The PA career is one of the fastest-growing professions in the medical field. In Florida, the demand for PAs is expected to increase by 43% over the next 10 years.
Various schools in the state offer a PA program, but choosing from one can be overwhelming.
These schools usually accept applications through the CASPA system, but some also have supplemental admissions. The CASPer health sciences test is also required to strengthen your chances.
Let’s look at the top 5 PA schools in Florida and their requirements.
Interested in learning about the PA Programs of other schools and colleges, finding useful admissions tips, etc? Check out our PA Programs articles here – we cover all major schools!
1. University of Florida
The PA program provided by the University of Florida aims to prepare future PAs in various surgical and medical skills and knowledge. This helps them to give high-quality health care to various patients under a licensed physician.
Admission Requirements/Process
The requirements for the UF PA program include a degree in any field, patient care experience, prerequisite courses, professional references, GRE scores, and a fully completed CASPA application with the UF supplemental application.
You must have a science GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must also submit your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. A CASPA application without this score will be considered incomplete.
The prerequisite courses required are:
- Human anatomy
- General chemistry
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Statistics
- Medical terminology
It is recommended to also have at least 2000 hours of healthcare experience.
Check out the class of 2020’s PA class for a little snapshot into life at this school…
2. Barry University
Barry University’s program allows you to train for the PA role by preparing you for challenges in the healthcare field. You can either study at the Miami campus or at St. Petersburg College’s Pinellas Park campus, but once you apply to either one, transfers are not allowed.
The program will give you skills in evidence-based practice and research medicine so you can deliver healthcare to all.
Admission Requirements/Process
The CASPA application is the only thing needed for admission as there is no university application/supplemental.
You must have a bachelor’s degree in any major of your choice with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prerequisite courses must be completed to a grade of C or higher. The courses are:
- General/Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (Kinesiology, Environmental Engineering, and Exercise Science are not accepted)
- Biological Science
- Behavioral or Social Sciences (Anthropology, Humanities, and Criminology courses are not accepted)
You must have healthcare experience to strengthen your chances of acceptance.
The university also requires you to submit your GRE score and three letters of recommendation. Your GRE score must not be older than 5 years.
For more on the type of learning you do during Barry’s PA Program, check out the video below…
3. South University- Tampa
South University in Tampa offers a Master of Science PA course that teaches necessary medical theories and concepts, which provides you with the skills, behavior, and knowledge to handle patients under a physician.
Admission Requirements/Process
When applying, you must specify which South University campus(es) you want to apply to.
Although the university has a 100% acceptance rate, the admission process is still quite competitive. You must have a bachelor’s degree in any field with a GPA of 3.0. The university asks for the prerequisites to be completed with a GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0).
The courses are:
- Anatomy and physiology
- General biology
- General chemistry and labs
- Microbiology with lab
- Organic chemistry or biochemistry (lab is preferred)
GRE scores and three letters of reference are also required. At least one reference on your application should be from a physician, and preference is given to those with one letter from a PA.
Preference is given to those with community service hours, shadowing a PA, direct patient care, and submitting an essay.
There’s more on this program below…
4. Florida International University
Florida International University gives you the knowledge and skills to be a successful PA anywhere in the nation. The university is among one of the best PA schools in Florida.
Since the school offers a wide range of careers, you will interact with various students to improve healthcare delivery. They provide an environment of clinical advancements, research, and diversity.
Admission Requirements/Process
The admission process is very competitive, as they only admit 45 students into each class. So, you must show your promise and dedication to becoming a PA and meet all the requirements.
You must have proper records of past education, professional letters of recommendation, and a personal goals statement.
You must have a bachelor’s degree in any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with a GRE score, and completion of prerequisite coursework.
The coursework they need is as follows:
- Statistics (business and economics, behavioral and social science, and descriptive statistics)- any 1
- General Chemistry I and lab
- General Chemistry II and Lab
- General Biology and Lab OR Zoology and Lab
- General Microbiology and Lab
- Human Anatomy and Lab
- Intermediate Human Physiology and Lab
- Organic Chemistry I and Lab
- Organic Chemistry II and Lab OR Biochemistry and Lab
- Genetics
Medical terminology courses (online as well) are also accepted and recommended.
It’s advantageous to have direct patient care and hours of shadowing a PA or other medical professionals. Three recommendation letters are also important.
More on FIU’s program below…
5. Gannon University-Ruskin
The PA program provided by Gannon University gives you the convenience of online pointers with traditional classes. The program has an outstanding curriculum that gives you an educational classroom experience through both in-person and online.
The campus has partnered with various placement sites in the Ruskin community, where you can be involved in service learning.
Admission Requirements/Process
You must have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The courses needed for the PA program must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Your course prerequisites must be done within the last ten years.
The prerequisite courses needed are:
- General Chemistry with lab
- Genetics
- Human Anatomy
- Human Anatomy Lab
- Human Physiology
- Human Physiology Lab
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Microbiology Lab
- Medical Terminology
Other recommended courses are:
- An introduction to pharmacology
- Biochemistry
- Cadaver anatomy lab
- Organic chemistry
You are advised to submit official transcripts and your resume. It is beneficial to have 30 hours of volunteer or paid medical work OR 30 hours of shadowing a PA. You will have to provide documentation of this.
The university also asks you to complete an Altus Suite, which is an assessment of non-cognitive skills. This will really strengthen your application!
Check out the video below for more on this school…
More on this program below…
Verosha has been involved in creating content in the healthcare niche for 3 years. She has produced various articles dealing with healthcare, from medications to health careers and education. She devotes her time into producing quality articles that will help people improve their health choices. Verosha lives in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa.