Which PA Schools Require Little or No Patient Care Experience (PCE)? | 0-500 Hour List
Deciphering the patient care experience (PCE) requirements for PA schools can be difficult, especially for applicants with fewer hours. This article provides a list of all PA schools (see below) that DO NOT have hard requirements for direct patient care experience (PCE) or healthcare experience. We also include PA schools that require fewer than 500 hours of PCE. Along with the PCE requirements for each of these programs, we have also listed their PA shadowing requirements.
For each school, we have included the following information where available:
- Average direct patient care experience (PCE) and PA shadowing hours of accepted students
- Number of hours of direct patient care experience and shadowing that the PA school considers competitive
- Examples of direct patient care experience (these examples are not exhaustive)
Where we have written ‘not found’, we were not able to find information for that school.
It’s worth noting that while many of these schools will consider applicants without any PCE or healthcare experience, most still recommend PCE.
What are the Easiest PA Schools to Get Into With No (or Low) Patient Care Experience?
If you plan to apply to PA school with little or no patient care experience, PA schools that do not have a hard minimum number of hours and those with lower minimum PCE hour cutoffs are the easiest to get into. To be most competitive at these programs, it helps to have a strong GPA, impressive community service, or unique life experiences that showcase your readiness for the PA profession.
Can I Get into PA School Without Patient Care Experience?
Yes, it is possible to get into PA school without any patient care experience, but it is highly competitive. The vast majority of PA school applicants who get accepted to PA school have some PCE hours.
Advice for PA School Applicants without Direct Patient Care Experience
All PA schools in the United States (even ones that do not require it) prefer applicants with direct patient care experience and physician assistant shadowing experience. If you do not have PCE, the best way to increase your chances of PA school acceptance is to accrue hours.
What if I Cannot Gain Direct Patient Care Experience Before I Apply to PA School?
If you plan to apply to PA school with little or no direct patient care experience or shadowing, you must be strategic about where you apply. Remember that many schools set minimum cutoffs for direct patient care hours.
Targeting the right PA schools is key!
When you apply, you should target programs whose minimum requirements you meet. Many programs use automatic filters to reject applicants who do not meet their minimum PCE cutoffs. To avoid being rejected in the initial screening round, you should only target programs whose minimum requirements you already meet. The list below is designed to help you identify those specific schools.
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 the 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 that Require Fewer than 500 Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience (PCE)
AdventHealth University
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct patient care experience: Strongly recommended – 2000 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 5098 average hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct patient care experience: Athletic Trainer, Audiologist, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Pharmacy Technician in a Hospital, Clinical Researcher, Dental Hygienist, MA, Military Corpsman, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy (PT) Assistant, Radiology Technologist, Registered Dietician, Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Respiratory therapist, Surgical technician
Source: https://www.ahu.edu/programs/ms-physician-assistant-studies/admissions
Alvernia University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Acupuncturist, Addiction Counselor, Behavioral Therapist, Cardiovascular Tech, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Chiropractor or Chiropractic Assistant, Clinical Psychologist, Dental Hygienist or Dental Assistant, Doula/Midwife, EMT or Paramedic, Exercise Physiologist or Certified Athletic Trainer, Medic/Corpman (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Airforce, Marine), Medical Assistant, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist Tech, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapy Tech, Radiation Therapist, Rape Crisis Counselor, Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist
Source: https://www.alvernia.edu/academics/grad/PA-post-bacc
Arcadia University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2716 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, Phlebotomist, PT Aide, EMT, Paramedic, MA, Patient Care Technician, Personal Care Assistant, Athletic Trainer, Neurotology Assistant, Ophthalmic Technician, EKG Technician
Source: www.arcadia.edu/majors-and-programs/physician-assistant/admission/
Arcadia University, DE
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2716 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, Phlebotomist, PT Aide, EMT, Paramedic, MA, Patient Care Technician, Personal Care Assistant, Athletic Trainer, Neurotology Assistant, Ophthalmic Technician, EKG Technician
Source: www.arcadia.edu/majors-and-programs/physician-assistant/admission/
Ashland University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.ashland.edu/program/physician-assistant-studies-pa-masters
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (Central Coast), CA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, Paramedic, EMT, CNA, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Dental Hygienist
Source: https://www.atsu.edu/college-for-healthy-communities/admissions/admissions-requirements
Augusta University, GA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 160 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, LPN, CNA, MA, Medical Scribe, EMT, or Pharmacy Tech
Source: https://www.augusta.edu/alliedhealth/physician-assistant/requirements.php
Austin College, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended, volunteer or paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 500 hours minimum of direct patient care experience is competitive. Average number of patient care hours for the Class of 2026 was 2929 hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Medical scribe, certified nurse assistant, physical therapy aide, medical assistant, emergency medical technician, paramedic, phlebotomist, and home health aide
Source: https://paprogram.austincollege.edu/admissions/
Baldwin Wallace University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Not required
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: None found
Source: www.bw.edu/academics/physician-assistant/admission/
Barry University, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – 1000 hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 1000 hours of minimum of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, EMT, CNA, MA, phlebotomist, scribe, phlebotomist, surgery technician, athletic trainer, physical therapist
Source: https://www.barry.edu/en/academics/health-sciences/physician-assistant/admission-requirements/
Baylor College of Medicine, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.bcm.edu/education/school-of-health-professions/physician-assistant-program/admissions/prerequisites
Berry College, GA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – no minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: At least 500 patient contact and/or clinical experience hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, Paramedic, EMT, CNA, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Dental Hygienist
Source: https://berry.edu/academics/graduate-studies/physician-associate/admission
Bethel University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average is 901 hours for Health Care Experience and 3587 Hours for Patient Care Experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Paramedic, Nurse, Pharmacist, PT Assistant, Combat Medic
Source: www.bethelu.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-health-sciences/physician-assistant-studies/pa-program-application-acceptance
Boston University School of Medicine, MA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.bu.edu/paprogram-2/admissions/how-to-apply/
Brescia University, KY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – no minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.brescia.edu/program/physician-assistant-program/
Butler University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.butler.edu/pharmacy-health/physician-assistant/admission-information/
Chamberlain University – AZ
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.chamberlain.edu/academics/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/arizona/phoenix
Chamberlain University, IL
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.chamberlain.edu/academics/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/illinois/chicago
Charles R. Drew University, CA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 2000 hours, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, CNA, Medical Scribe, Behavioral Specialist, Registered Dietitian, Pharmacy Technician, MA, Patient Care Technician, Radiology Technician, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, PT Aide, Athletic Training, Dental Hygienist, Paramedic, EMT, Respiratory Therapist, Researcher with Patient Care Responsibilities, Optometric Assistant
