Physician assistants are medical professionals that are highly trained in various specialties of medicine. PAs work under the supervision of licensed physicians and can provide medical services in hospitals, private practices, clinics, government agencies, long-term care facilities and nursing homes. If you’re interested in training to become a physician assistant on a part-time basis, there are many programs you can choose from.

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy is located in Detroit, Michigan. Students who are interested in training to be physician assistants at UDM can choose between a two or three-year program. The three-year program option is comprised of two years of didactic study and one year of clinical experience, so students can continue to work during the two didactic years.

Courses in the program include, but are not limited to, advanced human anatomy, pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, general surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics and psychiatry. In order to gain acceptance into either the two or three-year PA program at University of Detroit Mercy, you must have a bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), complete all of the required prerequisite courses in science and mathematics, obtain a year of full-time health care experience, complete a personal interview with the program and present three letters of recommendation. Financial assistance is available to qualifying students.

University of Detroit Mercy 4001 W. McNichols Rd. Detroit, MI 48221 313-993-1000 healthprofessions.udmercy.edu

Drexel University

Drexel University,located in Philadelphia, offers a part-time, 39-month physician assistant program. The three-year, two-month-long program is divided into two years of didactic studies and one year of clinical experience. The curriculum includes courses such as patient communication, clinical assessment, pharmacology and therapeutics, principles of medical science and six different clinical experiences in specialty areas such as surgery, internal medicine and pediatrics. In order to gain acceptance into the program, you must have a bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. You must also provide three letters of recommendation, submit proof of a minimum of 500 patient paid or volunteer contact hours, sit for an interview and complete all of the required prerequisite courses. Financial assistance and housing are available to those who qualify.

Drexel University 1505 Race St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-895-2000 drexel.edu

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is located in Newark, New Jersey. UMDNJ offers a full and part-time master of physician assistant studies program. The full-time program is three years long while the part-time program is four years long.

While enrolled in either program, students take courses such as biochemistry, neuroanatomy, microbiology, medical ethics, physical diagnosis, medical interviewing, clinical nutrition and pharmacology.

Admission requirements include a bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, the completion of required prerequisite courses, three recommendation forms and a personal interview. Though not required, four to twelve weeks of patient care experience is recommended. Students can apply for financial assistance.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Stanley S. Bergen Building - Room 149 65 Bergen Street University Heights Newark, NJ 07107 973-972-5454 shrp.umdnj.edu

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