PA Programs

There are more than 140 accredited PA programs located throughout the United States. They are generally affiliated with two- and four-year colleges and university schools of medicine or allied health. The education consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in the basic medical and behavioral sciences (such as anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, and physical diagnosis), followed by clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and geriatric medicine.

The average PA program takes 26.5 months to complete. The first year generally is composed of classroom studies — the essential medical sciences such as microbiology, anatomy, and physiology — followed by a year of clinical rotations in private practice and institutional settings.

1st Year of Study

Classroom Studies

Anatomy

Physiology

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Biochemistry

Pathology

Clinical Lab

Health Promotion

Clinical Medicine

Medical Ethics

2nd Year of Study

Clinical Rotations

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Emergency Medicine

Pediatrics

Geriatric Medicine

Obstetrics/gynecology

Surgery

Orthopedics

Psychiatry

Radiology

The Online Program Directory published by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) is a comprehensive listing of physician assistant educational programs in the U.S.