Physical Therapy or PA? Need Help!

[voiddweller]

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I am still chewing on the idea of going to school for PT or PA. This how I have compared and contrasted the professions (I have also done observation work under a few PTs and PA):

PAs generally make more money (in salaried positions PTs median is around 70k while PAs 90k).
PAs have less school. Also, PA schools are less competitive than PT schools.
However, PAs are subordinates to doctors, therefore being an entrepreneur seems out of the questions for PAs.

PTs make less and have more school. However, PTs seem to have more flexibility and with DPT will not be as subordinate to MDs (and this will only get better as time passes). Also, PTs have more freedom towards an entrepreneurial role because they can open their own clinic and are considered seperate entities from MDs, whereas PAs are, well, Physician Assistants.

This is all that I have gathered so far with my limited experience (outside of my normal observational work).

I am not sure what to do. Currently I own an internet marketing company and I am working on my pre-reqs for PT school, but considering PA. Could anyone with more experience in these fields offer advice on my decision? I am an entreprenuer and I am very freedom oriented, yet at the same want to make decent money while helping others.

Any advice will help aid my decision and be very appreciated.

 

[deleted6669]

there are pa run practices out there. a few pa's hire a supervising md for a few thousand dollars a month to review charts(not see pts) and bingo, pa run practice.also when you say pt's have more education consider that most pa's have a bs before pa school and other prior clinical training as well(rn, medic, r.t., etc)
my academic path to pa took 9 years of school( bs#1=4, 1 yr medic school, 3 yr pa program, 1 yr masters in em), more than a dpt(8) and I am a fairly typical older pa. the prereqs are fairly similar for both programs however pa school generally requires prior clinical experience, so if you don't have any it is easier to go p.t.
as a pa you get a dea # and prescriptive rights in 48 states(soon to be 50). no rx rights as a p.t.
as a pa you can change specialty as often as you like without additional time in school. just a few things to think about......
also many specialty pa's make a lot more than 90k.....

 

[voiddweller]

I appreciate your advice. I've seen most PA degrees are only two year programs, while DPT takes 3 years. I can see what you are saying though, since most DPT only require about 100 hours of observational experience. How do you like your job?

 

[voiddweller]

Oh, I forgot to mention DPT must have B.S. prior to program as well. PT and PA pre-reqs are about the same.

 

[Skialta]

Don't forget that as a PT all of your referrals come from MDs, not exactly as independent as you thought. I think most places still have a significant good old boys club. The other piece of the "open your own clinic pie" is that you have to get onto insurance provider pannels, also something that is not as easy as it sounds, and collecting from insurance companies another story entirely. If you really are into owning your own practice then maybe PT, but I would take a good look at the market and what niche you might serve before I threw down the money for a DPT. I think the safe bet would be PA, but I am biased.

 

[deleted6669]

Oh, I forgot to mention DPT must have B.S. prior to program as well. PT and PA pre-reqs are about the same.

the majority of pa programs are now taught at the masters level. even those folks who get a bs usually go on to get an ms later through one of the post grad completion programs.

"How do you like your job?"-

I have a great job with great colleagues, an exceptional scope of practice and a salary better than many primary care physicians with no overhead and no call and I can work 16 days of my choosing/month.....

 

[lawguil]

I appreciate your advice. I've seen most PA degrees are only two year programs, while DPT takes 3 years. I can see what you are saying though, since most DPT only require about 100 hours of observational experience. How do you like your job?

Just a little insight from my perspective. The "DPT" isn't more training than a PA. PT school is three years. At the program that I teach it is 7 semesters of work (meaning you have two summers off or 28 months of training). PA school is 24-28 months year round schooling and PA's have some type of significant clinical experience/work before going to PA school. Both are really Bachelors level education. For many of years, entry level for PT was a BS. It has recently changed to adjust to the current political climate. Despite what they call it ("clinical doctorate"), it is still a PT - the same PT training when it was offered at the BS level.

"However, PTs seem to have more flexibility and with DPT will not be as subordinate to MDs (and this will only get better as time passes)."