Source: https://www.cdrewu.edu/academics/program/master-of-science-physician-assistant/
Chatham University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 24 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Not required but considered
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 750 hours of direct patient care experience and 75 hours of PA shadowing is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.chatham.edu/academics/graduate/physician-assistant-studies/admissions-process-and-requirements.html
College of Saint Mary, NE
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.csm.edu/academics/health-human-services/master-science-physician-assistant-studies
College of St. Scholastica, MN
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – 750 hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 750 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, personal care attendant, EMT, paramedic, medical scribe
Source: https://www.css.edu/academics/programs/graduate/master-of-science-pa-medicine/
Commonwealth University Physician Assistant Program, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – no minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.commonwealthu.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant/admission-criteria
Concord University, WV
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum 40 hours with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – no minimum hours, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 40 hours minimum of PA shadowing and 500-1000 hours of patient care or healthcare experience is considered average
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: LPN, RN, medical assistant, paramedic, military medic, CNA, scribe, phlebotomist, or healthcare technician
Source: https://www.concord.edu/pa
Creighton University – Omaha, NE
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, MA, EMT, clinical nutritionist or dietician, clinical research assistant, community health worker, emergency room technician, lab assistant/phlebotomist, medic or medical corpsman, medical scribe, paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer, phlebotomist, PT aide, RN, licensed practical nurse (LPN), surgical technician
Source: www.creighton.edu/medicine/programs/physician-assistant-mpas/admissions
Creighton University – Phoenix, AZ
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, MA, EMT, clinical nutritionist or dietician, clinical research assistant, community health worker, emergency room technician, lab assistant/phlebotomist, medic or medical corpsman, medical scribe, paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer, phlebotomist, PT aide, RN/LPN, surgical technician
Source: www.creighton.edu/medicine/programs/physician-assistant-mpas-phoenix/admissions
D’Youville University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – no minimum hours, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.dyu.edu/academics/degrees-programs/physician-assistant-ms
Daemen University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 120 hours minimum, paid or volunteer work or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.daemen.edu/academics/scott-bieler-college-health-professions/physician-assistant/physician-assistant-studies
Delaware Valley University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 200 hours of patient care experience or shadowing with a PA
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 8698 Average Healthcare and Patient Care Hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://delval.edu/programs/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-studies
Dominican University, IL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 45 hours minimum of PA shadowing/observation
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 750 hours minimum, paid or volunteer experience
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 750 hours of direct patient care hours is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Dietitian, RN, Athletic Trainer, CNA, Medical Assistant, Anesthesia Tech, EMT, Patient Care Tech, Home Health Aide, Ophthalmic Tech, Nurse Aide, PT Aide, Rehab Aide, ER Tech, Phlebotomist, Medical Scribe, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant
Source: https://www.dom.edu/academics/grad-phd/health-sciences/mms-physician-assistant-studies/admission-requirements
East Carolina University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 1000 hours of direct patient care is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, MA, medical scribe, patient care technician, nurse, surgical tech, athletic trainer, PT aide.
Source: pa.ecu.edu/admissions/
Eastern Michigan University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, paramedics, respiratory therapists, medical corpsmen, radiology technicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, social workers, patient care technicians, physical therapy assistants, dental assistants, CNAs, medical scribes
Source: https://www.emich.edu/chhs/pas/admissions/clinical-experience.php
Elizabethtown College, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, MA, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, physical therapist, PT assistant, occupational therapist, OT assistant, military corpsman, EMT, paramedic, respiratory therapist, speech therapist, surgical technician, phlebotomist, radiology technician, athletic trainer, medical scribe
Source: www.etown.edu/schools/school-of-human-and-health-professions/physician-assistant/program-details.aspx
Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 25 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 400 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Certified athletic trainer, CNA, ECG technician, emergency medicine technician/paramedic, MA, medical scribe, patient care technician/assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, PT aide, registered nurse, respiratory therapist, and ultrasonographer
Source: www.fdu.edu/academics/colleges-schools/pharmacy/pa/admissions/
Faulkner University, AL
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3008 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Allied Healthcare Provider, Emergency Department/Hospital Clinic Technician, MA, CNA, EMT or Paramedic, Operating Room Technician, Emergency Department/Clinic Scribe, Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Therapist/Aide, Radiology Technician/Technologist, RN/LPN
Source: www.faulkner.edu/graduate/graduate-degrees/physican-assistant-studies-ms-pas/
Florida Gulf Coast University, FL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – 20 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, Cardiovascular Technologist, CNA, Chiropractor, Dental Hygienist/Assistant, Dietician, EMT/Paramedic, Emergency Room Technician, Epidemiologist, Exercise Physiologist, Hospital Pharmacy Technician, MA, Medical Scribe, Military Corpsman/Medic, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Ophthalmology Technician, Orthopedic Technician, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, PT Assistant, Podiatrist, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technician, Ultrasound Technician, X-Ray Technician, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Source: www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/healthsciences/physicianassistantstudies-mpas-faq
Francis Marion University, SC
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 250 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Paramedic, Nursing, Respiratory therapist, Athletic Trainer, Medical Assistant, Med Tech, Radiology Tech, ER Tech, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Scribe, Medical Military areas
Source: https://www.fmarion.edu/paprogram/mspas-admissions/
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (Our Lady of the Lake College), LA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 95 hours of PA shadowing and 1452 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Phlebotomy, EKG technician, CNA, nurses, paramedics/EMT, respiratory therapists, clinical laboratory sciences, radiologic technologists, nuclear medicine technicians
Source: franu.edu/academics/academic-programs/physician-assistant-studies
Franklin College, IN
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, CNA, MA, EMT, paramedic, emergency room technician, scribe, surgical tech, athletic trainer, PT aide
Source: https://franklincollege.edu/academics/what-to-study/graduate-programs-at-franklin-college/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies/admissions-and-policies/admission-requirements/
Gannon University, Ruskin, FL
Shadowing Experience: Required if applicant has no direct patient care experience – 30 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 30 hours minimum, paid or volunteer or PA shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.gannon.edu/academic-offerings/health-professions-and-sciences/ruskin/physician-assistant/admission-requirements/
George Fox University, OR
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended, paid experience,
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 2000 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Paid Healthcare Experience: Military medic, EMT, paramedic, ER technician, RN, LPN, CNA, MA, medical scribe, phlebotomist, surgical assistant, dental assistant. Different experiences are weighed differently at this program.
