So You Want to be a Physician Assistant (PA)?

Physician associates / physician assistants (PAs) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and healthcare setting. Trusted, rigorously educated, and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.

PLU offers all the foundational coursework and advising necessary for students to fulfill prerequisites for master’s-level PA programs across the nation. Because PAs receive broad, generalist medical training, they can transition across specialties throughout their careers without repeating residency training.

Mandatory Admission Requirements & Experiences

Unlike medical school applications, PA programs require substantial hands-on healthcare hours prior to applying. Understanding the critical distinction between Patient Care Experience (PCE) and Healthcare Experience (HCE) is vital to building a competitive file.

Patient Care Experience (PCE)

CRITICAL & MANDATORY (1,000 – 2,000+ Hours)

Direct, hands-on clinical care where you are directly responsible for the patient’s evaluation or treatment.

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / Medical Assistant (MA)
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic
  • Phlebotomist / Diagnostic Sonographer
  • Physical Therapy Aide / Scribe (varies by program)

Healthcare Experience (HCE)

SUPPLEMENTAL (Non-Direct Care)

Work in a health or health-related field where you are not directly responsible for a patient’s care decision/treatment.

  • Medical Receptionist / Unit Secretary
  • Hospital Volunteer / Patient Transport
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Insurance Billing / Medical Coding Specialist

What PAs Do & Generalist Philosophy

PA education and practice emphasize patient education, preventive care, and chronic care management, treating the “whole patient.” PAs perform comprehensive medical duties including:

  • Taking medical histories and conducting physical examinations
  • Diagnosing illnesses and managing chronic conditions
  • Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging
  • Prescribing medications across medical and surgical disciplines
  • Assisting in surgeries and performing invasive clinical procedures
  • Counseling patients on preventative health, diet, and disease management

*93% of patients state PAs add direct value to healthcare teams, and 90% say PAs improve overall access to care (AAPA Harris Poll).

Comparing Healthcare Paths: PA vs. MD/DO vs. NP

Feature Physician Assistant (PA) Physician (MD / DO) Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Educational Model Generalist Medical Model (modeled on medical school) Allopathic / Osteopathic Medical Model Advanced Practice Nursing Model
Program Length ~27 months (Graduate Master’s level) 4 years Med School + 3-7 years Residency 2-4 years (MSN or DNP degree)
Specialization Flexibility High flexibility; trained as generalists; switch specialties without new residency Trained in specific residency; requires additional fellowship to change fields Must select a target population focus during school (e.g. Pediatrics, Women’s Health)
Clinical Hours Needed Prior Mandatory: 1,000-2,000+ hours of Direct Patient Care Experience (PCE) Clinical exposure/shadowing expected, but high PCE hours rarely mandatory Requires BSN degree and RN clinical experience prior to admission

PLU Pre-PA Pathway & Coursework Guide

Review complete prerequisite lists, CASPA application timeline planning, personal statement guidance, and local PCE hours opportunities.

View PLU Prerequisite Guide (DOC) →

Education, Licensing & Practice Workplaces

Education & Clinical Rotations

Programs average 27 months (3 academic years) at the Master’s level, encompassing intensive instruction followed by 2,000 hours of clinical rotations across key medical domains:

  • Primary Care (22%) & Internal Medicine (13%)
  • Surgical Subspecialties (29%)
  • Emergency Medicine (6%) & Urgent Care (4%)
  • Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Behavioral Health & Specialties (26%)

Certification & Practice Settings

To practice, PAs must graduate from an accredited ARC-PA program and pass the PANCE. Practice settings include:

  • Workplaces: Outpatient Clinics (53%), Hospitals (35%), Urgent Care (4%), Educational/Rehab (8%)
  • Licensing: Pass PANCE exam + obtain state license
  • Maintenance: 100 Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours every 2 years
  • Recertification: National recertification exam every 10 years

Career Outlook & Demand

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for physician assistants is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations. High demand for care among aging populations, expanding primary care needs, and provider shortages mean that roughly 75% of PA graduates receive multiple job offers upon graduation.

Ready to Plan Your Pre-PA Pathway?

Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with Pre-Health Advising to discuss prerequisite planning, PCE strategy, and application timing.


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