My son is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Business. He’s been accepted into two Physician Assistant ¶ programs:
Pace University – a 2-year program
St. John’s University – a 3-year program (which is also more expensive)
We’re weighing the options and trying to understand the professional pros and cons of a 2-year versus a 3-year PA program.
From a career or clinical perspective, does the length of the program make a difference in terms of preparation, job opportunities, or long-term success? Is the additional year (and cost) at St. John’s justified?
Any insights from current or former PAs, students, or healthcare professionals would be greatly appreciated!
Congratulations on the acceptances! These are hard programs to be admitted to these days.
I hope that you get some responses to this. I suggest that you compare the 2 programs course by course and clinical by clinical to determine whether the additional training is worth it. With the shortages in health care these days, it’s hard to imagine that there would be a difference in success in finding employment although there could be a difference in getting the job you want. Probably best to talk to people who work in the field if you know any.
The health care specialists like PAs are cost savers for hospitals. For example, I have a friend who is a nurse practitioner in a prominent NYC hospital who does a job the doctors used to do. His job promotion came after obtaining his NP degree, but he also had 20 years of intensive care experience. The point is that it’s not just shortages which drive the job market but costs as well. For the first job the 3-year degree might be an advantage for one’s preferred job, but after obtaining experience, it will become less important.
There are PA programs that accept people right out of college and send them into practice after 2 years!!! That is terrifying. I suggest he take whichever program has the most intense academic experience and most hours of clinical training. Neither seems sufficient but I am guessing the longer program will prepare him better, and that he consider taking time to work in clinical practice before starting either.
Good suggestion! So, how does one work in clinical practice before starting to work as a PA? My suggestion is to obtain a CNA certification (Certied Nursing Assistant). This certification actually opens the door to good paying jobs during his time in grad school. This certification doesn’t take a long time to obtain (6 weeks more or less) or require great expense. Depending on the funding, in some cases it’s free.
The other opportunity to factor into cost is that some PA jobs not only come with hiring bonuses but with student loan forgiveness.
If I remember my medical history correctly PA programs evolved to find something clinical for former military medics or paramedics who wanted a more advanced degree. Clinical experience can be as simple as working as an EMT or medical assistant or going through the classical path of working as a paramedic for many years.
I think its interesting that he would be accepted to a PA program without hundreds of hours of medical work. In our state the PA programs are very competitive for admissions and there is an expectation that the student will have worked in some medical capacity during undergraduate if he/she is applying directly out of undergrad. Many kids don’t get in the first time and spend a year building their medical resumes before reapplying.
He absolutely could have - but it is rare for a college student to get the 1000 hours many programs want to see during the last few years of college. That is why for many PA programs kids have to apply 3 times before getting in. It is somewhat unusual for kids in our area to get in right out of college - because they don’t have the experience.
I would speak to students and recent grads from both schools - I would ask how prepared they were when they left the program, employment, strengths and weaknesses of the program etc. PA programs range in length- some are longer than others.
The PANCE first time pass rate in 2024 at Pace (NYC) was 100% and St. John’s was 96%. Both are above the national average of 93%.
1000+ hours can easily be obtained if a college student works full time every summer starting their freshman year. Also, they can get in some hours while they are on winter breaks, as well. Just need to find an employer who supports a student doing this. Some medical offices actually seek out college students specifically to help them get hours for PA and Med school applications.