Physician Assistant Programs in Florida
For residents of Florida looking to pursue a master’s in physician assistant studies (MPAS) program, there are over a dozen on campus programs to choose from. Miami-Dade College to Florida State University, options are available in many areas of the state. Looking to skip the commute to school? There are also several online programs offered by US schools that Florida residents can enroll in. Because there are all of these choices, it can be hard to decide which schools you want to apply to. This guide will help you explore and compare available options, as well as provide tips on what you might want to consider when choosing between schools and program types.
Last Updated: 12/21/20
Online vs On Campus Physician Assistant Programs in Florida
When deciding whether to complete your physician assistant (PA) program in person or online, you should think about what each option might do to accommodate your learning needs. Have trouble staying organized? You might want a program (online or on campus) that keeps you accountable by requiring that you attend live classes each week. Need more flexibility? An asynchronous online program will allow you to complete deliverables whenever works best for you.
Online PA programs may offer you different kinds of added flexibility depending on the kind of program (options are described below). Some of these programs can even do this without forcing you to give up some of the benefits of in person learning, such as in person discussion and collaboration.
Fully Online PA Programs vs Hybrid PA Programs
Aspiring physician assistants can apply to various types of online programs:
Online PA Programs
As the term suggests, an online physician assistant program delivers all courses in an online format. There will be some components of an online program that are completed in person (such as clinical requirements) but these can typically be completed at a site near you. At most, an online program will require you to come to campus just a few times to complete hands-on requirements or just to meet up with your cohort.
Hybrid PA Programs
Some types of online programs are a blend of both the online and on campus experiences – requiring that some courses or parts of some courses be completed in person while other courses are completed online. While there isn’t the same degree of ability to complete all your coursework right at home, there is still added flexibility by not having to spend as much time going to campus, or by having online components require less of a fixed schedule. To complete a hybrid program, you must live close enough to campus to attend in person courses. Since the nature of these programs varies, make sure to check with the schools you are applying to to determine if the structure will work for you.
Florida Physician Assistant Program Online Learning Formats
It is important to consider the delivery format of the coursework when applying to online PA programs. Some programs are considered synchronous, where students have to attend class at a specific time and interact with professors and students through chats or even webcams. There are also asynchronous programs, where students decide what time to view pre recorded lectures and materials based on what works best for them. Each of these formats has its advantages – asynchronous can offer certain flexibilities to those who need it, while synchronous programs provide more opportunities to engage with peers and professors.
How Long do Physician Assistant Programs Take to Complete?
Between two and a half and four years is what those who are not already physician assistants should expect to spend completing a PA program. This time frame includes the clinical components of the degree.
Typical Online Physician Assistant Programs Available to Florida Students
The following online physician assistant programs are available to students in Florida. Note that these are masters program options for students who are not already physician assistants:
Fully online PA programs
If you wish to become a PA, here are eight physician assistant programs that are completely online. Some require you to be online at scheduled times for certain classes, discussions or exams; others do not. Some also require you to be NCCPA certified in order to apply.
| School | Degree level | Live classes | On-campus requirements | Length of program | Accreditation | |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
|
Doctor of science in physician- assistant studies (DScPAS) | No | None | 3 years, but accelerated program is two years | ARC-PA accreditation | |
| Pace University
|
MPAS for already- certified PAs | No | None | 12 months | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| Touro College
|
MPAS for already- certified PAs | No | None | 12 months | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| University of Nebraska – Medical Center
|
MPAS for already-certified PAs, or MPAS/MPH dual | No | None | Five semesters | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley
|
MPAS for already- certified PAs | No | None | 28 months | N/A (program for already certified PAs) | |
| University of Wisconsin – Madison
|
MPAS | Some | First summer semester / 12 weeks | 36 months | ARC-PA accreditation | |
1ARC-PA probation is a temporary accreditation status for programs that are making substantial progress toward all accreditation standards but need more time to become compliant.
2ARC-PA provisional means that a program has the plans and resources needed to meet all accreditation standards but has not yet enrolled students; or that a program is demonstrating progress toward the standards as it prepares for its first graduating class.
Hybrid physician assistant programs
Here are three hybrid physician assistant programs, all of which require a combination of online and on-campus work.
| School | Degree level | Live classes | On-campus requirements | Length of program | Accreditation |
| Miami Dade College
|
MDC-PA, M.H.Sc. | Some | All clinicals are in Florida | 27 months | ARC-PA accreditation |
| University of North Dakota | MPAS | Some | 15 weeks | 24 months | ARC-PA accreditation |
On Campus PA Programs in Florida
The following physician assistant programs can be found on Florida campuses. There are campuses all over the state – Tampa to Miami.
| Program | City | Time to Complete | GPA Requirement |
| Advent Health University | Orlando | 27 months | 3.0 |
| Barry University | Miami Shores | 28 months | 3.0 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers | 27 months | No Minimum |
| Florida International University | Miami | 27 months | 3.0 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | 27 months | 3.0 |
| Gannon University Ruskin | Ruskin | 24 months | Unknown |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | 24 months | 3.2 |
| Miami-Dade College | Miami | 27 months | 3.0 Science |
| Nova Southeastern University | Various | 27 months | 3.0 |
| South University, Tampa | Tampa | 27 months | 3.0 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville | 24 months | 3.0 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa | 24 months | 3.0 |
| University of Tampa | Tampa | 27 months | 3.0 |
General Tips on How to Become a Physician Assistant in Florida
To become a physician assistant in Florida here are some common steps:
- Earn your Physician Assistant Degree – This will take you about two to three and a half years (generally under three years for most Florida programs). Look for physician assistant programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) to ensure you meet certification requirements in the future.
- Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) – You can learn more about the PANCE on our guide to becoming a physician assistant.
- Get Licensed – Check with the Florida Board of Medicine as early as possible to make sure you are on track to meet all current requirements for licensure. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), licensure in Florida requires graduation from an accredited bachelor and physician assistant program and passage of the PANCE exam. It does not require current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). This is a high-level overview, make sure to check out Florida’s state board for exact requirements.