Physician Assistant Programs in California with Degree Options

Physician assistant schools in California share many of the same basic requirements. First, candidates should have already earned a bachelor's degree since physician assistant programs in California usually result in earning a master's degree. The credits earned during a bachelor's degree should include the following courses to be able to apply for PA schools in California:

• English
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Anatomy and physiology
• Microbiology
• Statistics
• Biochemistry
• Medical terminology

However, the best PA schools in California may have additional course requirements. In general, candidates will also need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and submit their scores. Schools also require a completed application and fees, a resume, letters of recommendation and a personal statement that explains the reasons for pursuing a physician assistant program.

Loma Linda University

One of the PA schools in Southern California can be found at Loma Linda University. The Master of Physician Assistant program at this Christian-based university accepts students who completed specific prerequisites and have 2,000 hours of healthcare experience. The two-year program requires students to spend the first year completing classes like medical ethics, patient diagnosis, anatomy, and pathophysiology. During the second year, students learn about PA issues and complete a series of clinical rotations in various medical specialties.

Samuel Merritt University

Those in the Oakland area can find a PA master's degree program at Samuel Merritt University. To be one of the 36 students accepted into the program each year, applicants must have 1,000 hours of patient care experience. Work experience in healthcare trumps volunteer experience in this competitive application process.

Once accepted, students spend 27 months completing the program's requirements. The didactic portion takes up the first 15 months and teaches students about clinical and behavioral science, patient evaluations and clinical duties. The remaining 12 months make up the clinical training portion of the program. Students complete several clerkships in areas of pediatrics, geriatrics and surgery.

Stanford University

Stanford University offers a primary care program at its campus in Palo Alto. Students learn how to become physician assistants by taking classroom courses and clinical rotations. Applicants need to have at least 3,000 hours of healthcare experience. Graduates of the program earn a certificate from Stanford University, but they can also transfer their credits to Foothill College's associate degree program. Graduates may also opt to complete Saint Francis University's online Master of Medical Science program for physician assistants.

Touro University California

A dual degree program that leads to a Master in Public Health and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is offered at this university in Vallejo. Students can complete the program in 32 months. To be considered a competitive candidate, applicants need to have at least a 3.0 GPA, more than 20 hours of job shadowing experience, and at least 1,000 hours of healthcare experience.

Students in the program spend the first four months completing classes like anatomy, biostatistics and pharmacology. The remaining portion of the program is spent acquiring clinical training. Additionally, students may complete a public health fieldwork experience and capstone course.

University of California - Davis

To be considered for the PA track of University of California - Davis' Master of Health Services program, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of healthcare experience. Accepted students can expect to complete clinical training in underserved areas. The university has more than 40 faculty members teaching students. The program is full time, and students may earn their degree in 27 months. Students take courses like pharmacology, advanced clinical skills, healthcare systems, and thesis research.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California, located in Los Angeles, also offers a PA master's degree program. Admission requirements include completing prerequisite classes, submitting GRE scores, and obtaining professional clinical and community service experience.

The program's curriculum focuses mainly on providing medical care to areas that are medically underserved. In the first year, the program requires students to complete classes in medical science, clinical procedures, behavioral science, and medical topics. The second year provides clinical training through rotations.

Western University of Health Sciences

In order to apply to Western University of Health Sciences' PA master's program, located in Pomona, individuals should have completed prerequisites. Unlike many other physician assistant programs, applicants aren't required to have previous healthcare experience; however, applicants may need to exhibit community involvement.

The first year of the program is mainly spent in the classroom and laboratory completing coursework. First-year students may also have the chance to gain clinical training through volunteer work. The majority of the second year is spent performing clinical rotations in healthcare settings. Students also work together to compile a research project during this year.

To practice as a physician assistant (PA) in California, individuals must first obtain licensure from the Medical Board of California's Physician Assistant Board. Meeting the eligibility requirements for this licensure means that applicants must first pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants' (NCCPA) certifying exam - the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). To be eligible for the PANCE, applicants must first complete a degree program approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Read on for details about physician assistant training programs in California.

School Name	School Type & Setting	Physician Assistant Programs Offered	Annual Tuition and Fees for First Year (2019-2020)
Loma Linda University	4-year, private not-for-profit; large suburb	Master of Physician Assistant	$54,796 tuition, $3,620 fees (graduate)*
Samuel Merritt University	4-year, private not-for-profit; large city	Master of Physician Assistant	$53,522 tuition, $179 fees (graduate)*
Stanford University	4-year, private not-for-profit; large suburb	Certificate of Clinical Proficiency in Primary Care	$72,420 tuition, $10,173 fees and misc expenses (graduate)*
Touro University California	4-year, private not-for-profit; midsize city	Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies/Master of Public Health	$137,220 tuition, $400 fees (graduate)*
University of California - Davis Campus	4-year, public; small suburb	Master of Health Services in Physician Assistant Studies	$63,480 (graduate)*
University of Southern California	4-year, private not-for-profit; large city	Master of Physician Assistant Practice	$59,260 tuition, $5,959 fees (graduate)*
Western University of Health Sciences	4-year, private not-for-profit; large suburb	Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies	$44,105 tuition and fees (graduate)*

Source: *NCES College Navigator