How can you tell which PA schools in Alabama are the best?
If you’re just starting to look into PA school, it can be difficult to understand what to look for, especially if you’re unfamiliar with this field.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about the best PA schools in Alabama, including:
- Top-ranked programs
- Educational requirements, and
- Career outlooks
This is to help you make an informed decision about your future career path.
How do I become a PA in Alabama?
In order to become a physician assistant, you must first earn an accredited bachelor’s degree.
Ideally, you’ll go to college and major in a subject related to health or science; any pre-med coursework will also be helpful.
However, if your previous education does not qualify you for entry into medical school, then you may want to consider becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and obtaining an associate’s degree instead.
Physician Assistant Education Requirements
To get admitted into any of the PA schools in Alabama, you should achieve certain prerequisites such as;
- Having A Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4-point scale)
- Having a Baccalaureate degree from a college or university that holds institutional accreditation.
- Having a Minimum of C letter grade in all prerequisite courses from an institutionally accredited college or university within the United States.
List of the Best PA schools in Alabama
- Faulkner University
- University of South Alabama PA Program
- University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham PA Program
- Samford University PA Program
Faulkner University
Faulkner University is one of the best PA Schools in Alabama with a focus on health care and has been providing quality education to students in North Alabama since 1835.
In addition to being ranked as one of the best colleges and universities in Alabama, Faulkner also offers many specialized programs including physician assistant, nursing, and medical laboratory sciences.
The university is highly regarded by those working within these fields, who appreciate its active engagement with regional healthcare organizations.
Students at Faulkner University can enjoy a close-knit campus atmosphere while studying hands-on subjects such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
Studying and working with physicians from nearby hospitals provides additional opportunities to build on existing knowledge as well as apply classroom studies to real-world situations.
Contact details:
Address: 5345 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109
Phone: 334-386-7332
Mail: lbanks@faulkner.edu
University of South Alabama PA Program
The University of South Alabama is one of the Physician Assistant schools in Alabama that offers a Master’s Program in Physician Assistant studies.
Graduates of USC’s PA program can apply to a number of master’s programs at Alabama universities that accept international applicants.
It takes about two years to earn a master’s in PA studies after graduating from an undergraduate program.
Contact details:
Address: 5721 USA Drive North, HAHN 3124, Mobile, AL 36688
Phone: 251-445-9334
Mail: pastudies@southalabama.edu
University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham PA Program
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a nationally recognized university with over 17,000 students. The UAB PA Program has trained many top PAs who are now working as healthcare professionals.
With a 96% pass rate on their national exams, it’s no wonder PA students of UAB feel that they got a great education there, which makes them attractive to employers.
PA programs at UAB are run by instructors with real-world experience as practicing physicians and pharmacists who understand what PAs actually do on a day-to-day basis and what employers need from graduates.
In fact, most PA faculty members were also graduates of PA programs themselves!
Contact details:
Address: 1720 2nd Avenue South, SHPB 482 Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: 205-975-4237
Mail: Askcds@uab.edu
Samford University PA Program
Samford University is one of the accredited PA schools in Alabama.
Located in Birmingham, Samford University’s PA program serves as a top choice among physical assistant schools in AL and has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
For those that are considering PA school and are interested in attending medical school, Samford University serves as an ideal starting point on your journey toward becoming a physician or physician assistant someday.
Contact details: 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229
Phone: 205-726-2611
Mail: mwcarter@samford.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are PA programs?
The length of your program depends on how quickly you learn and whether you have prior medical experience. For example, most programs require at least a two-year commitment. If you’re coming into school with a bachelor’s degree or higher and relevant background, however, some schools will give you credit for those previous courses—meaning your program could be as short as one year long.
Is PA school harder to get into than med school?
It is definitely tougher to get into a medical school than it is to get into physician assistant school. Most people don’t even apply because they think they are not smart enough, or cannot get good enough grades.
Conclusion
Becoming a Physician Assistant is an incredible career choice, most physicians make about $105,389 yearly. But you need to attend any of the accredited PA schools in Alabama to get started.
Check out our education home page to get more exciting programs.
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