Every state has its own accredited physician assistant schools, and Alabama is no exception.
When you’re looking to become a physician assistant, you might be wondering which of the PA schools in Alabama are the best ones to choose from.
Which ones offer the best programs and job placement assistance, or whether you should choose an online or on-campus program.
This is why we created this article, to bring together the best physician assistant schools in Alabama to help you make a more informed decision.
But before that, let us answer a few related questions.
Who is a Physician Assistant (PA)?
Physician assistants, or PAs, are healthcare professionals who provide basic medical care under supervision.
People in these positions don’t perform surgery or prescribe medication, but they can do almost everything else a doctor does—and often more.
PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order lab tests, and x-rays, write prescriptions, and more. They even deliver patient care in hospitals.
How do I become a PA in Alabama?
To become a Physician Assistant in Alabama, one will need to complete either an accredited Physician Assistant program or attend any of the PA colleges in Alabama.
Besides the qualifications for being a physician assistant in Alabama, these healthcare professionals are licensed and regulated by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.
License requirements for Physician Assistants in Alabama
To get your license to start practicing, here are some of the things you ought to do;
- 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)
What is the GPA Requirement for PA Colleges In Alabama?
Physician Assistant schools in Alabama mostly consider applicants with a GPA of 3.0 and above. On a general scale, a GPA of 3.5 should get you into any PA school in the United States.
What are the best and most Accredited PA schools in Alabama?
Alabama has incredible PA programs and here are some of the best schools that offer the PA programs in Alabama;
- Faulkner University
- Samford University
- University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham
- University of South Alabama
Faulkner University
Faulkner University is one of the top PA colleges in Alabama for Masters.
The school offers Master’s programs in Physician Assistant studies that include clinical experience through a network of affiliations with hospitals and other health care facilities across Alabama.
In fact, there’s such a high demand for physician assistant services in Montgomery and all over Alabama that many health care providers are offering more opportunities for students to get involved as students.
When you enroll in Faulkner University’s physician assistant program, you can be confident you’re preparing yourself to serve your community—because it’s already serving you.
Faulkner University PA School Requirements
According to Faulkner University’s PA program, students must meet certain criteria before enrollment:
- Official Transcripts
- Bachelor’s Degrees and all prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of application.
- The cumulative GPA must be 3.0 and better
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- 100 minimum direct patient care experience (Documented in CASPA)
- 40 minimum shadowing hours with a PA (Documented in CASPA)
- Supplemental Faulkner Graduate Application fee ($75 fee)
- GRE scores, including the writing component (Institution code 5028)
Samford University PA Program
Samford University is one of the Christian institutions and has a physician assistant program that is based in Birmingham, Alabama.
The PA program at Samford University is the only private program in the state of Alabama and the first to launch in 20 years.
With a continuously aging population and observable shortage of doctors, there is a high demand for physician assistants to offer routine health care.
Studying here will improve you in all ways, the program’s faculty has a combined 30 years of experience, and you are sure to get value here.
Samford University PA School Requirements:
- A Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4-point scale)
- Baccalaureate degree from a college or university that holds institutional accreditation (degree in any field) or is in the senior year of undergraduate study.
- Minimum of C letter grade in all prerequisite courses from an institutionally accredited college or university within the United States.
University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham PA Program
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is one of the Physician Assistant schools in Alabama, founded in 1967.
Admitted students have the opportunity to study ar within the prestigious UAB Hospital System, the students will also be opportune to complete clinical rotations in emergency medicine, primary care, trauma, and surgery.
Admission is competitive; however, once admitted, students are given hands-on training to develop strong clinical skills that translate well into job offers.
There’s no doubt that today’s healthcare industry is experiencing an acute shortage of professional assistants; UAB PA graduates enjoy excellent placement rates when compared to their peers nationwide.
University of Alabama PA School Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college/university.
- GRE scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytic sections.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a scale of 4.
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is one of the PA colleges in Alabama for international students, and it offers an exceptional PA program across the state.
Applicants who wish to apply to the University of South Alabama (USA) Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program must meet the following minimum PA requirements.
Please note that admission to the USA PA program is very competitive and accepted students typically exceed the minimum PA school requirements.
All of the following PA school requirements must be met to be considered for admission into the USA PA program.
University of South Alabama PA School Requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college/university.
- GRE scores from the verbal, quantitative, and analytic sections.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a scale of 4.
- Minimum of C letter grade in all prerequisite courses from an institutionally accredited college or university within the United States.
Note: International degrees or coursework does not satisfy this requirement.
Also Read: 15 Best Universities with high acceptance rates for international students in USA
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best PA Programs in Alabama?
- Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) from the Faulkner University
- Master’s Program in Physician Assistant studies from Samford University
- The UAB Physician Assistant Studies Program
- Physician Assistant Studies PA program at the University of South Alabama (USA) in Mobile, Alabama.
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.
What is the PA colleges in Alabama Acceptance Rate?
The Acceptance rate for PA Schools in Alabama is 76%.
Is PA school harder than nursing school?
No, a PA school is not harder than a nursing school, but is comparable.
Is PA school harder to get into than med school?
PA school and medical school are both extremely competitive programs with thousands of applicants each cycle. However, Med schools are harder because it is easier to get into a PA school than it is for Med Schools.
Resources
- Faulkner University
- Samford University
- University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham
- University of South Alabama
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