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PA School Shadowing and Direct Patient Care Experience Requirements
Patient care experience and PA shadowing are two important components of a PA school application. Many PA schools require and others highly recommend that applicants gain direct patient care experience and shadow a PA before applying or matriculating into PA school. By working in the healthcare setting in a capacity that involves interacting with patients, applicants can gain a better understanding of what being a PA involves and make a more informed decision about entering this profession. PA shadowing is also a great opportunity to learn more about the PA profession and confirm that you are interested in the PA field.
The requirements for patient care experience and shadowing can vary greatly from school to school. It is a good idea for applicants to research the programs they are interested in and ensure they fulfill each school’s patient care and shadowing requirements. Some programs may not require any direct patient care experience while others require more than a thousand hours. Similarly, some programs would not consider an application complete if the applicant has not shadowed a PA while others would.
When it comes to clinical experiences working with patients, CASPA categorizes these into two broad areas: patient care experience and healthcare experience. According to CASPA, patient care experience is a type of activity where the individual is directly involved in providing care for patients while healthcare experience is an activity in which you are interacting with patients but not responsible for their care. When completing the CASPA application, you are required to categorize your clinical experiences into one or the other. Schools don’t necessarily break down experiences into these categories in their description of what they consider acceptable, however. Most schools that require clinical experience provide specific examples of the type of experiences they consider acceptable. Therefore, it is best to check each school’s criteria.
Here we review the shadowing and patient care requirements of different PA schools and provide a list of some types of experience that various schools consider as direct patient care experience. Please note this information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, please visit each school’s website.
Albany Medical College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – more than 1000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Patient Care Associate, Phlebotomist, EKG/Monitor Technician, Nurse’s Aide, EMT, Home Health Aide
Alderson Broaddus University, WV
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 40 hours with a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but will be considered
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: None found
Anne Arundel, MD
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Not required – minimum of 1400 hours recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: None found
Arcadia University, PA
Shadowing Experience: None Found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 200 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: None found
Arizona School of Health Sciences, AZ
Shadowing Experience: PA Shadowing strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: None found
Augsburg College, MN
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended – 2,000 hours of paid experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Athletic trainer, certified nursing assistant, community health worker/health educator, dental hygienist, EMT, patient care assistant, phlebotomist
Augusta University, GA
Shadowing Experience: Required – with a suggested minimum of 100 hours with at least 2 PAs
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 100 hours of paid or volunteer hands on health care experience or healthcare related volunteer activities
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Barry University, FL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended- volunteer work with direct patient care within a hospital or clinic is acceptable
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – 1000 hours recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Paramedics, EMT, CNA, Medical Assistant, phlebotomist, scribe, phlebotomist, surgery technician, athletic trainer, physical therapist
Bay Path University, MA
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 24 hours with a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 500 hours – paid or unpaid
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, paramedic, CNA, nurse’s aid, respiratory therapist, medical assistant, phlebotomist, or other clinical experiences with direct patient contact
Baylor College of Medicine, TX
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Not required
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Bethel University, MN
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 250 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Bethel University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 40 hours with a PA, 100 shadowing hours encouraged.
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended, 250+ hours of healthcare experience encouraged
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Boston University, MA
Shadowing Experience: None required
Patient Contact Experience: None required, but students are encouraged to have experience.
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Butler University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not required
Campbell University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 20 hours of shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Carroll University, WI
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Central Michigan University (CMU), MI
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Paramedic, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, medical assistant, radiologic technologist, EKG tech, EMT (I or Basic), licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, dental hygienist, clinical laboratorian
Chatham University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – at least 32 hours of PA shadowing experience
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but considered along with other work and volunteer experiences
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Clarkson University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – compensated experiences that involve formal training are most preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT/paramedics, nurses and nursing assistants, physical therapy assistants, X- Ray technicians, athletic trainers, medical technologists, emergency department techs and scribes, etc.
Concordia University – WI
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 24 hours with a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nursing, CNA, ER tech, EMT/paramedic
CUNY York College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours (at least 400 hours to apply and at least 500 for admission)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Volunteer work or employment in hospitals, clinics, private offices or extended healthcare facilities
Daemen College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 120 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Des Moines University, IA
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 750 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Experiences in a hospital, medical office, or extended care facility. Patient care experiences obtained through the military (combat medic, field medical tech, etc.) are especially competitive
DeSales University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, surgical technician, dietitian, campus health center volunteer, certified nursing assistant (CNA), pharmacy technician, medical assistant, medical scribe
Drexel University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 500 hours required for degreed and pending-degree applicants and minimum of 1,000 hours required for non-degreed applicants. Experience can be paid or volunteer.
