Finding the top college in Maryland for your undergraduate Physician Assistant degree at one of the Best Physician Assistant schools and Universities is a terrific way to start your career as a Physician Assistant.
Going to school alone is not enough to pursue a profession as a medical assistant in Maryland. To keep your dreams from becoming wishful thinking, you must complete the 2-3 year Physician Assistant degree at a reputable college.
To help you launch a fruitful career as a top-notch physician assistant (PA), we’ve identified the top 10 physician assistant schools in Maryland below.
Along with earning your diploma, you can gain all the medical skills necessary for your productivity and proficiency in the medical field from these schools in Alabama.
However, before we list the best physician assistant schools in Maryland, we will look at some of the frequently asked questions as regards this subject matter.
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Table of contents
- Are There PA Schools In Maryland?
- How Do I Get Into Any Physician Assistant Schools In Maryland?
- How Long Are PA Schools In Maryland?
- Can Physician Assistants Practice Independently In Maryland?
- What are the Best Physician Assistant Schools In Maryland?
- #1. Frostburg State University
- #2. Towson University
- #3. University of Maryland- Baltimore
- #4. University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
- #5. University of North Dakota
- #6. Touro College
- #7. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- #8. Anne Arundel Community College
- #9. Peace University
- #10. University of Texas- Rio Grande
- What Are The Easiest Maryland PA Schools To Get Into?
- How Much Does A Physician Assistant Make In Maryland?
- What are the Best Physician Assistant Programs In Maryland?
- What are the Best Physician Assistant Schools In Maryland That Don’t Require GRE?
- Are there Physician Assistant Master’s Programs In Maryland?
- Are There Online Physician Assistant Courses In Maryland For International Students?
- What are the Cheapest PA Schools In Maryland?
- What are the Accredited PA Programs In Maryland?
- How To Become A Physician Assistant In Maryland
- Physician Assistant Certification Council of Maryland
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
Are There PA Schools In Maryland?
Yes, there are a few physician assistant Schools in Maryland. These schools are:
- Frostburg State University
- Towson University
- University of Maryland- Baltimore
- University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
- University of North Dakota
- Peace University
- University of Nebraska
- University of Wisconsin
- Miami Dade College
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Touro College
- University of Texas- Rio Grande
- Anne Arundel Community College
How Do I Get Into Any Physician Assistant Schools in Maryland?
New students are admitted to the Physician Assistant program annually during the summer term.
The full-time, 25-month curriculum requires ongoing attendance. Therefore, students need to organize their budgets properly to minimize employment needs. The Student Services Center’s Student Financial Services division has information on financial aid options.
Students must meet every academic and technical requirement before being admitted to the program. On the other hand, the student will be accepted into the program before enrolling in any PHA course. To advance into the program’s clinical year, a physician assistant must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
All medical assistant students must have access to the Internet, a personal cell phone, and an email address.
How Long Are PA Schools In Maryland?
Physician assistants are expert healthcare professionals. This program is for students from Towson University and CCBC-Essex who have earned a bachelor”s degree.
The 98-credit, 26-month program requires full-time, ongoing enrollment.
However, as a student applying for the 2023 CASPA cycle (UMB), the University of Maryland, Baltimore, offers a 25-month, 116-credit Physician Assistant Program.
Can Physician Assistants Practice Independently In Maryland?
However, following the delegation agreement submitted to the Board, a physician assistant can perform medical actions typical of the primary or substitute supervising physician’s practice. 15-302 of the H.O. Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, contains statutory provisions relating to the necessary elements of delegation agreements.
The Board’s website includes Title 15 of the H.O. Article and other pertinent laws. Similar rules can be found in COMAR 10.32.03.05C(6) Delegation Agreements-Contents, which is part of the COMAR regulations.
What are the Best Physician Assistant Schools In Maryland?
Below are some of the best physician assistant schools in Maryland
#1. Frostburg State University
A professional degree program called the Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program at Frostburg State University (FSU) aims to academically and professionally prepare students for the duties, services, and leadership of a physician assistant.
This graduate degree program comprises two stages that last 24 months, including summers and intersessions, and 117 credits.
Phase II (clinical field education phase) consists of 43 program credits spread over 11 months, comprising ten different supervised clinical field experiences (also known as SCPEs or Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences) and a four-credit summative capstone course.
Also, among the definite learning domains are human anatomy, fundamental medical sciences, clinical medicine, clinical evaluation and diagnostics, clinical patient care skills and interventions, professional growth, research, and numerous field practice experiences.
#2. Towson University
At Towson University, academic quality and student success are given high priority. A TU education is distinguished by its small class numbers, dynamic faculty, and engaging learning opportunities. Internationally renowned writers, scientists, and artists—including Nobel Laureates, Guggenheim Fellows, and Fulbright Fellows—will be your collaborators.
Towson University equips you with the means to promote learning and scholarship through its Cook Library online and in-person services, which include more than 200 computers, viewing and listening areas, scanners, and printing resources.
Every academic program has a solid liberal arts foundation and offers possibilities for volunteer work, civic involvement, internships, and study abroad.
Undergraduate and graduate programs at Towson University demonstrate our ability to adapt to ongoing change in today’s competitive global market. The most recent developments in their industries are kept up to date for professionals through non-degree programs and specialized training.
#3. University of Maryland- Baltimore
The University of Maryland Baltimore Graduate School (UMB) champions educational excellence to support the growth of qualified, moral, and caring primary care providers. We value diversity, scholarly inquiry, lifelong learning, and research.
The importance of both academics and professionalism is stressed to complete this purpose.
Currently offered by the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) and Anne Arundel Community College, the Physician Assistant Program is a 25-month, 116-credit program for students who are already enrolled (AACC).
The University of Maryland, Baltimore, offers a 25-month, 116-credit Physician Assistant Program if you’re interested in applying to the 2020 CASPA cycle (UMB).
#4. University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Physician Assistant Department is a master’s degree-granting educational program (UMES).
It is dedicated to granting an equitable opportunity to everyone as part of the 1890 Land Grant University, especially to people from diverse backgrounds.
The curriculum fosters health and wellness by offering high-quality primary care health education in a multicultural setting that prioritizes knowledge discovery, development, and dissemination, as well as a practical application of that information through community outreach and service.
The department seeks to educate and prepare competent and socially responsible clinical professionals to satisfy the requirements of various communities in local, state, national, and international situations.
#5. University of North Dakota
With an emphasis on primary care in rural communities inside North Dakota as well as regionally, nationally, and internationally, the University of Dakota is committed to educating selected students to become skilled physician assistants who collaborate with doctors.
The institution has fulfilled its purpose with approximately 2,000 graduates since the program began in 1970.
The UND Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree. It is a remarkable hybrid degree that combines online coursework that is both synchronous and asynchronous with alternating classroom and clinical experiences.Â
This ground-breaking curriculum approach offers a thorough education for medical assistants and aids in developing essential abilities and ideas.
#6. Touro College
Programs at Touro College prepare students for careers in counseling and medicine while placing a strong emphasis on the importance of public service and wholesome communities
The institution hires instructors committed to each student’s academic and professional success since they are themselves practicing professionals and health care specialists. They incorporate new technologies and therapeutic advances into all of their programs.
#7. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
You will gain knowledge and abilities while enrolled in the DScPAS program directly related to your work as a P.A. You’ll get started with a curriculum created by an interprofessional team that will get you ready to work well with other practitioners and providers.
You can focus on your professional interests by choosing a concentration in clinical management, educational leadership, or health system administration.
Additionally, you’ll be mentored through a practical, research-based capstone project in the second to last part of the program, when you’ll put the skills you learned in the classroom into practice.
Being a P.A. at this time is exciting, and at MCPHS, it is known how the field has developed to include more specializations and provide practitioners with more responsibilities.