Source: https://www.georgefox.edu/pa/admissions/index.html#application-requirements
Hardin-Simmons University, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Medical assistant, nursing, phlebotomy, CNA
Source: www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-program/
Harding University, AR
Shadowing Experience: Required – 10 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, ER Tech, EMT, Paramedic, Nurse, CNA, Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist, Scribe, PT Aid, Hospice Volunteer, Volunteer in Health Care Setting, Medical Missions
Source: https://www.harding.edu/allied-health/physician-assistant/admissions/
High Point University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 15 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.highpoint.edu/physicianassistant/admission-requirements/
Hofstra University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 50 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Hospital or clinic volunteer, MA, patient care technician, ER Tech, CNA, phlebotomist, nurse, respiratory therapist, EMT, paramedic, pharmacy technician, PT aide, in-person medical scribe
Source: www.hofstra.edu/physician-assistant-studies/ms-applicants.html
Idaho State University, ID
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.isu.edu/pa/admission/admission-requirements/
Indiana State University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Phlebotomy, nurse aide, medical assistant
Source: https://indianastate.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/physician-assistant-studies-ms
Indiana University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Required – no minimum hours
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – no minimum hours, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://shhs.indianapolis.iu.edu/academics/physician-assistant-studies/admissions/index.html
Johnson & Wales University, RI
Shadowing Experience: Required – no minimum hours
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, CNA, EMT, medical scribe, medic or corpsman, ER technician, paramedic, audiologist, radiology technician, respiratory therapist, phlebotomist, occupational therapist, registered dietitian in a clinical setting, patient care assistant, physical therapist, pharmacist in a clinical setting, exercise physiologist or athletic trainer in a clinical setting.
Source: www.jwu.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-health-and-wellness/physician-assistant-studies/applying-to-the-program.html
Kansas State University, KS
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 750 hours of direct patient care hours is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Chiropractor, Foreign Medical Graduate, RN, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Exercise Physiologist, Athletic Trainer, Veterinarian, Corpsman (Navy), Medic (Army), EMT, LPN, CNA, Dental Hygienist, Home Health Aide, Medical Scribe, MA, Clinical Researcher
Source: https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/health-sciences/academics/graduate/physician-assistant/admission/
Kean University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteering, medical scribe, PT aide, patient care technician, pharmacy technician, ophthalmology technician, EMT
Source: https://www.kean.edu/academics/physician-assistant-studies/physician-assistant-studies-admission-requirements
Kettering College, OH
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Patient Care Associate (PCA), Phlebotomist, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Dietician/Nutritionist, EMT, Medical Mission Trips, Medical Scribe, Pharmacy Tech, EKG Tech, Surgical Tech, Respiratory Therapist, Nursing, Athletic Trainer
Source: kc.edu/academics/physician-assistant/admission-requirements/
Lake Erie College, OH
Shadowing Experience: Required – 24 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 250 hours, paid or volunteer or shadowing experience
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Shadowing, clinical volunteering, EMT, nurse, CNA, respiratory therapist, paramedic, athletic trainer, pharmacy technician, scribe
Source: www.lec.edu/pa/physician-assistant-admission/
Larkin University, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – 1000 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Registered nurse, paramedic, EMT, physical therapist, nursing assistant, medical assistant, or clinical research coordinator, health educator scribe
Source: https://www.larkin.edu/academics/physician-assistant-program/admission-2/
Lincoln Memorial University – Harrogate, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA. At least 20 of the hours must be in primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or emergency medicine, or urgent care).
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 150 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, physical therapist/PT aide or assistant, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, EMT/paramedic, CNA, nurse, phlebotomist, medical corpsman, pharmacist assistant, hospital social worker, psychologist, x-ray tech, ER tech, clinical health education, athletic trainer, hospice, dietician, scribe, dental assistant/hygienist, certified pharmacy technician.
Source: www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/pa-harrogate/admissions/admissions-criteria
Lincoln Memorial University – Tampa, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/pa-tampa/admissions
Lincoln Memorial University – Knoxville, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required – 24 hours minimum with a PA, MD, DO, DPM, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/pa-knoxville/application-and-admission
Lipscomb University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required – no minimum hours, with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 87 hours of shadowing and 2389 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, CNA, MA, patient care technician, athletic trainer, PT assistant, paramedic, EMT, emergency room technician, home health aide, and phlebotomist
Source: www.lipscomb.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant-studies
Lock Haven University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.lockhaven.edu/physicianassistant/#tab-3
Louisiana State University – Health Sciences Center Shreveport, LA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 80 hours minimum, patient contact or shadowing
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, phlebotomist, physical therapist, dental hygienist, ER tech, Ophthalmology Technician
Source: https://shps.lsuhs.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant/admissions
Louisiana State University – New Orleans, LA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 40 minimum hours, with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 80 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, licensed vocational nurse, MA, medical scribe, medical technologist, military medical corpsman, nursing assistant, paramedic, psychiatric technician, radiologic technician, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, registered nurse, volunteer
Source: https://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/pa/paprospectivestudents.aspx
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, VA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3295 hours of patient care experiences and 1443 hours of healthcare experience hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.evms.edu/education/masters_programs/physician_assistant/admissions_information/
Marietta College, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 1717 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, nurse assistant, MA, phlebotomist, paramedic, athletic trainer, patient care technician, triage assistant, surgical specialist, radiologic technician, scribe, pharmacy technician, EMT, medical lab tech, research assistant
Source: www.marietta.edu/pa-admissions
Marquette University, WI
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer experience
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nursing assistant, EMT, scribe, volunteer patient care within a nursing home or hospital, radiology tech, phlebotomist
Source: https://www.marquette.edu/physician-assistant/apply-graduate.php
Marshall University, WV
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: jcesom.marshall.edu/students/physician-assistant-program/prospective-students/
Mary Baldwin University (Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences), VA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://marybaldwin.edu/admissions-aid/graduate-admissions/health-professions/
MCPHS University – Manchester, NH / Worcester, MA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – 250 to 500 hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/physican-assistant-studies-mpas-accelerated
MCPHS University- Boston, MA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.mcphs.edu/academics/school-of-physician-assistant-studies/physician-assistant/physician-assistant-studies-mpas
Medical University of South Carolina, SC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 1000 or more hours of Direct Patient Care Experience is considered competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, Chiropractor, Clinical Psychologist, Navy Corpsman, Dental Hygienist, Dietitian/Nutritionist, EEG/EKG Tech, EMT/Paramedic, ER Tech, Exercise Physiologist/Athletic Trainer, Home Health Aide, Medic (Army), MA, Nurse, OT Assistant, Patient Care Assistant/Tech, PT Assistant, Physician, Phlebotomist, Respiratory Therapist, Scribe
Source: chp.musc.edu/academics/physician-assistant/admissions
Meharry Medical College, TN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://meharry.edu/academics/schools/school-of-graduate-studies/admissions-and-aid/physician-assistant-admission-requirements/
Mercy College of Ohio, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: mercycollege.edu/academics/programs/graduate/physician-assistant-studies
Mercyhurst University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.mercyhurst.edu/academics/grad/physician-assistant-studies/admission-requirements
Miami University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 400 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse’s Aide, Nursing Assistant, MA, EMT, PT Aide, Paramedic
Source: https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-programs/physician-associate/admission-requirements.html
Miami-Dade College, FL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – suggested 50 hours with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – no minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, Dietitian, Respiratory Therapist, Scribe, Medical Lab Technologist, Medical Assistant, LPN, EMT/Paramedic, Dental Hygienist, CNA, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomy, RN, Medic/Corpsman, Chiropractor, Pharmacist, Physical Therapist, Dentist, Nurse Practitioner/midwife
Source: https://www.mdc.edu/physicianassistant/admissions.aspx
Michigan State University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: pa.com.msu.edu/future-students/admission-requirements
Middle Tennessee State University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Medical scribing does not count
Source: www.mtsu.edu/programs/physician-assistant-studies-ms/requirements
Midwestern University (Glendale), AZ
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average paid healthcare hours between 500-2000 hours; majority of the matriculating class have >2000 hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/admissions-process
Milligan University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – with a PA, MD, DO, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum, patient care or observation
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Shadowing, CNA, Patient Care Technician, MA, Paramedic, EMT, Nurse, Respiratory Therapist or Respiratory Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist or PT Assistant, Occupational Therapist or OT Assistant, Speech Language Pathologist, Athletic Trainer, EKG Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Scribe, Radiology Technician, Home Health Aid, Chiropractor, Dietician, Nuclear Medicine Technician, Exercise Physiologist, Operating Room Technician, Phlebotomist, Dental Hygienist
Source: https://www.milligan.edu/academics/programs/graduate-physician-assistant-studies/
Mississippi College, MS
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 1000 hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Two years of Direct Patient Care Experience is highly competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: RN, LPN, Respiratory Therapist, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, EMT, Patient Care Tech, Radiology Technologist, Certified Athletic Trainer, CNA, Medical Assistant, Surgical Tech
Source: https://www.mc.edu/academics/departments/pa/admissions
Mississippi State University – Meridian, MS
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum with a DO, MD, or PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 80 hours minimum, volunteer or paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 1000 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, licensed vocational nurse, MA, medical scribe, medical technologist, military medical corpsman, nursing assistant, paramedic, psychiatric technician, radiologic technician, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, registered nurse
Source: https://www.meridian.msstate.edu/academics/school-health-professions/master-physician-assistant-studies/admissions
Monmouth University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer, up to 20 shadowing hours with a PA will count towards this requirement
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2504 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT/Paramedic, CNA, LPN, MA, medical scribe, OT Assistant, PT Assistant, phlebotomist
Source: www.monmouth.edu/graduate/ms-physician-assistant/admission-requirements/
Mount St Mary’s University, MD
Shadowing Experience: Not required, not an accepted experience
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 400 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, certified nursing assistant (CNA or GNA), chiropractor, dental assistant, emergency medical technician, imaging technologist, medical assistant, medical research, medical technologist, mental health worker, military medic, RN/ LPN, occupational therapy assistant, paramedic, phlebotomist, physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, respiratory therapist, scribe (in a clinical setting with patient facing exposure)
Source: https://msmary.edu/academics/graduate-school/master-of-medical-science-physician-assistant/admissions.html
New York Institute of Technology, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – with a PA, MD or DO
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average hours combined for patient care and shadowing is 2167 (Range 258–9184)
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Dental hygienist, doula, EMT, home health aide, MA, military medical/clinical specialist, nursing assistant, nurse, occupational therapist, paramedic, phlebotomist, PT assistant
Source: https://www.nyit.edu/academics/degrees/physician-assistant-studies-ms/admission-requirements/
North Greenville University, SC
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – paid experience
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 4609 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, nurse, CNA, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, athletic trainer, MA
Source: https://www.ngu.edu/about/our-colleges/allied-health/pa-program-information/pa-admissions/
Northeastern State University, OK
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, phlebotomist, nursing aide, home health care
aide, hospice volunteer, community mental health volunteer
Source: academics.nsuok.edu/healthprofessions/DegreePrograms/Graduate/PhysicianAssistantStudies/ApplyingforAdmission/default.aspx
Northeastern University, MA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended – 1000 hours minimum, paid or volunteer prior to application deadline
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 1800 hours minimum of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Taking vital signs, performing EKGs, drawing blood, changing bandages and dressings, splinting, casting, removing sutures, bathing and toileting, scribing, and mental health counseling
Source: https://bouve.northeastern.edu/programs/physician-assistant-ms/#admissions
Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 30 months of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: healthsciences.nova.edu/pa/fortlauderdale/faq.html
Nova Southeastern University – Fort Myers, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended, paid or volunteer, should include exposure to PAs or NPs
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: healthsciences.nova.edu/pa/fort-myers/faq.html
Nova Southeastern University – Jacksonville, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended, paid or volunteer, should include exposure to PAs or NPs
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: healthsciences.nova.edu/pa/jacksonville/faq.html
Nova Southeastern University – Orlando, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended, paid or volunteer, should include exposure to PAs or NPs
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: healthsciences.nova.edu/pa/orlando/faq.html
Ohio Dominican University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, Patient Care Associate, Phlebotomist, MA, Dietician/Nutritionist, EMT, Medical Mission Trips, Medical Scribe, Dental Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, Athletic Trainer
Source: https://www.ohiodominican.edu/academics/masters-degrees/physician-assistant-program/faqs.html
Ohio University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – No minimum hours, within five years of matriculation
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2164 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, MA, Military Medic, Corpsman or Technician, Nurse, Nursing Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Paramedic/EMT, Pharmacist, Physical Therapist, Radiology Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technician, Phlebotomist, Assisted Living Technician, EKG/ECG Technician
Source: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/physician-assistant/admissions
Oklahoma City University, OK
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.okcu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/college-of-health/physician-assistant-program/frequently-asked-questions
Oklahoma State University, OK
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 200 hours of shadowing and 2009 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: medicine.okstate.edu/pa/prospective-students.html
Pace University – Pleasantville, NY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 1658 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.pace.edu/college-health-professions/departments/physician-assistant/pleasantville/admissions/academic-prerequisites
Pace University – Lenox Hill Hospital, NY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2526 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT/paramedic, patient care assistant, MA, phlebotomist, home health aide, ER scribe
Source: www.pace.edu/college-health-professions/departments/physician-assistant/nyc/apply
Pennsylvania College of Technology, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required –16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Military corpsman, nurse, CNA, PT, OT, OT assistant, respiratory therapist, speech therapist, paramedic, EMT, first responder, surgical technician, phlebotomist, EKG technician
Source: www.pct.edu/catalog/selective-admission-criteria-process/physician-assistant-studies
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, LPN, EMT, paramedic, scribe, medical translator, PT aide, patient navigator, mental health aide
Source: www.pcom.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/physician-assistant-studies/apply.html
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia Campus, GA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, LPN, EMT, paramedic, scribe, medical translator, PT aide, patient navigator, mental health aide
Source: www.pcom.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/physician-assistant-studies/apply.html
Presbyterian College, SC
Shadowing Experience: Required – 50 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Competitive applicants have over 1000 hours of healthcare experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, EMT, paramedic, medic or medical corpsman, peace corps volunteer, lab assistant/ phlebotomist, health care-related technician, RN, emergency room technician, surgical technician, hospital technician, clinical nutritionist or dietician, clinical research assistant, community health worker, CAN, PT aide, medical technologist, phlebotomist, scribe
Source: https://www.presby.edu/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-program/admissions/
Randolph-Macon College, VA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 3000 hours or higher average patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.rmc.edu/departments/pa/admissions
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer work in hospital, nursing home, hospice and/or health care facilities, healthcare shadowing
Source: www.rit.edu/study/physician-assistant-bs-ms#admission-requirements
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, UT
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, Dental Hygienist, Dietician, Emergency Room Technician, Medical/Nursing Assistant, Military Medic or Corpsman, Nurse, Ophthalmology Technician, Paramedic/EMT, Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist, PT Assistant, Radiologic Technician, Surgical Technologist, Volunteer Experience in a Hospice, Medical Mission, Nursing Home, Peace Corps
Source: https://rm.edu/mpas/requirements/
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine, IL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 800 hours of direct patient care is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.rosalindfranklin.edu/academics/college-of-health-professions/degree-programs/physician-assistant-practice-ms/application-requirements/
Rowan-Virtua PA Program, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 350 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://som.rowan.edu/physician-assistant/admissions/application-requirements.html
Rutgers University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Required – No minimum hours
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – No minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Median of 972 hours of direct patient care experience (Range 40 to 4170 hours).
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, nursing assistant/aide, nurse, EMT, patient care technician, PT assistant, hospice volunteer
Source: https://shp.rutgers.edu/ms-physician-assistant/
Saint Elizabeth University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Required – 16 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, MA, nursing, PCA, surgical technician, dietician, athletic trainer, and PT aide
Source: https://www.steu.edu/academics/aas/physician-assistant/admission-requirements.html
Saint Francis University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 60 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic or military medic/hospital corpsman
Source: www.francis.edu/academics/degrees-programs/physician-assistant-science
Saint Joseph’s University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 100 hours minimum
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 350 hours minimum, volunteer or paid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, cardiac bypass technician,
cardiovascular perfusionist, dental assistant, dental hygienist, dietician, CNA, clinical nutritionist, clinical research assistant, community health worker, emergency room technician, EKG technician, EMT, foreign medical graduate (physician), home healthcare aide, laboratory assistant, MA, medical corpsman, medical scribe, military medic, nurse, midwife, nurse anesthetist, nursing assistant, occupational therapist, OT Aide, orthopedic technician, paramedic, phlebotomist, physical therapist, PT aide, prosthetist, radiographer/radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, speech therapist, surgical technician, OR tech, ultrasound technician
Source: https://www.sju.edu/departments/physician-assistant/admission
Salus at Drexel University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.salus.edu/colleges/medicine/physician-assistant/index.html
Samford University, AL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 810 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.samford.edu/healthprofessions/master-of-science-in-physician-assistant-studies
Seton Hall University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Considered
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 100 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse practitioner, nurse, CNA, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, paramedic, EMT, PT assistant/ aide, phlebotomist, emergency room technician, surgical technician, certified medical home health aide, MA, patient care assistant, registered pharmacist, registered dietitian
Source: www.shu.edu/physician-assistant/admission-requirements.cfm#healthcare
Seton Hill University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 12 hours minimum with at least three PAs
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 300 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.setonhill.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-ms/ms-in-physician-assistant-application-and-admission-information/
Shenandoah University, VA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2728 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.su.edu/physician-assistant/prospective-students-new/
Slippery Rock University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 50 hours minimum with NP, MD, DO, or PA-C. At least 25 hours must be with two PAs in two different fields of medicine.