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Athletic trainer, certified nursing assistant (CNA), dental hygienist/assistant, dietician, caregiver, EMT/paramedic, phlebotomist, medical assistant, nurse
Duke University Medical Center, NC
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT or paramedic, health educator, RN, patient care attendant or nurse’s aide, clinic assistant, Peace Corps volunteer or other cross-cultural health care experience, technologist, therapist, clinical research assistant
East Carolina University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 1000 hours obtained through paid, volunteer or shadowing experiences
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, paramedic, medical assistant, scribe, patient care tech, nurse, surgical tech, athletic trainer, physical therapy aide
Eastern Michigan University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Preferred but not required (<10 years from the time of application)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Athletic trainer, chiropractor assistant, clinical laboratory technician, dental assistant, dietitian, medical assistant, nurse, phlebotomist, physical therapist, etc.
Eastern Virginia Medical School, VA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, EMT or paramedic, military (corpsmen, medics or med techs), athletic trainer, patient care technician (nurse’s aide), surgical assistant, clinic/medical assistant, respiratory technologist, mental health worker and clinical research assistant
Elon University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Required – at least 20 hours
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 250 hours volunteer or work experience (1,000 hours recommended; 3,230 hours average)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Emory University, GA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience (average accepted applicants have over 7000 hours)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Hospital/ED/Clinic technician, nursing assistant/aide, EMT/paramedic, operating room technicians, ED/clinic scribes, physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, respiratory therapist or aide, radiology technician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, LA
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 80 hours to be considered competitive
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Gannon University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum 30 hours in the absence of patient contact experience
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 30 hours of documented volunteer/paid medical experience or 30 hours of shadowing a PA
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
George Washington University, DC
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1000 hours. Any hours credited as part of a training, educational, or internship program will not be considered direct patient care experience.
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: None found
Harding University, AR
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended – at least 20 hours of PA shadowing
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 100 hours strongly recommended (experience preference within the last 5 years)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical assistant, RN/LPN/CNA, phlebotomist, paramedic, Licensed health care providers, physical therapy aid, health care related technologist, pharmacy technician, clinical research with patient contact
Hofstra University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 50 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Idaho State University, ID
Shadowing Experience: Not required but strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Indiana State University, IN
Shadowing Experience: Not required, encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Highly encouraged – minimum of 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Shadowing with mid-level physicians,
phlebotomy, nurse aide, medical assistant
Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation, IN
Shadowing Experience: Required – Minimum of 10 hours shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required paid or volunteer experience but no minimum hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Prior clinical experiences with urban and/or rural medically-underserved populations encouraged
James Madison University, VA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 1000 hours experience (either voluntary or paid work)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Paramedic, Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT), Pharmacist, Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Dietician (RD), Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Therapist (Psychiatrist or Psychologist), EMT, Patient Care Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Phlebotomist
Jefferson College of Health Sciences, VA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours (need not be completed by the time of application)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, medical technology, nursing, and phlebotomy
Kettering College, OH
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – at least 250 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: STNA, CNA, EMT or paramedic, lab tech/phlebotomist, medical scribe, EKG technician, surgical technician, pharmacy technician, respiratory care practitioner, radiological technologist, medical mission worker
King’s College, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 500 hours (voluntary or paid), of which a minimum of 300 hours must be direct patient care.
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Le Moyne College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Considered – Shadowing Physician, PA, or Nurse Practitioner
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 750 hours (current paid, volunteer, or combination hands-on patient care)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomist, Athletic Trainer, Mental Health Worker, Substance Dependency Counselor, Medical Scribe, Dentist, Dental Assistant, Paramedic, EMT, Military Medic/Corpsman, Nurse, Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Radiology Technician
Lincoln Memorial University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – minimum 40 hours verifiable direct shadowing of a PA with at least 20 of those hours spent directly shadowing a PA in a primary care setting (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Emergency/Urgent Care Medicine).