The school is honored to be one of the first universities to offer a doctoral-level degree in physician assistant studies to keep up with the expanding field.
#8. Anne Arundel Community College
The PA Program has a 27-year history; it received its first accreditation from Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in 1996, and its first batch of graduates graduated in 1998.
The sponsoring institution must now grant a master’s degree as the professional terminal degree following P.A. accreditation guidelines. AACC collaborated with the University of Maryland Graduate School to transition and ultimately transfer the P.A. Program sponsorship to UMB as it is a community institution and does not offer Master’s degrees.
As part of a cooperative agreement, the Graduate School provided a “teach-out” of the final UMB/AACC dual enrolled P.A. students before taking over sponsorship of the program on January 1, 2020.
#9. Peace University
Your working experience can be expanded through Peace University’s curriculum, and you can earn your terminal degree flexibly that works with your schedule.
After completing integrated interprofessional training experiences, you will be prepared to improve your career and deliver patient-centered care.
Through coursework in epidemiology, health promotion, evidence-based medicine, research methodologies, and leadership, you develop your professional skill set.
Graduates work as specialized physician assistants in various institutions, including universities, hospitals, nursing homes, and private care facilities.
#10. University of Texas- Rio Grande
The Department of Physician Assistant (DPA) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley seeks to alter how South Texas’ diverse population receives healthcare by offering students a cutting-edge, advanced medical education.
The DPA encourages its students to value self-evaluation and lifelong learning.
The Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) equips graduates with critical thinking abilities, good judgment, moral integrity, and practice interpersonal skills.
The graduate will be able to evaluate medical patients and create a strategy for dealing with health issues.
Basic medical, behavioral, and social sciences, an introduction to clinical medicine, supervised clinical practice, health policy, and professional practice challenges are all included in the professional curriculum for P.A. education.
What Are The Easiest Maryland PA Schools To Get Into?
According to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, physician assistants (PA) are anticipated to expand by 37 percent during the following ten (10) years (BLS). One of the medical industry’s professional choices with the highest growth will be physician assistants (PA), as a result.
Due to the increase in applicants seeking to be P.A. Assistants, most universities also resort to admitting a small number of tens to hundreds from a pool of thousands of applications, negatively affecting the institutions’ acceptance rates.
Furthermore, to aid them in selecting the best applicants throughout the selection process, the majority of schools dramatically improve their GPAs. You can count on there being a lot of competition.
On the other hand, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most straightforward P.A. schools to get into.
- University of Nebraska
- University of Wisconsin
- Miami Dade College
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Touro College
- University of Texas- Rio Grande
How Much Does A Physician Assistant Make In Maryland?
As of July 26, 2022, Maryland’s Physician Assistant – Medical salary average is $116,899, although the normal range is between $107,605 and $128,884.
Salary ranges might vary significantly based on the city and several other crucial aspects, such as schooling, certifications, supplementary talents, and the length of time you’ve worked in a given field.
What are the Best Physician Assistant Programs In Maryland?
When it comes to attending a university in Maryland and earning the best medical assistant degree on campus from a recognized program, you have four choices.
Although the alternatives are somewhat less, as a result, those who want more choices can also look into accredited online programs that can be completed as a resident of a state.
The best physician assistant Schools with the best P.A. Programs are:
- Towson University PA Program
- University of Maryland- Baltimore PA Program
- University of Maryland- Eastern Shore PA Program
- Anne Arundel Community College PA Program
What are the Best Physician Assistant Schools In Maryland That Don’t Require GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a significant factor in determining your chances of getting into a P.A. program in Maryland. And this is what a lot of competitors fear most. Therefore, it makes sense that if they learn of a P.A. program that doesn’t require the GRE, many students will take advantage of it.
Below is a list of the institutions and initiatives that don’t require the GRE for P.A. school applicants.
- Towson University
- University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
- University of North Dakota
- University of Nebraska
- Touro College
Are there Physician Assistant Master’s Programs In Maryland?
