In Alabama, pursuing a career as a physician assistant involves more than just going to school. You must graduate from a respectable institution’s 2-3-year physician assistant program to prevent your aspirations from becoming empty wishes.
This article fully reviews the best physician assistant schools in Alabama, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.
You can learn all the medical abilities you’ll need for your productivity and competence in the medical profession from these schools in Alabama, in addition to obtaining your certificate.
Read More: 10 Best Physician Assistant Schools in the United States| Requirements & How to Apply
Are there P.A. Schools in Alabama?
YES. You have an option between four institutions in Alabama if you want to acquire your physician assistant degree on campus from a recognized program: Faulkner University, Samford University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of South Alabama.
While this drastically reduces the options, those who desire more options can also look into certified online programs that can be finished while residing in a state. You can use this guide to learn how to choose the solutions that are best for you.
How Do I Get Into PA Schools in Alabama?
You may say that getting into a P.A. school in Alabama is challenging. According to the data, applying to a specific P.A. program or P.A. school takes work. But raising your GPA, doing volunteer work in the medical field, and getting stellar letters of recommendation can all increase your chances of getting accepted.
Typically, a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree from an approved college or university is required to enroll in a P.A. program. Since your undergraduate university has little bearing on your admissions chances, it makes little difference where you attend school—a small community college or an Ivy League institution—as long as you are a strong applicant. An alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree is to enroll in the accelerated BS/MS Physician Assistant Program, which is available to high school students.
How Long are PA Schools in Alabama?
A physician assistant program typically requires two to four years to complete, not including clinical requirements.
The majority of physician assistant programs last two years or less to complete.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Studies program at PCOM lasts 26 months.
Read More: 10 Best Physician Assistant PA Schools in Oklahoma| Requirements, Cost & How to Apply
Can Physician Assistants Practice Independently in Alabama?
YES:
Physician assistants hold an essential position in Alabama’s healthcare system. Along with the established schooling requirements for physician assistants, the state also ensures its PAs are qualified to practice medicine through a required licensing procedure overseen by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.
Physicians and highly trained PAs contribute significantly to the education of physician assistants to ensure that the patient care activities performed by the physician assistant are of a caliber comparable to that of the physician to whom they are delegated.
What are the Best PA (Physician Assistant) Schools in Alabama?
#1. The University of Alabama at Birmingham
One of Alabama’s schools’ training physician assistants is the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), established in 1967.
Accepted students can pursue their studies in the renowned UAB Hospital System. They will also have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in emergency medicine, primary care, trauma, and surgery.
Competition for admission exists, but after acceptance, students receive practical instruction to help them build excellent clinical abilities that are attractive to employers and lead to employment offers.
There is no denying that the healthcare sector now suffers from a severe scarcity of professional assistants; compared to their colleagues nationwide, UAB PA graduates have great placement rates.
#2. Faulkner University
One of Alabama’s finest Master’s P.A. programs is offered at Faulkner University.
Through a network of partnerships with hospitals and other healthcare organizations throughout Alabama, the school provides Master’s programs in Physician Assistant studies that involve clinical experience.
There is a great need for physician assistant services in Montgomery and Alabama. Many healthcare organizations provide additional chances for students to get involved while still in school.
You can be sure that when you enroll in the physician assistant program at Faulkner University, you’re putting yourself in the best possible position to help your community, which is already there to support you.
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#3. Samford University
The physician assistant program of Samford University is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and is one of the Christian universities.
The first new program to begin in 20 years, the Samford University PA program, is the only private program in Alabama.
With an aging population and a noticeable doctor scarcity, there is a significant demand for physician assistants to provide regular medical care.
The program’s faculty has a combined 30 years of experience, so you can be confident that studying here will benefit you in every way and that you’ll learn something useful.
#4. University of South Alabama
One of the best P.A. programs in Alabama is offered by the University of South Alabama, one of the state’s P.A. universities for out-of-country students.
Candidates who want to apply to the University of South Alabama’s (USA) Physician Assistant Studies (P.A.) program must fulfill the minimal P.A. criteria listed below.
Please be aware that there is intense competition for admission to the USA PA program, and approved students frequently go above and beyond the minimal requirements of the P.A. schools.