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – 150 hours in either a volunteer or paid capacity
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Lock Haven University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Long Island University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours – minimum of 400 hours must be completed by the time of submission of CASPA application
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical assistant, Surgical technologist, Licensed practical or registered nurse, Dental assistant, Dental hygienist, Certified nursing assistant, Home health aide, Paramedic, Physical therapist, Phlebotomist, Shadowing a physician, physician assistant or dentist, Scribe
Louisiana State University – New Orleans, LA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended – 80 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Emergency medical technician, licensed vocational nurse, medical assistant (back office), medical scribe, medical technologist, military medical corpsman, nursing assistant, paramedic, psychiatric technician, radiologic technician, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, registered nurse, volunteer, etc
Marietta University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Shadowing PAs or physicians, nursing assistant/STNA, EMT, medical assistant, phlebotomist, ER tech, respiratory therapist, etc.
Marquette University, WI
Shadowing Experience: Not required but strongly encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 200 hours of both paid and/or volunteer experiences
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found but activities that do not count include lifeguarding, babysitting or medical activities not involving patients, such as working in medical records.
Marywood University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 documented direct patient care hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: RN or LPN, EMT, paramedic emergency room technician/clerk, medical office assistant, shadowing of a PA or physician, hospital volunteer
MCPHS University- Boston, MA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 250 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Medical University of South Carolina, SC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: shadowing, volunteering, or work experience
Mercer University, GA
Shadowing Experience: Not required but encouraged.
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: athletic trainer, chiropractor, clinical health educator, EMT/paramedic, hospital social worker, licensed practical nurse, medical assistant, medical corpsman, phlebotomist, physical therapist/PT, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, respiratory therapist
Methodist University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical Assisting, C.N.A, EMT, Paramedic, Scribe, Respiratory Technician, Nursing, Surgical Technician, Military Medic, Phlebotomy, University Athletic Training, PT Aide, ER/ED or Patient Technician, etc.
Miami-Dade College, FL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – minimum of 50 hours of shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Midwestern University – Downers Grove, IL
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Midwestern University (Glendale), AZ
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Mississippi College, MS
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended – 1000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: RN, LPN, Respiratory Therapist, Paramedic, Physical Therapist, EMT, Patient Care Tech, Radiology Technologist, Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Surgical Tech
Missouri State University, MO
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500+ hours of paid, direct, hands-on patient care experience at the time the CASPA application is submitted
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurse, paramedic, EMT-B, CNA or PCT, health educator, respiratory therapist, athletic trainer or Medical Assistant (MA)
New York Institute of Technology, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 250 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Dental Hygienist, Doula, Emergency medical technician, Home health aide, Medical assistant, Military medical/clinical specialist, Nursing assistant, Nurse, Occupational therapist (in an OT office, clinic, or hospital), Paramedic, Phlebotomist, Physical therapist assistant
Northeastern University, MA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – approximately 1000 hours by the time of the application deadline
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: taking vital signs, doing ECGs, drawing blood, changing bandages and dressings, splinting, casting, removing sutures, bathing and toileting.
Northern Arizona University, AZ
Shadowing Experience: Not required (but can be counted as healthcare experience)
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – minimum of 500 hours of paid or volunteer experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical assistant, PT, RT, OT, MSW, EMT, LPN, chiropractor, RN, CNA, nurse’s aide, medic or corpsman, paramedic, PharmD, OD, NP, foreign medical graduate, DVM, DPM, medical lab technician, medical technologist, athletic trainer, audiologist, exercise physiologist, radiology technician, phlebotomist, optometry technician, registered dietician, patient care assistant, and PT assistant
Northwestern University, IL
Shadowing Experience: PA shadowing strongly encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1000 hours of direct patient care experience by the time the CASP application is submitted
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Highly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Nova Southeastern University – Fort Myers, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Highly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Nova Southeastern University – Jacksonville, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Highly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Nova Southeastern University – Orlando, FL
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Highly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Ohio Dominican University, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 250 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Patient Care Associate, Phlebotomist, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Dietician/Nutritionist, EMT, Medical Mission Trips, Medical Scribe, Dental Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, Athletic Trainer
Oregon Health and Science University, OR
Shadowing Experience: Not required – but highly valued
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 2,000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical assistant, (EMT), paramedic, medic or medical corpsman, peace corps volunteer, lab assistant/phlebotomist, health care-related technician, RN, emergency room tech, clinical nutritionist or dietician, clinical research assistant, community health worker, certified nursing assistant (CNA), physical therapy aide, medical technologist, phlebotomist, scribe
Pace University – Lenox Hill Hospital, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 200 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Pacific University, OR
Shadowing Experience: Not required but considered
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Athletic Trainer, Chiropractor, Chiropractor Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dietitian, EKG/EEG Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Assistant, Military Medic or Corpsman, Nursing Assistant or Aide, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, etc.