The APTA is putting forth a dirty fight to gain "real" direct access. Currently, many states already have direct access, but insurance companies will not pay unless you have a referral from MD/DO/PA/NP. Again, the whole reasoning for changing the degree name is for direct access, reimbursement, efforts to gain more autonomy, and respect. However, the APTA is doing this without changing the educational requirements of PT's. What I mean is they lack significant medical training and are only experts at neuromusculoskelital conditions. Surely there training has changed, but it has nothing to do with calling themselves doctors. It simply has to do with changing the education to meet current demands just as every field and academic degree program have done.
Both PA and PT receive equally good educations for what they do. PA training involves more invasive training and deal with more fragile situations. PT receives more NMS and requires helping people with your hands. I think most tend to consider PA's a little higher on the food chain, but maybe that’s just me.

 

[voiddweller]

I truly appreciate your help. Now I am seriously considering PA school. Now I have a few questions about the best way to get in. Luckily, I am not too far into DPT pre-reqs where I will waste too much time.

"PA school is 24-28 months year round schooling and PA's have some type of significant clinical experience/work before going to PA school."

What do you mean by clinical experience? Do you have any suggestions for me on how to do this? My only previous experience is observational work, which is around 100 hours. I am changing careers so my background is IT. I've seen that some programs require observational work under PAs in various settings. How competitive are the PA programs? Also, how flexible is PA as a career overseas such as Asia?

Does it matter which program I go into? There is a PA Emory program here, which is very expensive, and a cheaper program from Medical College of Georgia.

Again, I appreciate your help and you haved cleared many things up for me!

 

[voiddweller]

emedpa - Did you need to go to 1 year of medic school to get into a PA program? What do you suggest for me to get into a PA school? Thanks again!

 

[lawguil]

I truly appreciate your help. Now I am seriously considering PA school. Now I have a few questions about the best way to get in. Luckily, I am not too far into DPT pre-reqs where I will waste too much time.

"PA school is 24-28 months year round schooling and PA's have some type of significant clinical experience/work before going to PA school."

What do you mean by clinical experience? Do you have any suggestions for me on how to do this? My only previous experience is observational work, which is around 100 hours. I am changing careers so my background is IT. I've seen that some programs require observational work under PAs in various settings. How competitive are the PA programs? Also, how flexible is PA as a career overseas such as Asia?

Does it matter which program I go into? There is a PA Emory program here, which is very expensive, and a cheaper program from Medical College of Georgia.

Again, I appreciate your help and you haved cleared many things up for me!

Clinical Experience? I would become an EMT as quickly as possible if I were in your shoes. Most programs require practical experience working with patients and the EMT experience will fill this requirement. Further, you'll learn a lot and have an opportunity to help people in a capacity that many others never experience. There are others and include respitory therapy, physical therapy, athletic training, paramedic, other technicians, nursing, ect. The rest don't seem to be practical in your situation. Understand that having a current career and education that isn't suitable to you works in your favor. You'll be able to draw from your experiences and there's also something genuine about being successful and throwing in the towel for something more rewarding to you. Your observational work will also work strongly in your favor.
Does it matter what program I get into? as far as education - probably not much! It will matter with respect to cost and which program will best meet your personal needs (living situation, location, rural vs urban ect) I would look into the programs that you are interested in and visit the schools. Offer to take a couple of current students out to lunch and ask all kinds of questions. Try to get a feel for the program.

Overseas work? I don't know much about this.
Good luck, L.

 

[lawguil]

How competitive are the PA programs?

I would say that PA school is competitive, but if you have all the ingredients such as previous medical experience/career, the pre-reqs., genuine desire and understanding of the profession, and decent grades, you'll be a strong candidate.

 

[voiddweller]

Again, I appreciate the time you are taking out of your day to give me great advice. How long does it take to complete an EMT certification, and how much do they generally get paid when they start fresh?

What makes this transition hard is that I am almost 28 y/o and coming out of an IT field. I have a B.S. in psychology with a 3.7 cumm gpa, which should help I am sure. As for my current pre-req classes, so far I have made A's in them all, but I sure as hell study my ass off to get those grades!