To be considered for admission to the USA PA program, candidates must fulfill the following P.A. school prerequisites.
- A baccalaureate degree from a college or institution with regional accreditation.
- GRE verbal, quantitative, and analytical component scores.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a four on a scale is required.
- All required courses must have a minimum letter grade of C from a college or university in the United States with institutional accreditation.
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#5. University of West Alabama
More than 90 distinct disciplines of study are available at UWA, spread across five different colleges.
In addition to undergraduate degrees and minors in various subject areas, the school also offers doctorate programs, education specialist degrees, Master’s degrees, and undergraduate degrees.
The school accepts energetic students and offers courses to further their education of students. They will be exposed to various skills, academic interests, and other things. Additionally, they provide many scholarships.
#6. The University of Alabama in Huntsville
In Huntsville, Alabama—one of the best cities to live in, according to the U.S. News & World Report—there is a public national university named UAH. More than 50 nationalities, including 49 U.S. states, are represented among its pupils.
Among the 9,636 students enrolled this year was the first-year class with an average ACT score of 27 and a GPA of 3.97.
After graduation, these students typically earn starting salaries that are higher ($62,200) and mid-career salaries that are higher ($112,900) than the majority of their contemporaries in Alabama.
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#7. Auburn University Alabama
With its longstanding blend of applied science and the arts, Auburn University has grown to become one of the most prominent universities in the South.
It continues to be at the forefront of education while adapting to the needs of the modern world while maintaining respect for Auburn’s traditions and spirit.
International students from many countries have historically been well-represented at Auburn, especially among graduate students.
Auburn Global was launched on campus in 2015 and currently draws a sizable student body into a pathway program that supports not only undergraduate programs but also helps several Master’s programs thrive.
#8. University of Nebraska
A flagship campus with land grants. A hospital of academic medicine. A large campus addressing the needs of the urban population. a campus that is primarily for undergraduates.
The University of Nebraska is the collective name for these four distinctive institutions. It boasts a range of knowledge that is difficult to match because each institution has unique strengths.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is the only public academic health sciences center in Nebraska. Through instruction, ground-breaking research, and first-rate patient care, UNMC is building a healthier future.
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#9. University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is committed to training selected students to become skilled physician assistants who can collaborate closely with doctors, focusing on primary care in rural communities throughout North Dakota as well as locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Since our program’s inception in 1970, the school has produced approximately 2,000 graduates, demonstrating the effectiveness of its purpose.
To grant a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, the UND Department of Physician Assistant Studies provides a distinctive blend of synchronous and asynchronous online coursework combined with alternating classroom and clinical experiences. This cutting-edge curriculum layout offers excellent, thorough training for physician assistants and aids in developing concepts and abilities.
#10. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
A completely online MPAS program has been launched by the College of Health Affairs at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, allowing people to continue working in the medical industry while obtaining a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. The program provides physician assistants to achieve an MPAS while maintaining the most significant amount of study freedom through online learning, email and phone consultations with instructors, and online library resources.
Read More: 8 Best Physician Assistant Schools in Georgia| Requirements, Cost & How to Apply
What are the Easiest Alabama PA Schools to Get Into?
Physician Assistants (PA) in the U.S. are expected to see a growth of 37% over the next ten (10) years, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS). This will make Physician Assistants (PA) one of the fastest-growing career paths in the medical industry.
Most institutions also resort to admitting a small number of tens to hundreds from a pool of thousands of applications due to the rise in the number of prospective P.A. Assistant candidates, which has a detrimental influence on the institutions’ acceptance rates.
Additionally, most institutions significantly raise their GPAs to help them choose the top candidates throughout the selection process. I’ll tell you; the competition is usually fierce.
However, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most accessible P.A. schools to get into.
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Peace University
- Touro College
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Auburn University Alabama
How Much Does A Physician Assistant Make in Alabama?
The average annual salary for a physician assistant in Alabama is $95,094 as of July.
The wide range of physician assistant salaries (up to $23,071) implies that there may be numerous prospects for income increases and development based on experience, location, and skill level.
What are the Best Physician Assistant Programs in Alabama?
You have four options for attending a university in Alabama to acquire the top physician assistant degree on campus from an accredited program. While this drastically reduces the options, those who desire more options can also look into certified online programs that can be finished while residing in a state.
