA, ED scribe, MA, PT assistant, military medic, mental health counselor, radiology technician, respiratory therapist
Source: https://www.radford.edu/content/grad/home/academics/graduate-programs/pa/admission.html
Saint Louis University, MO
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer, paid experience is preferred
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2000 hours or more of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT, medical scribe, patient care technician
Source: https://www.slu.edu/doisy/degrees/graduate/physician-assistant-mms.php#text
St. Ambrose University, IA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.sau.edu/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/admission-and-application
St. Bonaventure University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer, paid experience is preferred
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RT, RN, paramedic, EMT, CNA, home health aide, ER tech, MA, scribe, pharmacy tech, ophthalmology tech, dental tech, psychiatry tech, phlebotomist, transport aid
Source: https://www.sbu.edu/academics/physician-assistant-studies/admission-criteria
Stephens College, MO
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum, 8 hours minimum must be with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3310 of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT, patient care technician
Source: https://www.stephens.edu/admission-aid/graduate/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/apply/entrance-requirements/
Sullivan University, KY
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.sullivan.edu/college-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-prerequisites
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, NY
Shadowing Experience: Considered
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, volunteer or paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, nurse’s aide, corpsman, medical laboratory technologist, respiratory therapist, EMT
Source: https://www.downstate.edu/education-training/school-of-health-professions/admissions/physician-assistant/requirements.html
SUNY Upstate Medical University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Military corpsman or medic, RN, CNA, EMT, Paramedic, Massage Therapist, Radiation Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Phlebotomist, X-Ray Technologist, Medical Imaging, MA, Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, PT Aide, Athletic Trainer, Medical Scribe
Source: https://www.upstate.edu/chp/programs/pa/pa_reqs.php
Touro University Nevada
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Medical Tech, ER Tech, CNA, PT Aide, Paramedic, EKG Tech, Radiation Therapist, Radiology Tech, Corpsman, Medical Imaging, MA, Respiratory Tech, Athletic Trainer, Chiropractor
Source: https://tun.touro.edu/programs/physician-assistant-studies/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/pa-application–requirements/
Towson University CCBC – Essex, MD
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 800 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 1600 hours of direct patient care experience or more is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, Physical Therapist, RN, Dentist, Pharmacist, EMT, PT Aide, MA, CNA, Scribe, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapist Tech, OT Tech, Phlebotomist, Clinical Research Assistant, Lab Assistant
Source: https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/health-sciences/grad/physician-assistant/admission/
University of Arkansas, AR
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2541 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, Dental Hygienist, Dietician, ER Technician, Home Health Aide, LPN, MA, Medical Corpsman, Nursing Assistant/Aide, Occupational Therapist, Ophthalmology Technician, Paramedic, EMT, Patient Care Technician, Peace Corp Volunteer, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, PT Assistant, Radiology Technician, RN, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technology
Source: https://healthprofessions.uams.edu/programs/physicianassistant/prerequisites/
University of California San Diego, CA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, volunteer or paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, LPN, Respiratory Therapist, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Athletic Trainer, Medic/Corpsman, Pharmacist, Dietitian, Perfusionist, Midwife, CNA, Certified MA, Dental Hygienist, LCSW, Speech Pathologist, EMT, Medical Scribe, Radiology Tech, ER Tech, Phlebotomist, PT/OT Aide, Research Assistant, Medical Interpreter, Pharmacy Tech, EKG Tech, Psychiatry Tech, Laboratory Tech
Source: https://paeducation.ucsd.edu/
University of Dubuque, IA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 8 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 500 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, Nurse Practitioner, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, Pharmacist, Athletic Trainer, Corpsman/Medic/Independent Medical Tech (Army/Air Force), Exercise Physiologist, Occupational Therapist, Veterinarian, Respiratory Therapist, Orthotist/Prosthetist, EMT, LPN, Certified MA, Dental Hygienist, Scribe, PT Assistant, Surgical Tech, Radiology Tech, Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Dietician, Research Coordinator, Medical Laboratory Scientist
Source: https://www.dbq.edu/Academics/GraduatePrograms/MasterofScienceinPhysicianAssistantStudies/AdmissionPrerequisitesandRequirements/
University of Lynchburg, VA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 8 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Median of 2260 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, paramedic, EMT, military medic, nurse, nurse aide, laboratory technician, radiology technician, respiratory therapist, and surgical technician
Source: https://www.lynchburg.edu/graduate/master-of-pa-medicine/for-interested-students/program-prerequisites/
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MD
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, nurse aide, phlebotomist, MA, radiologic technologist, EKG tech, EMT, LPN, dental hygienist, behavioral health technician
Source: https://wwwcp.umes.edu/pa/admissions-process/
University of Michigan – Flint, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer, paid experience is preferred
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, CNA, Chiropractic Assistant, Community Health Worker, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, EMT, Paramedic, Licensed Medical Massage Therapist, LPN, MA, Mental Health Aide or Counselor, Military Corpsman/Medic, Nurse, Dietitian, Occupational Therapist, OT Aide, Optometric Technician, Patient Care Technician, Peace Corp Volunteer, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Aide, Radiology Technician, Registered Behavior Technician, Clinical Research Involving Patient Contact, Respiratory Therapist, Scribe, Social Worker, Ultrasound Technologist
Source: https://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/physician-assistant-ms/#admissionrequirements
University of New England, ME
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: PT assistant, phlebotomist, ER technician, optometry/ophthalmic technician, CNA, MA, home health aide, LPN, RN, respiratory therapist, athletic trainer, audiologist, behavioral health technician, exercise physiologist in clinical setting, surgical technician, dental assistant, pharmacist, registered dietitian, social worker, radiology technician, therapeutic massage therapist, chiropractor, medic or corpsman, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, occupational therapist, paramedic, EMT, ski patrol
Source: https://www.une.edu/wchp/pa/admissions
University of Pittsburgh, PA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, EMT, paramedic, MA, PT/OT assistant
Source: https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/PAProgram/admission
University of South Carolina, SC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 2000 hours of direct patient care experience or more is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Military Medic/Clinical Specialist, Corpsman, Surgical Technician, Radiological Technician, CNA, Phlebotomist, Athletic Trainer, Scribe, LPN, RN, Certified MA, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, PT/OT Assistant, Home Health Aide, Medical Interpreter, Dietitian, Pharmacy Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Ophthalmic Technician
Source:
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/medicine/education/graduate_programs/physician_assistant/admission/index.php
University of South Dakota, SD
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://catalog.usd.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=36&ent_oid=2062
University of South Florida, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2141 of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, MA, scribe, patient care technician, nurse, surgical technician, athletic trainer, PT aide
Source: https://health.usf.edu/medicine/pa/prospective-students/requirements
University of St. Francis (New Mexico)
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 5282 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.stfrancis.edu/physician-assistant-studies-ms/faqs/
University of the Cumberlands – Williamsburg, KY
Shadowing Experience: Required – 50 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, LPN, CNA, respiratory therapist, MA, speech and language pathologist, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, x-ray technician, surgical technician, athletic trainer, and phlebotomist
Source: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/graduate/programs/master-science-physician-assistant-studies/admission
University of the Cumberlands, Northern Kentucky Campus, KY
Shadowing Experience: Required – 50 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, LPN, CNA, respiratory therapist, MA, speech and language pathologist, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, x-ray technician, surgical technician, athletic trainer, and phlebotomist
Source: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/graduate/programs/master-science-physician-assistant-studies/admission
Wayne State University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, health educator, RN, nurse’s aide, PT or OT aide, exercise physiologist, international health care volunteer, medical technologist, clinical research assistant
Source: https://cphs.wayne.edu/physician-assistant/admissions-requirements.php
Weber State University, UT
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.weber.edu/pa/admissions.html
Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://gradschool.weill.cornell.edu/programs/health-sciences-physician-assistants
Westfield State University, MA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 4234 direct patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Scribe, Paramedic, Healthcare Volunteer, Nurse’s Aide
Source: https://www.westfield.ma.edu/academics/degrees/ms-physician-assistant-studies/admission-requirements
Wingate University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT, phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, scribe in an emergency department
Source: https://www.wingate.edu/academics/graduate/physician-assistant-studies/pa-admissions
How to Increase my Chances of PA School Acceptance if I Have Fewer than 1000 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience?
PA schools look at many different aspects of a PA school applicant’s background including the amount and type of direct patient care experience, shadowing experience with a PA or other healthcare providers, and the applicant’s academic background including the GPA and the GRE or PA-CAT scores for schools that require these standardized tests. One way to increase your chances is to make sure these other aspects of your PA school application are strong.
It’s Never Too Late to Accrue More Patient Care Hours for PA School!
It helps greatly to accrue more hours of direct patient care experience even after submitting the CASPA application. As mentioned, some schools allow applicants to accrue hours towards their minimum even after the CASPA is submitted. But remember, even if you have already met a school’s minimum when you apply, showing the school that you are continuing to gain direct patient care experience can boost your chances of getting an interview and acceptance.
Don’t Get Discouraged by PA Schools’ Average Patient Care Hours
Some PA school applicants get discouraged when they see that their patient care hours fall significantly below the average of their target PA schools (even if they meet the minimum requirement). While it’s wise to try to exceed the minimum hours for a school, averages should be taken with a grain of salt because a handful of individuals with many patient care hours can often skew the average for a PA school.
The Guy with 14,000 Hours Skews the Average!
We recently advised a student who had been working for many years as a respiratory therapist before deciding to go to PA school. He was accepted to multiple PA schools with 14,000 hours of direct patient care experience – much higher than most successful PA school applicants accrue.
If a school with 25 seats accepts two people like him but all other accepted students have 500 hours of direct patient care experience, that raises the average hours of accepted applicants to 1580. A person applying to PA school with 500 hours may look at this average and get discouraged when in fact, their hours match the majority of accepted students.
See List of PA Schools that Require Less than 500 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience
See List of PA Schools that Require 1000 Hours or More of Direct Patient Care Experience