Physician Assistant Programs in Nevada
Nevada has two on campus programs available for aspiring physician assistants – Touro University, Nevada and the University of Nevada, Reno. Nevada is a large state – an applicant to these programs may not live within commuting distance to one of these programs. For those who are looking for a program that allows them to stay in state and increases the options they have for a reasonable commute, there are several online programs that applicants can consider, which allow them to complete much of their degree from the comfort of home. This guide will help you understand what your options are so that you can evaluate which programs you want to apply to.
Online PA Programs vs On-Campus Programs in Nevada
When evaluating physician assistant programs and which are best for you, you will likely have certain factors that you weigh more heavily than others due to your own unique circumstances. The type of program that may allow one student to complete a degree to the best of their ability may not be the best fit for another. With on campus programs, for example, some may value the classroom environment as a place that is rid of distractions as they learn the course material. For others, getting to campus regularly might be challenging, meaning that an online program is the only kind of program that they could feasibly add to their mix or responsibilities. Additionally, the comfort of home may be a better learning environment for some students. So, think about your learning style and your schedule as you start narrowing down your list of physician assistant schools to apply to.
Last Updated: 7/28/21
On Campus PA Programs in Nevada
Touro University, Nevada and the University of Nevada, Reno are your two on campus options for attending PA school in the state of Nevada. The delivery of these programs is likely familiar to you – students go to campus to attend class regularly in order to earn their degree. When it comes time for clinical placements, they typically report to a local placement site to gain real life field experience.
For those who want more options or a different kind of experience altogether, there are online physician assistant programs that they can apply to. With online programs, students may be able to stay local as they complete much of their degree virtually.
Online PA Programs
Online programs allow for the convenience of attending class from wherever you are because they are delivered virtually. You are likely to save a good amount of commute time because you won’t be travelling to and from campus. For some, convenience isn’t the only reason that an online program is the best fit for them – they may also just learn better from the comfort of home. If a student needs maximum flexibility or has an erratic schedule, they may want to consider what are called asynchronous online programs, which allow them to attend class at a time most convenient for them, rather than at a set class time.
Even the most flexible online program will likely require you to complete in person clinical experiences at a placement site – you simply need real world experience under your belt to become a physician assistant. If you are considering online programs, you should ask schools about how they might be able to place you at a clinical site local to you, and how much help they can offer in securing such a placement.
Hybrid PA Programs in Nevada
A hybrid program splits coursework requirements between campus and online. This kind of program is not currently being offered on any Nevada campuses.
Physician Assistant Program Online Learning Formats
There are two ways online programs can be delivered – asynchronously or synchronously. You may find that the programs you are interested in utilize both of these delivery methods:
- Synchronous – students log on at a specific time to complete a class or deliverable in a live, interactive format
- Asynchronous – students log in on their own time to complete a prerecorded or otherwise not live deliverable or class
How Long do Physician Assistant Programs in Nevada Typically Take to Complete?
A master’s in physician assistant studies (MPAS) may take as little as two years or as much as four years or more to complete (PA programs are approximately 27 months, according to American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)). If you are already a PA who was licensed when a master’s was not required, the unaccredited bridge programs you may enroll in may take less time to complete.
Online Physician Assistant Programs Available to Nevada Students
The following online physician assistant programs may be available to students in Nevada. Note that some of these options are bridge programs for current PAs:
| 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 Nevada
The following physician assistant programs can be found on Nevada campuses.
| Program | City | Time to Complete | GPA Requirement |
| Touro University, Nevada | Henderson | 28 months | 3.0 |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Reno | 25 months | 2.75 |
General Tips on How to Become a Physician Assistant in Nevada
To become a physician assistant in Nevada, here are some common steps. Be sure to check with the state licensing agency for specific state requirements:
- Earn your Physician Assistant Degree – This will take you about two to three and a half years. 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 Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners 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 Nevada requires graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the PANCE exam. Current certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is not required. This is a high-level overview, make sure to check out Nevada’s state board for exact requirements.