- Faulkner University Physician Assistant Program
- Samford University School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham Physician Assistant Program
- University of South Alabama Physician Assistant Program
What are the P.A. Schools in Alabama that Don’t Require GRE?
Your prospects of being accepted into a P.A. program in Alabama will mostly depend on how well you perform on the GRE or Graduate Record Examination. And a lot of contenders fear this the most. So it stands to reason that many students will seize the opportunity if they learn of a P.A. program that doesn’t require the GRE.
The universities and programs that don’t require the GRE for P.A. school applications have been compiled below.
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Peace University
- Touro College
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Are there Physician Assistant Master’s Programs in Alabama?
YES
There are physician Assistant Master’s Programs in Alabama
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree is a graduate program with a coursework component that is nationally certified and created to prepare generalist healthcare professionals who can sit for the Manitoba physician assistant licensing test.
The PA sChools that offer PA Master’s Programs are as follows.
- Faulkner University
- University of South Alabama
- Samford University
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
- University of North Dakota
- University of Nebraska
Are there Online Physician Assistant Courses in Alabama for International Students?
YES
You can locate certified online P.A. programs that suit your needs if you study online. Some programs are entirely online, while others are hybrid ones (a combination of online and on-campus study). Before starting any of them, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a relevant subject (such as pre-medicine or biology).
Here are some fully online physician assistant programs if you want to become a P.A. Some classes, conversations, and tests call for your presence online at specific times; others do not. Some additionally demand that you apply with NCCPA certification.
- Peace University
- Touro University
- University of Nebraska
- University of Wisconsin
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
What are the Cheapest PA Schools in Alabama?
If you live in the state where the P.A. program is located, the typical cost of attending physician assistant school is between $75,000 and $80,000. Tuition and fee costs have been rising over the past year at about 9%.
It costs significantly more to attend physician assistant school if you are not a resident of the state where the institution is located; on average, it costs roughly $95,000.
Here are the cheapest P.A. schools in Alabama
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Towson University – Essex
- Miami-Dade College
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- The University of Texas at Galveston
What are the Accredited PA Programs in Alabama?
There are accredited physician assistant colleges in Alabama where anyone looking to enroll in a program in 2023 can do so.
These institutions provide several P.A. programs at various levels. The fact that these institutions are well-known worldwide is another intriguing feature.
Below is a List:
- Birmingham’s University of Alabama
- South Alabama University
- Oakwood University
- Faulkner University
- University of South Alabama
- Samford University
How To Become A Physician Assistant in Alabama
The following stages are taken in learning how to become a physician assistant in Alabama:
- Meet the Prerequisites for Physician Assistant Programs.
- Complete an Accredited Physician Assistant Program
- Take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE)
- Licensure and Registration with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (ALBME)
- Maintain an Alabama Physician Assistant License and Professional Networking
Physician Assistant Certification Council Alabama
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) have all jointly accredited NetCE to provide continuing education for the healthcare team in support of enhancing patient care.
Physician assistants qualified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants are eligible to receive Category 1 CME Credit from NetCE as a jointly recognized provider (NCCPA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the P.A. colleges in Alabama Acceptance rates?
The Acceptance rate for P.A. Schools in Alabama is 76%.
How much do Physician Assistants make in Alabama?
A career as a Physician Assistant is quite lucrative; the average salary in Alabama is $105,389 annually.
Is PA school harder to get into than med school?
P.A. and medical school are highly competitive programs with thousands of applicants each cycle. However, Med schools are more challenging because it is easier to get into a P.A. school than Med Schools.
Is PA school harder than nursing school?
No, a P.A. school is not more complicated than a nursing school, but it is comparable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, enrolling in one of these P.A. schools is wise because it provides students with a top-notch practical education.
I sincerely hope the details in this article regarding the schools and programs for physician assistants are just what you need.
References
- beststudyabroadcountries. com
- spy Naija. com-Top
- www.paprograms.org
- www.ziprecruiter.com
- www.paschoolfinder.com
- www.myparesource.com
- kiiky. com
- www.medgeeks.co
- www.physician assistant Edu. org-Alabama
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