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 450 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2571 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.sru.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/cohp/departments/physician-assistant-studies/pa-admissions
South College – Asheville, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3149 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.south.edu/program/master-of-health-science-physician-assistant-studies-asheville/
South College – Atlanta, GA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2127 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT
Source: https://www.south.edu/program/master-of-health-science-physician-assistant-studies-atlanta/
South College – Knoxville, TN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 1501 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT
Source: https://www.south.edu/program/master-of-health-science-physician-assistant-studies-knoxville/
South College – Nashville, TN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2661 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT
Source: https://www.south.edu/program/master-of-health-science-physician-assistant-studies-nashville/
South College – Orlando, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.south.edu/program/master-of-health-science-physician-assistant-studies-orlando/
South University in Savannah, GA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With an MD, DO, PA, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Physical therapist, respiratory therapist, EMT/paramedic, nurse, CNA
Source: www.southuniversity.edu/savannah/physician-assistant-ms#program-details-tabs
South University, Austin, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With an MD, DO, PA, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Physical therapist, respiratory therapist, EMT/paramedic, nurse, CNA
Source: www.southuniversity.edu/austin/physician-assistant-ms
South University – Richmond, VA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With an MD, DO, PA, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Physical therapist, respiratory therapist, EMT/paramedic, nurse, CNA
Source: www.southuniversity.edu/richmond/physician-assistant-ms
South University – Tampa, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With an MD, DO, PA, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Physical therapist, respiratory therapist, EMT/paramedic, nurse, CNA
Source: www.southuniversity.edu/tampa/physician-assistant-ms
South University, West Palm Beach, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With an MD, DO, PA, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Physical therapist, respiratory therapist, EMT/paramedic, nurse, CNA
Source: www.southuniversity.edu/west-palm-beach/physician-assistant-ms
Southern Illinois University, IL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.siumed.edu/paprogram/mspa-prerequisites
Southern Nazarene University, OK
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With a PA, MD/DO
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, respiratory therapist, military corpsman or medic, medical assistant, phlebotomist, physical therapy assistant, physical therapist, or dental hygienist
Source: https://www.snu.edu/pgs/pa
Springfield College, MA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 30 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 470 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, CNA, clinical nutritionist, clinical research assistant, Emergency room technician, EMT, exercise physiologist, nurse, nurse’s aide, medical corpsman, MA, mental health technician, occupational therapist, OT assistant,
paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer, phlebotomist, physical therapist, PT assistant, radiology technician, rehabilitation assistant, respiratory therapist, scribe
Source: springfield.edu/programs/physician-assistant-studies-masters-degree/physician-assistant-prerequisite-information
St. John’s University (formerly SVCMC), NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Scribe, paramedic/EMT, dietician/nutritionist, athletic trainer, MA, nurse, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, EKG tech, ER tech, Ophthalmology tech, Radiology tech, physician, psychologists/therapists, LCSW, Physical Therapy Aide, chiropractor, dental assistant, and pharmacy technician
Source: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant-master-science
Stanford University, CA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2994 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic trainer, behavioral health technician, CNA, clinical pharmacist, dietician, EMT, MA, medical scribe, military medic, nutritionist, paramedic, physical therapist, physical therapy aide, radiology technician, nurse, respiratory therapist, sonographer
Source: https://med.stanford.edu/pa/admissions/frequently-asked-admissions-questions.html
Stony Brook University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 500 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, medical corpsman, respiratory therapist, EMT, nurse, CNA, MA, medical laboratory technologist, counselor in a health care setting, scribe. phlebotomist, nursing aide, nutritionists
Source: https://healthprofessions.stonybrookmedicine.edu/programs/pa/elpa/admissions/requirements
Taylor University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum – paid, volunteer, and shadowing hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.taylor.edu/academics/degrees/physician-assistant/admissions
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, PA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – 100 hours minimum with an MD, DO, or PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 400 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Certified Athletic Trainer, Cardiovascular, Perfusionist, Caregiver, Dietician, Emergency Room Technician, EMT/Paramedic, Exercise Physiologist, Foreign Medical Graduate – Physician, Home Healthcare Aid, MA/Technologist, Medical Corpsman, Clinical Research, Medical Scribe, Midwife, Nurse, Nursing Assistant/CNA, Orthopedics Technician, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist or PT Aid, Radiologic Technologist, Respiratory Therapist/Technician, Surgical Technician, X-ray/Ultrasound Technician
Source: https://medicine.temple.edu/education/physician-assistant-program/admissions/requirements-traditional-mms
Texas Christian University, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://harriscollege.tcu.edu/academics/graduate/physician-associate-admission.php
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2166 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/master-physician-assistant-studies/frequently-asked-questions.aspx
The CUNY School of Medicine, NY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended – 1000 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, RN, EMT, Dental Hygienist, LPN, Paramedic, PCT, Physical Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, Phlebotomist, Athletic Trainer, Medical Scribe with MA duties, Emergency Room Technician, Medical Laboratory Technician, Dialysis Technician
Source: https://medicine.cuny.edu/physician-assistant-program/
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern School of Health Professions, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, paramedic, nurse, scribe, MA, CNA, ER tech, PT aide, phlebotomist, pharmacy tech, clinical research assistant
Source: www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/school-of-health-professions/programs/physician-assistant-studies/admissions/requirements.html
Thiel College, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with an MD, DO, PA, or NP. At least 16 of those hours must be with two PAs in two different fields of medicine
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.thiel.edu/graduate-degrees/physician-assistant/grad-pa-apply
Thomas Jefferson University – New Jersey Campus, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nursing, nursing assistant, MA, EMT, paramedic, athletic training, clinical volunteer experience
Source: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/health-professions/departments-programs/health-science-clinical-practice/degrees-programs/graduate/ms-east-falls/applying.html
Thomas Jefferson University, Center City Campus, PA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nursing, nursing assistant, MA, EMT, paramedic, athletic training, clinical volunteer experience
Source: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/health-professions/departments-programs/health-science-clinical-practice/degrees-programs/graduate/ms-center-city/applying.html
Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls Campus, PA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nursing, nursing assistant, MA, EMT, paramedic, athletic training, clinical volunteer experience
Source: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/health-professions/departments-programs/health-science-clinical-practice/degrees-programs/graduate/ms-east-falls/applying.html
Touro University (Long Island), NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer in emergency department or medical office, MA, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, nurse, respiratory therapist, EMT, paramedic
