Is
there any significant difference between attending a PA program that offers a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Physician Assistant vs. a Masters of Physician
Assistant upon completion of the program?
All
PA programs are accredited by the ARC-PA. All programs must meet the same
standards in order to graduate students so they can sit for the PANCE exam.
Once they pass this exam, they must obtain their license in the state they wish
to practice.
This
standard is the same across the board, regardless of the degree type offered by
the PA program. The degree type earned should not determine a student's
capacity to be hired since each PA program is required to meet the same set of
standards.
In 2020 (with
the start class of 2019), the profession will shift to the master's degree as
the entry and terminal degree, meaning, all programs will have a mechanism in
place to award the master's credential upon graduation from the PA
program.
