Becoming a physician assistant (PA) is an awesome career move for anyone who wants to work in the medical field. There is no better way to do this than by enrolling in an MPAS degree program.
MPAS degrees are perfect for future physician assistants and with a predicted shortage of them, now is the time to chase your dreams and enroll in one of the best MPAS (Master of Physician Assistant Studies) programs out there.
What Is an MPAS Degree?
MPAS stands for Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. PA education students who are enrolled in an MPAS program spend their time learning all about and practicing patient care experience, clinical experience, and healthcare in general.
An MPAS program is the best physician assistant education for most students. It is considered one of the best physician assistant degrees to earn if you want to advance your career in the medical field.
In order to enroll in an MPAS program, you will need to meet a few prerequisites. Perhaps the most obvious one is to have earned a bachelor’s degree in a similar field.
As is the case with most master’s programs, you will likely be required to have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be accepted into a program, and many schools also require scores from some sort of entrance exam, such as the GRE.
Since all schools and programs are different, we recommend double-checking these requirements with your desired schools and programs to ensure you have all of the correct information prior to applying.
Five Reasons You Should Earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree
There are many reasons you should earn a physician assistant master’s degree and learn how to become a physician assistant, but we have narrowed it down to the top five for you to take into consideration. A master’s degree is a big task to complete, but it is worth it in the end.
Easily Advance Your Career
For many, working your way up in the medical field is a challenge. One of the most challenging aspects is trying to make your way from a position such as a nurse practitioner to a physician.
After studying online nursing programs and working hard, an MPAS degree is often the next step. By earning an MPAS, you are able to create a bridge between various medical careers, and ultimately, advance your career with ease.
When working in clinical rotations, physician assistants are able to work without the supervision of the lead physician, and for many nurse practitioners, this is a dream. While becoming a physician assistant takes a little more than simply earning a master’s degree, it is a fantastic place to start and it paves the way for anyone pursuing a medical career.
Salary
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for physician assistants is around $108,000 per year. While this is already a pretty comfortable annual salary to be earning, there are plenty of opportunities to earn even more.
The top 10 percent of physician assistants in the United States have reported earning over $146,000 per year. Though this will certainly not be the salary you earn with just any job, it is definitely achievable and something to work toward.
Job Stability
When you are considering a career in any field, job stability almost always comes to your mind. Nobody wants to begin a career in a dying field, as losing the job you trained so hard for can be a serious setback to your work life in general.
Luckily for you and all of the other aspiring physician assistants out there, the field of healthcare is one of the most rapidly growing fields in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted the field to grow 18 percent by 2026, which is significantly faster than most other fields. This means you will never have to worry about job security.
Easily Find Jobs
Taking into account both the rapid growth of the field and the way you will study throughout the duration of an MPAS program, we can safely say you should have no trouble at all when looking for jobs.
Since MPAS programs require you to do clinical rotations, you will be working under the direct supervision of different licensed physicians. You will likely be doing your best to impress the physicians, as you are working on your professional and academic growth at the same time. Combine this with a strong need for physician assistants, and you have a job.
Help Others Through Your Work
For many, the most satisfying feeling in the world is being able to help others. As a physician assistant, you’ll be able to do just that. Every day you go to work in any medical or healthcare career, you are helping others.
It doesn’t matter if you are saving lives or making little kids feel safe when receiving vaccinations, being able to help others makes the job that much more worth it. Not to mention the amazing relationships you can build with patients.
The Best MPAS Degree Programs
Enrolling in one of the best MPAS degree programs is the key to easily becoming a physician assistant. Though there is a reputation of difficulty, there are medical schools that are easy to get into. While this isn’t the most extensive list, these are three of the best MPAS programs PA students can apply to.
Baylor College of Medicine
Ranked the best MPAS program in Texas and third-best in all of the United States, Baylor College of Medicine offers a fantastic program with all the bells and whistles. This program is taught by experienced faculty and provides students with interdisciplinary learning.
George Washington University
George Washington University offers both a regular and dual degree program, which provides options for all students. Those enrolled in either program will receive a high-quality education that is designed to build upon their previous experiences in the field.
Drexel University
After earning Drexel University’s degree, all graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam offered by the American Academy of Physician Assistants. This program takes time to prepare students for both their future careers and to pass the exam.
Should You Earn a Physician Assistant Master’s Degree?
If you are hoping to become an (MPAS) physician assistant, earning a physician assistant master’s degree is an absolute must. An MPAS degree will benefit you in many ways, including your career and advancement, salary, and ability to do the work you love.
So, to make a long answer short, yes, you should earn a physician assistant master’s degree. Be sure to review the top physician assistant master programs listed above to find the best PA program for you.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