Source: https://shs.touro.edu/programs/physician-assistant/physician-assistant-long-island/admissions/admission-requirements/
Touro University (Manhattan), NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer in emergency department or medical office, MA, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, nurse, respiratory therapist, EMT, paramedic
Source: https://shs.touro.edu/programs/physician-assistant/physician-assistant-manhattan/admissions/admission-requirements/
Touro University (Middletown), NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer in emergency department or medical office, MA, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, nurse, respiratory therapist, EMT, paramedic
Source: https://shs.touro.edu/programs/physician-assistant/physician-assistant-middletown/admissions/admissions-requirements/
Touro University California, Los Angeles
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer in emergency department or medical office, MA, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, nurse, respiratory therapist, EMT, paramedic
Source: https://tu.edu/programs/physician-assistant-los-angeles/admissions/
Touro University Illinois
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Volunteer in emergency department or medical office, MA, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, nurse, respiratory therapist, EMT, paramedic Source: https://illinois.touro.edu/physician-assistant/admissions–aid/admission-requirements/
Trevecca Nazarene University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required –10 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, Patient Care Technician, Surgical Technician, Scribe, CNA, Nurse, EMT/Paramedic, OT/PT, OT Assistant or PT Assistant, Phlebotomist, Respiratory Therapist, ER Technician, Lab Technician, Clinical Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Dietician
Source: www.trevecca.edu/academics/program/physician-assistant
Trine University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.trine.edu/academics/majors-degrees/graduate/master-physician-assistant-studies/admission-requirements.aspx
Union Adventist University, NE
Shadowing Experience: Required – No minimum hours
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 240 hours minimum at the time of application, 480 hours minimum at the time of matriculation into program
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, CNA, Medical Scribe, Patient Care Technician, Lab Technician, PT Technician, Pharmacy Technician
Source: https://uau.edu/pa/apply
University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2847 direct patient care hours and 134 hours of shadowing
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Nurse, surgical technician, athletic trainer, x-ray technologist, patient care technician, medical technologist
Source: https://www.uab.edu/shp/cds/physician-associate-studies/admissions
University of Arizona, AZ
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended – 100 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, Clinical research assistant (caring for patients directly), Dental, Dietitian, EMT, MA (back office hours only), Medical scribe, Nurse (LPN, RN, MSN), Occupational therapist (or assistant), Optometry, Paramedic, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, Physical therapist (or assistant), Podiatry, Radiological technician, Respiratory therapist, Surgical technician
Source: https://healthprofessions.publichealth.arizona.edu/academics/physician-assistant-program/admissions#pagetop
University of California – San Diego, CA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended – 500 hours minimum, paid or volunteer health care experiences
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 3986 healthcare hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://paeducation.ucsd.edu/admissions/requirements.html
University of Charleston, WV
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Applicants who possess direct patient care experience will be most competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, CNA, military medic or corpsman, nurse, paramedic, EMT, athletic trainer, surgical tech, radiologic tech, and phlebotomist
Source: www.ucwv.edu/academics/school-of-health-sciences/physician-assistant-program/admissions/pa-traditional-admission/
University of Colorado, CO
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Median of 2200 direct patient care hours and 69 shadowing hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/physician-assistant-program/prospective-students
University of Dayton, OH
Shadowing Experience: Required – 20 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 230 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://udayton.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant-mpap/index.php
University of Evansville, IN
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.evansville.edu/majors/physicianassistant/requirements.cfm
University of Findlay, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.findlay.edu/health-professions/physician-assistant-ma/program-requirements
University of Kentucky – Lexington, KY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – No minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Median of 1748 direct patient care hours and 60 shadowing hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT, CMA, Medical Technician, Professional Hospice Volunteer, PT Assistant, Athletic Training, Scribe
Source: https://chs.uky.edu/physician-assistant-studies/admissions/pre-reqs
University of Kentucky – Morehead, KY
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – No minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Median of 1748 direct patient care hours and 60
shadowing hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT, CMA, Medical Technician, Professional Hospice Volunteer, PT Assistant, Athletic Training, Scribe
Source: https://chs.uky.edu/physician-assistant-studies/admissions/pre-reqs
University Of La Verne, CA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: health.laverne.edu/physician-assistant/admission/
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, TX
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2848 direct patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.umhb.edu/graduate/physician-assistant/prospective-students#1845
University of Missouri – Kansas City, MO
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: CNA, EMT, MA, Nurse’s Aide, Medical Technician
Source: https://med.umkc.edu/academics/degree-and-certificate-programs/pa/admission-requirements.html
University of Montana, MT
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.umt.edu/physician-associate/admissions/default.php
University of Mount Saint Vincent, NY
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 200 hours minimum
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, MD, DO, Podiatry, Chiropractor, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse (RN), Respiratory Therapy, Nutritionist, Optometrist, Military Corpsman, Athletic Trainer, EMT, Paramedic, Electrophysiology Technologist, Interventional Vascular Technologist, Radiology Technician, Emergency Room Technician, Rehabilitation Technician, OT/PT Aide, Medical Scribe, Nursing Assistant/Aide, First Responder, Nutritional Educator
Source: mountsaintvincent.edu/graduate-adult/graduate-programs/pa-studies-program/pa-studies-program-admission-criteria-and-requirements/
University of Mount Union, OH
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 40 hours of direct patient care is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.mountunion.edu/academics/graduate-degrees/physician-assistant-studies
University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 2000 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/education/pa/admissions/preference.html
University of North Texas HS Center Ft Worth, TX
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-health-professions/physician-assistant-studies/admissions-information/
University of Oklahoma – Oklahoma City, OK
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended – With three PAs in three different fields
Direct Patient Care Experience: Highly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2580 direct patient care hours and 125 shadowing hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://medicine.ouhsc.edu/prospective-students/degree-programs/physician-associate-program/prospective-applicants/faq
University of Oklahoma – Tulsa, OK
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.ou.edu/tulsa/community_medicine/scm-pa-program/admission
University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne), IN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – no minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2363 direct patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA; patient care technician; surgical technician; scribe; CNA; occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant/tech/aide; physical therapist or physical therapy assistant/tech/aide; certified athletic trainer; phlebotomist; respiratory therapist; emergency room technician; lab technician (if phlebotomy and/or direct patient care is the majority of the job description); pharmacist; certified pharmacy technician with hands-on patient care; dietician; emergency medical technician; paramedic; RN or nursing assistant/aide; radiologic technician or technologist; ultrasound technician or technologist; EKG/ECG/EEG technician; chiropractor or chiropractor assistant; dental hygienist; military medic or corpsman; ophthalmic or optometric assistant; rehabilitation technician; or social worker (with a clinical focus)