Penn State University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours paid or volunteer
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Pennsylvania College of Technology, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 16 hours shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 300 hours (attained in the past 5 years)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Military corpsman, Nurse, CNA, PT, OT, OTA, respiratory therapist, Speech therapist, Paramedic, EMT, First responder, Surgical technician, Phlebotomist, EKG technician
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Shadowing Experience: Highly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 200 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, LPN, EMT, paramedic, scribe, medical translator, etc.
Quinnipiac University, CT
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 2,500 hour (the average is over 3,500 hours)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, CNA, patient care, technician/patient care assistant, medical assistant, RN, PT aide, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, etc.
Red Rocks Community College, CO
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 2,000 hours of paid healthcare-relevant experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Rocky Mountain College, MT
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended – minimum of 40 hours shadowing PA’s
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1,500 paid hours of direct, hands-on patient care
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine, IL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – average of 800 hours of direct patient contact and PA shadowing experience.
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Rush University, IL
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours of direct, hands-on patient care clinical experience which includes working with or shadowing PAs
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Rutgers University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Required, no minimum hours set by the program
Patient Contact Experience: Required, no minimum hours set by the program
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical assistants, nursing assistants/aides, nurses, EMTs, patient care technicians, physical therapy assistants, and hospice volunteers
Saint Catherine University, MN
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Minimum of 1,000 hours of paid or volunteer experience in a health, wellness or patient care setting
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Saint Francis University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – 40 hours shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – a minimum of 100 hours (including 40 hours shadowing a PA)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Saint Louis University, MO
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours by the time the CASPA application is submitted, (the average applicant has at least 2,000 hours), paid experience is preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: CNA, EMT scribe, or patient care technician
Salus University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 300 hours of paid or volunteer experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Shadowing of PA, NP, MD/DO, Clinical medical research with patient contact, Dental hygienist, Dietician, Emergency medical technician (EMT)/Paramedic, Military Medic/Corpsman, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical assistant, Laboratory Technician, Phlebotomist, Athletic Trainer (certified or student), nurse/nurse midwife, etc.
Samuel Merritt University, CA
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 50 hours shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – competitive applicants have a minimum of 1,000 hours of related direct patient contact
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, paramedic, certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, scribe, registered nurse, medic, etc.
Seton Hall University, NJ
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum 25 hours shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 250 hours of paid or volunteer experience, must be completed for an application to be considered complete
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, certified nurse aide, certified nursing assistant, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, physical therapist/ assistant/ aide, phlebotomist, emergency room technician, surgical technician, certified medical home health aide, medical assistant, patient care assistant, registered pharmacist, registered dietitian in a clinical setting
Seton Hill University, PA
Shadowing Experience: Required – Shadowing at least three physician assistants in different practice settings for 4 hours per experience
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 300 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Shenandoah University, VA
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but highly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but paid or volunteer experience highly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
South College, TN
Shadowing Experience: None found
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: CNA, EMT
South University – Tampa, FL
Shadowing Experience: None found
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but preference given to applicants with prior experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic, phlebotomist, nursing aide, home health care aide, and volunteers for community mental health or family planning agencies
South University in Savannah, GA
Shadowing Experience: Physician, PA, or NP shadowing
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic, phlebotomist, nursing aide, home health care aide, and volunteers for community mental health or family planning agencies.