 

[lawguil]

Again, I appreciate the time you are taking out of your day to give me great advice. How long does it take to complete an EMT certification, and how much do they generally get paid when they start fresh?

What makes this transition hard is that I am almost 28 y/o and coming out of an IT field. I have a B.S. in psychology with a 3.7 cumm gpa, which should help I am sure. As for my current pre-req classes, so far I have made A's in them all, but I sure as hell study my ass off to get those grades!

The average age of a PA student is probably about 28-30. Obviously your gpa will not be an issue! I think you are well on your way.

I'm not sure how long an EMT course is exactly. Depending on how it is structured you should be able to complete it within a month or less! The pay for an EMT isn't great if you get paid at all. You might have to volunteer for awhile! Im sure others can answer this better. L.

 

[ockhamsRzr]

The average age of a PA student is probably about 28-30. Obviously your gpa will not be an issue! I think you are well on your way.

I'm not sure how long an EMT course is exactly. Depending on how it is structured you should be able to complete it within a month or less! The pay for an EMT isn't great if you get paid at all. You might have to volunteer for awhile! Im sure others can answer this better. L.

EMT-B course length is mandated by each state. In Massachusetts my course (through Northeastern Univ) was 12 weeks, 3 days a week, 3 hours a day and 4 all day saturdays. The skills and exams were a cakewalk, but the mandatory attendance broke a few people's backs. I think my course was something like 150 hours.

Ock

 

[voiddweller]

Wow, I looked up EMT for my state and the minimum is 20 weeks 5 days a week! http://www.medixschool.com/medix-emt.htm

I will look around a bit more.

One more thing: About demand and future prospects along with job security. How do all these aspects of PA look in the future? Also, are the jobs vast enough that allow you flexibility to live pretty much anywhere you want?

Thanks again!

 

[lawguil]

Wow, I looked up EMT for my state and the minimum is 20 weeks 5 days a week! http://www.medixschool.com/medix-emt.htm

I will look around a bit more.

One more thing: About demand and future prospects along with job security. How do all these aspects of PA look in the future? Also, are the jobs vast enough that allow you flexibility to live pretty much anywhere you want?

Thanks again!

Sorry I miss-spoke about the length of training for EMT. Check out this link. It has information about job outlook and growth for PA's (as well as other helpful information).

http://www.aapa.org/glance.html

 

[voiddweller]

There is one thing I am not clear about. What is the difference b/w an EMT and a Paramedic? A Paramedic is basically the highest level EMT correct?

 

[deleted6669]

emedpa - Did you need to go to 1 year of medic school to get into a PA program? What do you suggest for me to get into a PA school? Thanks again!

yup-when I went to pa school the majority of applicants were medics(emt-p), rn's, or resp. therapists

 

[deleted6669]

There is one thing I am not clear about. What is the difference b/w an EMT and a Paramedic? A Paramedic is basically the highest level EMT correct?

emt-basic 120 hrs or so
emt-intermediate another 500 hrs or so
emt-paramedic 1200 hrs + after emt-b(generally 1-2 yrs)
emedpa, pa-c, emt-p

 

[voiddweller]

You all have been a great help! I am actually going to look into a PA program in the Army. Originally, I was going to go into the Army Baylor PT program, which is #5 in the nation. They pay you to go to school, and you only incur 4 years of service after you finish school. It's pretty hard to turn down such a deal. I don't know if they have the same program for PA but I wouldn't doubt it. Thanks again!

 

[uhapt]

Become an orthopidest, PT and PA are ok, but with the DPT you will learn so much that by your seventh year you might say, "you know I should have become an orthopod" thats how I feel anyhow.

 

[voiddweller]

emt-basic 120 hrs or so
emt-intermediate another 500 hrs or so
emt-paramedic 1200 hrs + after emt-b(generally 1-2 yrs)
emedpa, pa-c, emt-p

I forgot to ask you emdpa. Did you get a paramedic or an emt-i cert? Did you have prior med experience before your cert, or did you start your med career after your cert? How much did you work as a paramed/emt before you applied to a PA program?

I am sorry for bombarding you with questions, but I appreciate your helpful replies!

