lmccary31 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I am not an active poster on these boards, but I do read a lot. Recently I came across a thread about a doctorate level of training being available for PAs to "compete" with DNPs. My issue is, I have applied at Pennsylvania College of Technology for the PA program and will find out if I am accepted in March. The program is accrediated but is a bachelor level program. There is an option to take an online master's degree during your clinical year through a sister college (nova northwestern florida perhaps?). Would potential employers look at this kind of training as a lower standard than the master degree programs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted July 19, 2013 Administrator Share Posted July 19, 2013 Not in the clinical year, but there are plenty of Masters' for practicing PAs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmccary31 Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Ok good, so the undergraduate training makes no difference then. Thanks for your reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friction Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 From what members of the board have said, as long as you have a PA-C after you name it really doesn't matter if its a certificate, Bachelors, or Masters program. Regardless of the level of degree awarded, each program is required to meet a minimum standard in the education it teaches. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paula Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I am not an active poster on these boards, but I do read a lot. Recently I came across a thread about a doctorate level of training being available for PAs to "compete" with DNPs. My issue is, I have applied at Pennsylvania College of Technology for the PA program and will find out if I am accepted in March. The program is accrediated but is a bachelor level program. There is an option to take an online master's degree during your clinical year through a sister college (nova northwestern florida perhaps?). Would potential employers look at this kind of training as a lower standard than the master degree programs? If you get in take the Masters option. You will need it as the Masters PA is the entry level and terminal degree for PAs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyJ Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I graduated from one of the few Bachelors programs, which has since converted to Masters. I had no issue getting employment upon graduation, but had to quickly get going on my Masters because of Ohio law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paula Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I graduated with a Bachelors in 2004. The program was in the process of converting to a Masters and succeeded in 2008 or so. I just finished a masters completion program this week! Yeah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalPA Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I graduated with a Bachelors in 2004. The program was in the process of converting to a Masters and succeeded in 2008 or so. I just finished a masters completion program this week! Yeah! My #1 choice offers an AA but has the option of doing the St. Francis MMS program in the clinical year. I am finishing up my BA now so I can take part in the MMS program. seems the best option for me. Plus having a BA degree will broaden my options, in case I dont get in, I can apply to other MA programs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmccary31 Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Thats the thing. The sister college that offers the online program I believe just offers a Masters of health science, not an MPAS or anything like that. So that is still acceptable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalPA Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 There is no difference between the MPAS, MMS and MHS. Each school calls it something else. As long as the institution granting the degree is accredited there is no difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasip Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 From what members of the board have said, as long as you have a PA-C after you name it really doesn't matter if its a certificate, Bachelors, or Masters program. Regardless of the level of degree awarded, each program is required to meet a minimum standard in the education it teaches. Good luck. This is not the case in the N. Texas area. Many job postings by health care networks/hospitals specify that they want MS level PA's. Short-sided from the perspective of disqualifying those who may have more experience by having graduated with a BS before the MS programs became the norm but it may be a credentialing standard from their perspective. CVS branded MinuteClinic's will only consider MS as well. For some of us, getting the MS doesn't make financial sense due to anticipated time left in practice and the inherent cost of the program. There is a local network that will accept BS PA's who wish to work part-time such as myself as I go back to school for my paramedic certification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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