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.
Featured Online Related Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Physician Assistant Master's Programs
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.
| 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 |
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.