 

[deleted6669]

I forgot to ask you emdpa. Did you get a paramedic or an emt-i cert? Did you have prior med experience before your cert, or did you start your med career after your cert? How much did you work as a paramed/emt before you applied to a PA program?

I am sorry for bombarding you with questions, but I appreciate your helpful replies!

emt-basic in high school senior year. worked as an er tech through college 24 hrs/week during the yr and full time during the summers. entered paramedic school 1 month after getting my bs degreee and continued full time work as an er tech until I started my field preceptorship. before I started work as a pa I had 5 yrs as an er tech and 5 yrs as a paramedic.

 

[guetzow]

You don't have to sock away 7 years like Mr "hindsight is 20-20" DPT guy. And....you can refer to PT's 😀

 

[lawguil]

Become an orthopidest, PT and PA are ok, but with the DPT you will learn so much that by your seventh year you might say, "you know I should have become an orthopod" thats how I feel anyhow.

PT is orthopod less the training in medicine and surgery. Basically a huge difference!

By the way, the DPT is the same thing as PT. Being in a "clinical doctorate" program you are learning the same information at the same volumes in the same amount of time as somebody in a masters or in a BS program when it existed.

 

[lawguil]

You don't have to sock away 7 years like Mr "hindsight is 20-20" DPT guy. And....you can refer to PT's 😀

Well said! PA school is the perfect balance of education and autonomy with extraordinary opportunities and latitude. Unfortunately, many don't realize it until after medical school.

 

[voiddweller]

emt-basic in high school senior year. worked as an er tech through college 24 hrs/week during the yr and full time during the summers. entered paramedic school 1 month after getting my bs degreee and continued full time work as an er tech until I started my field preceptorship. before I started work as a pa I had 5 yrs as an er tech and 5 yrs as a paramedic.

Well emedpa, you certainly knew what you wanted to do when you were very young. I envy you my friend. At minimum, how many hours as an emt should I work to be competitive for pretty much any MPA program? Do you have any other suggestions to be competitive?

I am curious about the level of competition b/w MPA and DPT programs, at least in a general sense. I would think DPT is more competitive because the programs seem to be advertized more and the field is more well known, but I may be wrong.

 

[uhapt]

PT is orthopod less the training in medicine and surgery. Basically a huge difference!

By the way, the DPT is the same thing as PT. Being in a "clinical doctorate" program you are learning the same information at the same volumes in the same amount of time as somebody in a masters or in a BS program when it existed.

First the DPT is not the same as PT, an MSPT program is different than DPT, (more radiology, research and neuro). I'm currently involved in the DPT structuring at UofH. No one doubts the rate of the program, it is its eventual length that is in question. A PT and an ortho are different but they do share similarities, it should be considered as a choice in this persons decision making. Maybe factors such as lenght of education, cost of education and eventual salary are involved. Anyway, this is my opinion, at this point I'am at 20-20 so I can share a bit of my advice. As far as recommending being a PA thats not in my scope.

 

[uhapt]

PT is orthopod less the training in medicine and surgery. Basically a huge difference!

By the way, the DPT is the same thing as PT. Being in a "clinical doctorate" program you are learning the same information at the same volumes in the same amount of time as somebody in a masters or in a BS program when it existed.

Oh yeah, the PT program has a huge medicine portion, we are tought to Dx without diagnostics, we are tested on many different pathologies. We are expected to have extensive pharm. knowledge and we are expected to know and understand most of the procedures currently used by ortho's. Just a question what is your occupation or student status?

 

[deleted6669]

Well emedpa, you certainly knew what you wanted to do when you were very young. I envy you my friend. At minimum, how many hours as an emt should I work to be competitive for pretty much any MPA program? Do you have any other suggestions to be competitive?

I am curious about the level of competition b/w MPA and DPT programs, at least in a general sense. I would think DPT is more competitive because the programs seem to be advertized more and the field is more well known, but I may be wrong.