Southern Illinois University, IL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended PA-C shadowing
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Springfield College
Shadowing Experience: Required – Minimum 30 hours shadowing a practicing PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – Minimum 470 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Athletic trainer in a clinical setting, CNA, Clinical Nutritionist, Clinical research assistant doing hands-on procedures, Emergency room technician, EMT doing more than patient transfer, Exercise Physiologist in a clinical setting, Licensed practical nurse, Medical corpsman, Medical/clinical assistant, Mental health technician, Nurse, Nurse’s aide, Occupational therapist, Occupational therapist assistant, Paramedic, Peace Corps volunteer doing hands-on procedures, Phlebotomist, Physical therapist, Physical therapist assistant, Radiology technician, Rehab assistant, Respiratory therapist, Scribe
St. John’s University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Stanford University, CA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – >500 hours through either prior employment or volunteer work
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Stony Brook University, NY
Shadowing Experience: Considered
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurse, nurse’s aide, medic, corpsman, medical laboratory technologist, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technician, counselor in a health care setting
Sullivan University, KY
Shadowing Experience: 25 hours of PA shadowing required (preference given to 40+ hours)
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours (preference given to 1000+ hours)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nursing, medical assistant, respiratory therapy
medic, corpsman, occupational therapy, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, EMS/paramedic, nursing assistant, surgical or ER tech
athletic trainer, counselor in health care setting, dental hygienist or assistant, medical scribe, veterinary technician, pharmacy technician
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not required but considered
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours volunteer or paid
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurse, nurse’s aide, corpsman, medical laboratory technologist, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technician, counselor.
SUNY Upstate University, NY
Shadowing Experience: PA shadowing strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1000 hours of paid or volunteer experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Military corpsman or medic, Nursing (ex. certified nurse assistant, nurse’s aide, RN, home health care aide), EMT’s employed full time (active hours only for EMT volunteers), Paramedic, Massage Therapist, Radiation Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Phlebotomist, X-Ray Technologist, Medical Imaging, Clinical Counselor
Medical Assistant (with direct patient care), Chiropractor, Physical Therapist or PT aide, Athletic Trainer, Medical Scribe, Volunteer Experience (with direct patient care)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, TX
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Not required
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls Campus (formerly Philadelphia University), PA
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – a minimum of 200 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nursing, nursing assistant, medical assistant, EMT, paramedic, athletic training, and patient related volunteer experiences.
Touro College – Manhattan, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Touro University – Bay Shore, NY
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 20 hours shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 200 hours of paid or volunteer experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Volunteer in an Emergency Department transporting patients, delivering meals and blankets to patients, volunteer in a doctor’s office performing height and weight, vital signs, medical assistant or nurse’s aide phlebotomist Licensed Practical Nurse or Respiratory Therapist EMT or Paramedic
Touro University – California
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – 20 or more hours of shadowing or working with a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Required – a minimum of 1,000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Emergency medical technician, licensed vocational nurse, medical technologist, military medical corpsman, paramedic, psychiatric technician, radiology technician, respiratory therapist, health educator, registered nurse, medical assistant (back office) or surgical tech
Touro University Nevada
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, Medical Tech, ER Tech, Certified Nursing Assistant, Nurse, Physical Therapy Aide, Paramedic, EKG Tech, Radiation Therapist, Radiology Tech, Corpsman, Medical Imaging, Medical Assistant, Respiratory Tech, Athletic Trainer, Chiropractor
Towson University CCBC Essex, MD
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 800 hours (1600 preferred) at the time of CASPA application
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurses, Pharmacists, Speech Pathologists, Paramedics, EMT-B, Military, Medics, Physical Therapists and PT Techs, Athletic Trainers, Surgical Technologists, Patient Care Associates/CNA, Emergency Room Technicians and Medical Scribes
Trevecca Nazarene University, TN
Shadowing Experience: Required – a minimum of 10 hours shadowing one or more PA’s at the time of application
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 250 hours at the time of application
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Surgical Technician, First Assistant, Scribe, CNA, LPN, RN, EMT/Paramedic, OT/PT or OT asst./PT asst., AT-C, Phlebotomist, RT, ER Technician, Lab Technician (if phlebotomy or direct patient care is the majority of job description), Clinical Pharmacy Technician -with high percentage of patient exposure, and Clinical Dietician