In Maryland, there are Master’s programs for physician assistants.
A graduate program featuring a coursework component, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies ( MPAS ) degree, was developed to prepare generalist healthcare practitioners to take the Manitoba physician assistant licensing exam.
The following list includes P.A. schools that offer the PA Master’s program.
- Frostburg State University
- Towson University
- University of Maryland- Baltimore
- University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
Are There Online Physician Assistant Courses In Maryland For International Students?
To complete coursework for online programs, you need to be close to your laptop; the program will determine whether this is at set times or whenever it works best for you.
Although you may generally complete your clinical requirements in your neighborhood, you should always consider how the programs you are interested in might assist you in finding placement sites.
When it comes to flexibility, at the very least, online programs remove commuting, and at the very best, they enable you to do your work whenever suits you best.
The PA Schools that practice online programs are:
- Peace University
- University of Nebraska
- University of Wisconsin
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Touro College
- University of Texas- Rio Grande
What are the Cheapest PA Schools In Maryland?
The average price of attending physician assistant school in the state where the P.A. program is located is between $75,000 and $80,000. Over the past year, tuition and fee costs have increased at a rate of nearly 9%.
If you are not a resident of the state where the institution is located, physician assistant school will cost you substantially more; on average, it will cost you about $95,000.
Here are Maryland’s least expensive P.A. institutions.
- Peace University
- University of Nebraska
- University of Wisconsin
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Touro College
- University of Texas- Rio Grande
What are the Accredited PA Programs In Maryland?
Anyone wishing to enroll in a program in Maryland in 2022 can do so at one of its authorized physician assistant colleges.
These organizations provide several P.A. programs at different levels. Another noteworthy aspect is how well-known these institutions are on a global scale.
Below are some of the schools:
- Frostburg State University
- Towson University
- University of Maryland- Baltimore
- University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
- Anne Arundel Community College
How To Become A Physician Assistant In Maryland
Here are some typical actions to take in Maryland to become a physician assistant. Be sure to confirm any unique state requirements with the licensing authority:
Earn your Physician Assistant Degree:
You’ll need two and a half years to do this. To be sure you will soon satisfy certification standards, look for physician assistant programs certified by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE):
In the article on how to become a physician assistant, you can read more information on the PANCE.
Your License:
To verify that you are on pace to fulfill all current licensure criteria, check with the Maryland Board of Physicians as soon as possible. The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) states that passing the PANCE exam and graduating from a recognized physician assistant program are prerequisites for licensing in Maryland.
It is not necessary to be currently certified by the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants). This is a general overview; for details on regulations in Maryland, consult the state board.
Physician Assistant Certification Council of Maryland
The candidate must fill out an application pdf provided by the Board.
- Be a good moral person.
- 18 years of age or older.
- Payment of the application cost.
- completion of a physician assistant
- education program approved by the
- Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or a successor organization.
- The National Commission on Licensure of Physician Assistants certifies individuals (NCCPA).
- Exhibit English language proficiency in both spoken and writing form, as required by the Board.
- Satisfy any additional standards imposed by the Board.
- Submit a criminal background check.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a P.A. in Maryland?
How to Become a Physician Assistant in Maryland:
Choose Accredited Maryland Physician Assistant Programs for Licensure.
Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
Become Licensed to Practice in Maryland.
Keep Maryland License Up-to-date.
What is the average GPA for P.A. school applicants?
In the 2020 Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) report, the average overall GPA of students accepted to P.A. school was 3.6. Accepted students had, on average, a 3.53 science GPA, 3.67 non-science GPA, and 3.5 BCP GPA. These numbers paint a more accurate picture of your admission chances.23
What is a P.A. master’s degree called?
The awarded degree will be a professional Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, attending one of these P.A. schools is an excellent choice because it offers students a top-notch practical education.
I genuinely hope that the information in this article on the colleges and programs for physician assistants is precisely what you need.
References