1000 HRS WOULD GET YOU INTO MANY PROGRAMS. 10,000 HRS WOULD GET YOU INTO ESSENTIALLY ALL PROGRAMS( SOME AVG 8000+ HRS).
THERE ARE 140 PA PROGRAMS NOW AND FAR FEWER DPT PROGRAMS SO DPT PROGRAMS WOULD BE MORE COMPETITIVE

 

[voiddweller]

1000 HRS WOULD GET YOU INTO MANY PROGRAMS. 10,000 HRS WOULD GET YOU INTO ESSENTIALLY ALL PROGRAMS( SOME AVG 8000+ HRS).
THERE ARE 140 PA PROGRAMS NOW AND FAR FEWER DPT PROGRAMS SO DPT PROGRAMS WOULD BE MORE COMPETITIVE

Why is it that there are more PA programs?

 

[voiddweller]

Oh yeah, the PT program has a huge medicine portion, we are tought to Dx without diagnostics, we are tested on many different pathologies. We are expected to have extensive pharm. knowledge and we are expected to know and understand most of the procedures currently used by ortho's. Just a question what is your occupation or student status?

uhapt, I am currently just working on pre-reqs and have a B.S. in psych. I own an internet marketing business, and my background is IT. I am basically changing careers completely. The IT business is not very rewarding or interesting, and jobs like mine (search engine optimization, internet marketing, web design and development, et cetera) are being outsourced in massive quantities to India and even South America. I have always loved the medical field, but I was kind of guided into the IT field after high school because the money was easily earned and it required little formal education (besides tech skills, which you can learn at home). I realize now is the time to make a change and actually try to live my life instead of staring at a computer screen all day and creating bad posture.

 

[deleted6669]

"Why is it that there are more PA programs?"

greater need. pa's work as primary care providers in many underserved communities(rural, inner city, prisons, va, etc) that can not attract a doc, as well as in urban and suburban settings.
p.t. is more of a niche/specialty market for a few groups of pts( work comp injuries, wealthy/athletes, older stroke/rehab type pts).
everyone needs a primary care provider. not everyone needs a physical therapist. when most pts get a cervical strain they go to their regular provider and only see p.t. after standard conservative medical measures have failed.for example between my wife and myself we have only seen p.t. for 1 issue in our lives; my wife's p.t. after knee surgery, but we see a regular provider several times/year each for routine medical issues.more need =more providers needed.

 

[lawguil]

Oh yeah, the PT program has a huge medicine portion, we are tought to Dx without diagnostics, we are tested on many different pathologies. We are expected to have extensive pharm. knowledge and we are expected to know and understand most of the procedures currently used by ortho's. Just a question what is your occupation or student status?

I teach DPT and AT students. Just a little insight, they are the same. We recently made the transition from MSPT to DPT. Difference: Pharm course (same course AT students take in undergraduate program), an additional 3 credits of research (doesn't even compare to a thesis, more of a course to help students critique research and go through the motions of writing a thesis (undergrad AT students take this same course and actually take 3 credits more in research than DPT students), more clinical rotations than the MSPT = basically means more money and an inflated degree! PT students have three years to complete the credits for the "DPT" and AT student essentially have four (usually five) to complete the AT credits along with the general education credits for an undergrad degree. PT's use to do this in the good old days when becoming a PT made sense fiscally!

Understand that I'm not slamming the PT training because it is top notch training. I have more of a problem with the mandates the APTA has put on education (mandating educational institutions award PT's clinical doctorates) and the sneaky political stabbing they do. If you only understand the programs from a students perspective and never experienced the BSPT to the MSPT to the bogus DPT, I wouldn't expect you to understand. Just my experience! L.

 

[lawguil]

I teach DPT and AT students. Just a little insight, they are the same. We recently made the transition from MSPT to DPT. Difference: Pharm course (same course AT students take in undergraduate program), an additional 3 credits of research (doesn't even compare to a thesis, more of a course to help students critique research and go through the motions of writing a thesis (undergrad AT students take this same course and actually take 3 credits more in research than DPT students), more clinical rotations than the MSPT = basically means more money and an inflated degree! PT students have three years to complete the credits for the "DPT" and AT student essentially have four (usually five) to complete the AT credits along with the general education credits for an undergrad degree. PT's use to do this in the good old days when becoming a PT made sense fiscally!