Tufts University, MA
Shadowing Experience: Encouraged (but not accepted as part of the 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience)
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1,000 hours (Recommended minimum = 1,500 hours, most completed within the last 5 years)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurse, Physical therapist, Dental hygienist, Emergency Room Tech, Respiratory therapist, Clinical nutritionist, Emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, Certified nursing assistant (CNA), Patient care assistant, Medical assistant, Athletic trainer (if working with injuries/rehab), Exercise physiologist (in a clinical setting, e.g., cardiac rehab), Optometric assistant (if not just a clerical position), Patient care technician, Ophthalmology technician, Surgical assistant
University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Highly preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nurses, surgical technicians, athletic trainers, x-ray technologists, patient care technicians, and medical technologists
University of Arkansas, AR
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours (does not have to be paid or full-time experience)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Athletic Trainer, Dental Hygienist, Dietician, Emergency Room Technician, Home Health Aide, Licensed Practical Nurse, Medical Assistant, Medical Corpsman, Nursing Assistant/Aide, Occupational Therapist, Ophthalmology Technician, Paramedic/EMT, Patient Care Technician, Peace Corp Volunteer, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiology Technician, Registered Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technology
University of California Davis, CA
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours of paid or volunteer experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Behavioral therapist, CNA, , Chiropractor, Dental assistants or dentists, Dietitian or nutritionist, EKG, radiology or X-Ray technician, EMT, Home health and personal care aide, International medical graduate, Licensed vocational nurse (LVN), Medical assistant (MA), Occupational therapist (OT), Ophthalmic technician, Paramedic, pharmacy technician, Phlebotomist, Physical therapist (PT) or physical therapy aide, Psychiatrist, Registered nurse (RN), Respiratory therapist (RT), Scribe, Speech therapist (ST)
University of Charleston, WV
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Medical/nursing assistant, military medic or corpsman, nurse (LPN, RN), paramedic/EMT, athletic trainer, surgical tech, radiologic tech, and phlebotomist
University of Colorado, CO
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not required
University of Detroit Mercy, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 1,000 hours, must be verified by CASPA application deadline
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Findlay, OH
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but considered
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Florida, FL
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended – one year (2000 hours) of direct patient care
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: CNA, Chiropractor, Clinical Psychologist, Corpsman (Navy), Dental Hygienist, Dietitian/Nutritionist, EMT/Paramedic, ER/OR Tech, Exercise Physiologist/Athletic Trainer, Nurse (RN, LPN), Medical Assistant/Nursing Assistant, Physician, etc.
University of Iowa, IA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient health care experience by December 31st prior to the year of matriculation
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Mount Union, OH
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 40 hours of shadowing an NCCPA-certified physician assistant
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but is preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Nebraska, NE
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – Competitive applicants have 50 hours of PA shadowing
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended – Competitive applicants have 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of New England, ME
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum 20 hours PA shadowing
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 500 hours (average range of 2500 – 3500 hours)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of New Mexico, NM
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours of clinical experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of North Dakota, ND
Shadowing Experience: Not found
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 (1000 preferred) of direct patient care experience
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Certified medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, physical therapist assistant, emergency medical technician, and phlebotomist
University of North Texas HS Center Ft Worth, TX
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Oklahoma – Oklahoma City, OK
Shadowing Experience: Recommended – shadowing at least three separate PA’s in different specialties and practice settings is encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Oklahoma – Tulsa, OK
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Pittsburgh, PA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: RN, EMT or paramedic, patient care attendant or nurse’s aide or assistant, Peace Corps volunteer or other cross-cultural health care experience, therapist, clinical research assistant (with hands-on patient care), respiratory therapist/aide, medical assistant, OR tech or PT/OT assistant
University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne), IN
Shadowing Experience: Not required but considered
Patient Contact Experience: Required
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of South Alabama, AL
Shadowing Experience: PA/Physician Shadowing does not count towards the required 500 hours experience.
