Physician Assistant Programs in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has just one on campus physician assistant (PA) program offered in the state – at Franklin Pierce University. Those applying to schools often want to apply to several schools to maximize their chances of getting into a program. Luckily, for those who want to study in the state of New Hampshire, there are also several online programs that students can apply to. Online programs offer students several benefits, including slashing commute time and the convenience of learning from the comfort of home. This guide will go over the different types of physician assistant programs that New Hampshire residents have access to so that you can start thinking about what kind of program is best for you.
Online PA Programs vs On-Campus Programs in New Hampshire
When thinking about which physician assistant programs you should apply to, you may want to consider your own circumstances, schedule, and learning style. The programs that are best for you may not be the same programs that are best for another student. Some questions you might ask yourself in order to determine what is best for you include the following:
Where do I learn best? Do I need to be in a physical classroom to maintain focus? Are there distractions at home that will make it harder for me to pay attention during class? Is it easier for me to learn from the comfort of my own living room or study?
How will I get to class? Are there campuses nearby that are easy to commute to? Do I have reliable means of transportation? Do I have time to commute to campus for class?
What does my schedule look like? Am I fitting a PA degree into a life already full of responsibilities? Am I able to attend class at the same time every week? Am I available during typical class times or will I need access to class during unusual hours?
Last Updated: 7/28/21
On Campus PA Programs in New Hampshire
As mentioned before, the only on campus physician assistant program available within New Hampshire’s borders is at Franklin Pierce University. The on campus program experience is likely familiar to anyone who attended class on a campus to earn a bachelor’s degree. Courses are held in classrooms, and students are able to meet up with their peers and professors easily in person. For clinical requirements, students often go to placement sites in the local community to gain the real world experience that they need in order to become licensed.
For those who are looking for a different kind of program or more flexibility, online programs are something to consider.
Online PA Programs
Online programs are delivered digitally and therefore allow students to attend class from wherever they are located – a necessary convenience for some. The saved commuting time may allow students to better fit earning a PA degree into a life that would otherwise be too busy for the possibility. There are online programs that offer even more than this base level of flexibility – including options that allow you to attend pre recorded lectures on your own time. Some students do not need the flexibility of an online degree but may find that learning from the comfort of home is still a better fit for them.
No matter what kind of online PA degree program you choose, you will still need to complete clinical requirements in person at a placement site. Some online programs may be able to secure a placement site in your own community with varying degrees of your help. Make sure to ask the online programs that you are interested in what help they can offer you in securing a placement site, and whether these requirements can be completed in your own community.
Hybrid PA Programs in New Hampshire
A hybrid program splits coursework requirements between campus and online. This kind of program is not currently being offered on any New Hampshire campuses.
Physician Assistant Program Online Learning Formats
Online program classes and components can be delivered either asynchronously or synchronously. Some programs will utilize both forms of delivery:
- Synchronous – courses are attended in real time, potentially through live video streaming. Everyone logs on and interacts.
- Asynchronous – students attend class or complete other activities on their own time.
How Long do Physician Assistant Programs in New Hampshire Typically Take to Complete?
A master’s in physician assistant studies (MPAS) may take anywhere from two years to four years or more to complete (PA programs are approximately 27 months, according to American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)). Bridge programs for current PAs who earned their degree before a master’s was a requirement to enter the field may take less time. Bridge programs are not accredited by the AAPA.
Online Physician Assistant Programs Available to New Hampshire Students
The following online physician assistant programs may be available to students in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire
The following physician assistant programs can be found on New Hampshire campuses.
| Program | City | Time to Complete | GPA Requirement |
| Franklin Pierce University | Rindge | 27 months | 3.0 |
General Tips on How to Become a Physician Assistant in New Hampshire
To become a physician assistant in New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire’s state board for exact requirements.