Understand that I'm not slamming the PT training because it is top notch training. I have more of a problem with the mandates the APTA has put on education (mandating educational institutions award PT's clinical doctorates) and the sneaky political stabbing they do. If you only understand the programs from a students perspective and never experienced the BSPT to the MSPT to the bogus DPT, I wouldn't expect you to understand. Just my experience! L.

Oh yea, they also added more training in radiology. We actually added this when it was a MSPT program though. The changes that I have mentioned are very subtle. These are changes that take place in any degree program so that the training meets the current demands of the field/profession/educational standards. Teacher training, nursing education, Athletic training, engineering, ect have all experienced the need for new courses or changes in the education to remain current (or to be complient with government mandates in the case of teacher training), but they didn't suddenly decide to award teachers with a fabricated degree such as a clinical doctorate. The "clinical doctorates" have become extremely popular in the allied health professions for the purpose of politics, not education!

If I put the markings of a BMW on a chevy, people who don't know anything about cars would drive it and believe it. People who know the cars wouldn't buy it for a second. This is the case with clinical doctorates. It's nothing more than a label. Now if you have spent 70k for a BMW that you're prouder than hell about it and somebody tells you its just a chevy, you're going to defend it. I would too!

 

[uhapt]

Oh yea, they also added more training in radiology. We actually added this when it was a MSPT program though. The changes that I have mentioned are very subtle. These are changes that take place in any degree program so that the training meets the current demands of the field/profession/educational standards. Teacher training, nursing education, Athletic training, engineering, ect have all experienced the need for new courses or changes in the education to remain current (or to be complient with government mandates in the case of teacher training), but they didn't suddenly decide to award teachers with a fabricated degree such as a clinical doctorate. The "clinical doctorates" have become extremely popular in the allied health professions for the purpose of politics, not education!

If I put the markings of a BMW on a chevy, people who don't know anything about cars would drive it and believe it. People who know the cars wouldn't buy it for a second. This is the case with clinical doctorates. It's nothing more than a label. Now if you have spent 70k for a BMW that you're prouder than hell about it and somebody tells you its just a chevy, you're going to defend it. I would too!

Call it what you will, I was trying to distinguish the difference between DPT and MSPT and how if by some chance the original author of this thread was considering a health care profession she might want to consider spending four years in med school instead of three in a DPT program. The fact is that they are similarities and differences, but in my opinion it might be more rewarding to be an ortho than a PT after such a tremendous education process! My opinion and thats what I'm offering, just another way option for the author!

 

[voiddweller]

1000 HRS WOULD GET YOU INTO MANY PROGRAMS. 10,000 HRS WOULD GET YOU INTO ESSENTIALLY ALL PROGRAMS( SOME AVG 8000+ HRS).
THERE ARE 140 PA PROGRAMS NOW AND FAR FEWER DPT PROGRAMS SO DPT PROGRAMS WOULD BE MORE COMPETITIVE

Should I become certified in EMT-i, or should I go ahead and take the full year paramedic certification even though I have no previous medical experience? I assume paramedics are paid more. What would you suggest emdpa?

 

[deleted6669]

to get into either emt-i or emt-p you have to be an emt-basic for 6 months to a yr first. medic is a better bet as it is more universally recognized(some states don't use emt-i) and of course it pays better.

 

[MJFPT]

I think both professions are respectable and rewarding. They are very different in the scope of practice and approach to patient care. I am a PT with my Master's and I absolutely love it, I work very closely with PA's and can see why they enjoy their jobs but they are VERY different at least in the outpatient ortho setting that I am in. I think that the idea of whether one or the other is better depends on the persons own individual preferences. Shadowing both in a couple of different settings is really the only way to actually see what the day to day job duties include. If a person decides which one is better for them then the amount of schooling may not be as big of a factor. As for the DPT degree, it does seem that it really only involves two or three extra classes in radiology, pharmacology, and differential diagnoses, but can you blame a profession for trying to advance to a new level. I do think that the level of education for PT's warrants them to be at least at the same level as Chiropractor's when it comes to having 'direct access' to muskuloskeletal problems.