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 500 hours
Examples of Patient Contact 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 (basic & paramedic), MA, CNA, Nursing Aide, cardiology, ER, surgical tech, ultrasound, other hospital tech positions), Mental/Behavioral Health Counselor, Optometric Technician, Other Health Professions: Nursing, OT, PT, RT, Communications Sciences, Patient Care Tech, Phlebotomist, Fireman w/ medical calls
University of South Carolina, SOM, SC
Shadowing Experience: Preferred – 50 hours of direct shadowing of a PA (out of the required 500 hours)
Patient Contact Experience: Required – at least 500 documented health care exposure hours completed by September 1 of the year before you matriculate
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Shadowing of PA, NP, M.D./D.O., Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic, Military Medic/Clinical Specialist, Corpsman, Surgical Technician, Radiological Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Laboratory Technician with phlebotomy experience, Phlebotomist, Athletic Trainer, Scribe, Nursing (CNA, LPN, RN, CMA), Certified Physical/Occupational Therapist, PT/OT Assistant, Home health with verification of job duties, Medical Interpreter, Dietician, Pharmacy Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Ophthalmic Technician
University of South Dakota, SD
Shadowing Experience: Not required but valued
Patient Contact Experience: Required – a minimum of 500 patient care experience hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nursing (R.N., L.P.N., nurse aid), medical assistants, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and military corpsmen, community health aides, physical therapist, and phlebotomy
University of Southern California, CA
Shadowing Experience: Recommended (The average applicant has 1-2 shadowing experiences)
Patient Contact Experience: Recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: emergency medical technician, licensed vocational nurse, medical assistant (back office), medical scribe, medical technologist, military medical corpsman, nursing assistant, paramedic, psychiatric technician, radiologic technician, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, registered nurse, etc.
University of St. Francis (New Mexico)
Shadowing Experience: Required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – a minimum of 500 hours of formal, hands-on clinical experience – paid, volunteer, or shadowing
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Texas HS Center at San Antonio
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, TX
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Utah, UT
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Strongly recommended – a minimum of 2,000 hours by the application deadline
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
University of Washington, WA
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum 2,000-hour paid, recent experience (strongly recommends applying with 4,000 hours (2 years) clinical experience)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Military Medicine (Healthcare Specialist, Corpsman, Medical Technician, Combat Medic, Other Military Medicine Experiences); Paramedic, EMT, ER/ED Tech, RN, LPN, CNA, Medical Assistants, Allied Health Technicians, Athletic/ Rehabilitation Practitioners, Phlebotomist, Dietician/Nutritionist, Scribe
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, WI
Shadowing Experience: Not required, expected
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, expected (admitted applicants averaged three to six years of healthcare experience)
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Nursing assistant, phlebotomist, and EMT
University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but considered
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours (1500-2000+ hours recommended) at the time of the application
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Certified Nursing Assistant, Psychiatric Care Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomist, Medical Assistant, Home health aide or personal care attendant, Volunteer work in health-related agencies or organizations, research assistant, Volunteer work in hospitals, clinics or nursing homes.
University of Missouri – Kansas City, MO
Shadowing Experience: Required – minimum of 8 hours of shadowing a PA
Patient Contact Experience: Not required but preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: CNA licensure/experience, EMT licensure/experience, or work as a Medical Assistant, Nurse’s Aide, or Technician (in varying medical fields)
UT Southwestern School of Health Professions, TX
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: No minimum hours but strongly recommended
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, paramedic, nurse, scribe, medical assistant, CNA, ER tech, physical therapy aide, phlebotomist, pharmacy tech, clinical research assistant, etc.
Wagner College, NY
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but strengthens the application
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but strengthens the application
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, NC
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 1,000 hours
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Wayne State University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – 500 hours (within the last two years) of direct, hands-on patient-care experience completed by the application deadline
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT or paramedic, health educator, RN, patient care attendant or nurse’s aide, clinic assistant, physical therapy or occupational therapy aide, exercise physiologist, international health care volunteer or other cross-cultural health care experience, medical technologist, therapist, clinical research assistant, etc.
Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Shadowing Experience: Strongly recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Required – minimum of 500 hours of paid or volunteer experience at the time of the CASPA application
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
West Liberty University, WV
Shadowing Experience: Recommended
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but preferred
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Western Michigan University, MI
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: A minimum of 1,000 hours of health care experience, which must include direct patient contact
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Western University of Health Sciences, CA
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Not required
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: Not found
Wingate University, NC
Shadowing Experience: Not required
Patient Contact Experience: Required – a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: CNA, EMT, phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, scribe in an emergency department, etc.
Yale University, CT
Shadowing Experience: Not required, but encouraged
Patient Contact Experience: Not required, but recommended – a minimum of six months full-time healthcare employment, or 1,000 total hours of hands-on patient care experience and/or community service in a healthcare setting
Examples of Patient Contact Experience: EMT, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Medical Assistant, CNA, ER Tech, Physical Therapy Aide, Medical Scribe, Personal Care Provider