Source: https://www.sf.edu/programs/physician-assistant-studies-ms/
University of Saint Joseph, CT
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 250 hours minimum, can include volunteer work or clinical research
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Paramedic, EMT, nurse, CNA, MA, patient care associated, phlebotomist, physical therapist, dental hygienist, mental health worker
Source: www.usj.edu/academics/sppas/physician-assistant-studies/admissions/
University of South Alabama, AL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 100 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average is 1708 direct patient care hours and 59 PA shadowing hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Armed Services: Medic/Military Corpsman, Athletic Trainer, Caregiver/Home Health Aide, Chiropractor, Clinical Nutritionist or Dietitian, Community Health Worker, Dental Assistant/Hygienist, EMT/EMS/Paramedic, Massage Therapist, Medical Aide/Assistant/Technician, Radiology, PT, OT, EMT, MA, CNA, Nursing Aide, ER, Surgical Tech, Mental/Behavioral Health Counselor, Optometric Technician, Nurse, OT, PT, Respiratory Therapy, Patient Care Tech, Phlebotomist, Firefighter with Medical Calls
Source: www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/pa/admissions.html
University of Southern California, CA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 4119 direct patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, nurse, nursing assistant, CNA, MA, medical scribe, medical technologist, military medical corpsman, paramedic, psychiatric technician, radiologic technician, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, registered nurse, athletic trainer, phlebotomist
Source: https://keck.usc.edu/physician-assistant-program/admission/
University of Tampa, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 750 hours minimum experience
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Mean patient care hours – 3682.5
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.ut.edu/graduate-degrees/department-of-physician-assistant-medicine/physician-assistant-medicine-program/admissions
University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis), TN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – no minimum hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: MA, physical therapist, PT aide/assistant, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, EMT/paramedic, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, CNA, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, medical corpsman, pharmacy technician, X‐ray technician, surgical technician, medical technician, emergency room technician, athletic trainer, chiropractor, dietician, medical scribe
Source:https://www.uthsc.edu/physician-assistant/admissions.php
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.utrgv.edu/pa/faqs/index.htm
University of Texas – HS Center at San Antonio, TX
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – With a PA, MD, DO, or NP
Direct Patient Care Experience: Strongly recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 1229 direct patient care hours (range 0 to 6000) and 155 shadowing hours (range 4 to 320)
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: uthscsa.edu/health-professions/programs/physician-assistant-studies-ms/admissions
University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, TX
Shadowing Experience: Considered
Direct Patient Care Experience: Not required but considered
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 1995 direct patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.utmb.edu/som/physician-assistant/admissions-application
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.utrgv.edu/cohp/schools-and-departments/department-of-physician-assistant/admissions/index.htm
University of Toledo, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.utoledo.edu/med/grad/pa/admissions.html
Ursuline College, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://www.ursuline.edu/academics/programs/master-of-medical-science-mmsc-physician-assistant/admission
Wagner College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: wagner.edu/physician-assistant/bs-ms/admissions/
West Chester University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 4 hours minimum with a PA
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 400 hours minimum at the time of application, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2721 direct patient care hours
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Scribe, EMT-B, CNA, paramedic, athletic trainer, social worker, registered dietician, radiology technician, laboratory technician, clinical researcher, respiratory therapist, nurse
Source: https://www.wcupa.edu/healthSciences/physicianAssistant/admissions.aspx
West Coast University, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: 500 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: https://westcoastuniversity.edu/programs/master-physician-assistant/dallas
West Liberty University, WV
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: westliberty.edu/physician-assistant/admissions/prerequisites/
West Virginia University, WV
Shadowing Experience: Required
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 80 hours minimum, paid or unpaid
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: More than 80 hours of direct patient care experience is competitive
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Shadowing a physician or PA, working as a patient care aid, MA, respiratory/occupational/physical therapist, paramedic, EMT, or scribe
Source: medicine.wvu.edu/physician-assistant-studies/admission/application-requirements/
Wichita State University, KS
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Athletic Trainer, Chiropractic Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dialysis Aide, EMT, MA, Medical Social Worker, Medical Technologist, Mental Health Care Counselor, Military Corpsmen, Nurse, Nurse Aide, Optometry Assistant, Operating Room Technologist, Paramedic, Phlebotomist, PT Assistant, Physical/Occupational Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Scribe, X-Ray Technologist
Source: www.wichita.edu/academics/health_professions/pa/documents/web-documents/mpa-admission-info.php
Xavier University of Louisiana, LA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – With a PA, MD or DO
Direct Patient Care Experience: Required – 80 hours minimum, paid or volunteer
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Nurse, MA, Medical Scribe, Medical Technologist, Military Medical Corpsman, Nursing Assistant, Paramedic, Psychiatric or Radiologic Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Paramedic, Chiropractor, Registered Nurse
Source: www.xula.edu/physician-assistant-program/physician-assistant-program-how-to-apply.html
Yale University, CT
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Recommended – 1000 hours
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Average of 2632 hours (range 1000 -10888)
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: EMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Medical Assistant, CNA, ER Tech, Physical Therapy Aide, Medical Scribe, Personal Care Provider
Source: https://medicine.yale.edu/pa/admissions/prerequisites-experience-skill/#healthcare-experience
Yeshiva University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Direct Patient Care Experience: Not required
Competitive or Average Clinical Experience: Not found
Examples of Direct Patient Care Experience: Not found
Source: www.yu.edu/katz/physician-assistant/faq
Why You Should Not Rule Out a PA School if They Require More Hours of Direct Patient Care Experience Than You Have Accrued
For direct patient care hours, if you fall below a PA school’s minimum requirements, remember that some PA schools allow applicants to accrue some or all of their patient experience hours after submitting their CASPA application. You will see that for the schools listed above, if we found information on when the PA school wants patient care hours completed, we included it for the school.
Example PA School Applicant
Imagine Joey submits his PA school application with 380 hours of direct patient care experience as a phlebotomist in May for to start PA school the next summer. Can Joey apply to a PA school that requires at least 500 hours of direct patient care experience?
It will depend on the school. Joey would not be eligible to apply to a PA school that requires 500 hours minimum of direct patient care experience at the time of the CASPA application. But he would be able to apply to a PA school that requires a minimum of 500 hours by June of the year he is starting PA school, provided he plans to continue gaining at least 120 hours of direct patient care experience before that June.