 

[voiddweller]

What are some of the good PA schools in the U.S.? I live in georgia, but I am willing to go anywhere to go to school.

 

[deleted6669]

What are some of the good PA schools in the U.S.? I live in georgia, but I am willing to go anywhere to go to school.

emory has a program right near you that is excellent. on the east coast look at stony brook, george wa univ., drexel, pcom, duke, rutgers/umdnj, une(maine), for a good start. there are others of course.140 in all now.
see www.aapa.org for links to all programs in the student section
see www.physicianassociate.com for another pa related forum
see www.appap.org for info on optional pa residencies

 

[voiddweller]

emory has a program right near you that is excellent. on the east coast look at stony brook, george wa univ., drexel, pcom, duke, rutgers/umdnj, une(maine), for a good start. there are others of course.140 in all now.
see www.aapa.org for links to all programs in the student section
see www.physicianassociate.com for another pa related forum
see www.appap.org for info on optional pa residencies

As usual you have been a great help emedpa. I appreciate your help, along with everyone else's help!

 

[voiddweller]

Do you forsee the MPA programs eventually converting to DPA (doctorate physician assistant) anytime soon, thus increasing length of program and pre-req requirements? If so, how long does a change like this usually take?

 

[nebrfan]

Do you forsee the MPA programs eventually converting to DPA (doctorate physician assistant) anytime soon, thus increasing length of program and pre-req requirements? If so, how long does a change like this usually take?

I think you'll see a DRT (Doctorate of Respiratory Therapy) before you see a DPA

 

[deleted6669]

I think you'll see a DRT (Doctorate of Respiratory Therapy) before you see a DPA

don't be so sure...
nova southeastern already has a dr of health sciences(dhsc) that they target mostly at postgrad pa's.
western michigan has a dr of interdisciplinary health sciences(phd) that caters to postgrad pa's looking for a doctorate.
I think over the next 10 yrs several postgrad doctorate programs for pa's will open up but I don't see the entry level degree going to dpa anytime soon. I think it will be mostly for those who want to get a postgrad degree to teach as pa faculty, do research, or work in hospital admin positions.

 

[wannabeapharm]

Guys, I too am thinking about becoming a PA..I have been thinkng about Healthcare for a while. I am fresh outta college and working on my MBA which I will finish in Aug 2006. I plan to begin on pre reqs for PA school
BUT my under grad gpa was bad. I have a 2.7 undergrad gpa and dont know if that will hurt me. So far my MBA gpa is a 3.5 and I plan to maintain that at least.
The science courses I took in undergrad were Bio I (B) Bio II (B)
Geology (D) **which I didnt need to take and found this out too late

Also,there is a school in Savannah called Southern Univ which has a PA but its program is about 50k total

Emory Univ is expensive as well
Seems liek I dont have a shot to get into a school
I work in IT and need to get out of this field

Any ideas..please help me

 

[DropkickMurphy]

DRT (Doctorate of Respiratory Therapy)

Nothing like taking a voc-tech career field and turning it into doctoral level education. I wonder how much brainwashing will be involved with that one.... 🙄 🙄

 

[deleted6669]

Nothing like taking a voc-tech career field and turning it into doctoral level education. I wonder how much brainwashing will be involved with that one.... 🙄 🙄

would make for some interesting doctoral dissertations though:
1.suctioning trachs, how to make it fun....
2.nebulizer tx, the untold secret of why this requires a degree and no one else can do it
3. peak flows getting you down?
4. aerochamber of horrors
5. she's a brick house, she m.d.i., m.d.i., lettin it all hang out

 

[voiddweller]

Right now I am taking my pre-reqs at a University. I am considering taking the rest at a community college up the street. Do you think that PA programs will care whether or not I take my pre-reqs at a university or a C.C.?

 

[deleted6669]

Right now I am taking my pre-reqs at a University. I am considering taking the rest at a community college up the street. Do you think that PA programs will care whether or not I take my pre-reqs at a university or a C.C.?

C.C. is fine, just get good grades