What can I do with a physician assistant master's?

For anyone interested in working in medicine, becoming a physician assistant can be a way to enter the field without earning an MD. You can apply for national certification and a state license to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. Unlike other medical professions, physician assistants can continue to earn specialized certifications throughout their careers. Common specializations for PAs include: Anesthesia, Cardiology, Dermatology, ENT, General practice, Internal medicine, Neurology, OB/GYN, Radiology, Pediatrics, and Surgery.

Are physician assistant graduates in demand?

According to the BLS, physician's assistant jobs are projected to be some of the fastest-growing occupations from 2023-2033. At 28% projected growth, PA job growth is almost 10 times the national average over that period.

Best Online Physician Assistant Master’s Programs

We’ve ranked the best online physician assistant master’s programs nationwide. Learn more about the education required to enter this growing field.

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Updated September 16, 2024

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A physician assistant master’s degree helps prepare you for a career in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, and other medical environments. Physician assistants (PAs) may examine patients, administer treatments or medication, and assist in surgeries or other medical procedures.

Earning an online master’s degree as a physician’s assistant typically requires 30-100 credits, which you can complete in 1-3 years at top online schools. Online program costs are comparable to traditional programs, although you may save on housing and transportation.

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In this Article

Best Online Physician Assistant Master’s Programs

Yale University

New Haven, CT4 yearCampus

$45,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$45,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$59,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$59,950

Retention Rate

98%

Students Enrolled

14,567

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$45,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,700

Yale University

New Haven, CT4 yearCampus

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$45,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,700

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$59,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$59,950

Retention Rate

98%

Students Enrolled

14,567

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI4 yearCampus + Online

$10,728

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,054

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

60%

Acceptance Rate

27%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,273

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,161

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

47,016

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,728

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,054

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,728

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,054

Acceptance Rate

60%

Online Enrollment

27%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,273

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,161

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

47,016

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$7,002

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,857

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,649

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

31,940

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,002

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,002

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

78%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,857

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,649

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

31,940

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

$11,503

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,254

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

89%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,882

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,323

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

13,772

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,503

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,254

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,503

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,254

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,882

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,323

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

13,772

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

What Can I Expect From an Online Physician Assistant Master’s Program?

You can benefit from the ability to handle diverse tasks and communicate clearly to patients, doctors, and colleagues. You must remain calm in high-stress environments and situations that require decisions under pressure.

Physician assistant graduate school programs vary in length. Some online programs only require 30 credits and can be completed in about a year of full-time study, although these options are typically for practicing PAs with ample experience who want to earn a graduate degree to advance their careers. Many top online programs require 90-100 credits and take full-time students 2-3 years to complete.

Many online programs require some on-campus coursework and previous medical work experience of at least 500 hours or more. Physician assistant online master’s degrees may also require you to complete clinical practicums in various specialties.

While PAs are not required to specialize, some choose to focus on one type of medicine. Common specialties include family medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, dermatology, and surgery subspecialties.

What Can I Do With an Online Physician Assistant Master’s Degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects physician assistant jobs to grow 28% between 2023 and 2033 — much higher than the average for all jobs.

After earning a physician assistant certification, you can pursue other certifications to demonstrate expertise in one or more specialties like anesthesia, cardiology, surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, dermatology, or emergency medicine. PAs benefit from the flexibility to pursue multiple specialties throughout their career.

Physician Assistant Industries and Salaries
Industry	Median Annual Salary (May 2023)
Outpatient Care Center	$141,050
Hospital	$134,120
Offices of Physicians	$126,280
Government	$122,010
Educational Services	$115,160

Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions About Physician Assistant Master’s Programs

According to the BLS, the median salary for physician’s assistants across specialties was $130,020 as of May 2023. This is significantly more than the average salary for all occupations.

A physician’s assistant master’s can open up flexible career advancement options. Plus, you can choose to specialize in one or more medical fields and work in various settings, such as hospitals, medical offices, community health centers, nursing homes, retail clinics, and rural clinics.

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