Madragna Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi everyone, I got into both a masters program and a certificate program but I dont know which one to go to. Is a masters in PA really necessary? The masters program is 30 months and the certificate program is 22 months, which makes me want to go to the certificate program. Any thoughts? Thanks a bunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted May 17, 2011 Moderator Share Posted May 17, 2011 you have a prior degree (BS), correct? what state do you want to practice in? the clinical education at all pa programs is the same. the difference between the programs will be a few research type classes and a thesis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAruby Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Also consider that in some states you must have a master's degree to practice... trends are heading that way, so I'd say its worth the extra 8 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I really think, for the health of our profession, that you should seek a Masters. Much about life is perception (which is too bad). For too long the nursing community has tired to misinform the public that PAs only have a little college and NPs have a masters degree. I wish all PA programs were just masters to shut them up. My PA program was extremely hard. It was much harder than my roommates program, a masters in math. Yet I only got a cert out of it. It was used against me often in my career (usually by hospital nurses that made the point that I didn't have a masters). I did get my master finally. Now does this influence how good of a provider you are? No. Only the political hassles you will face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigk Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 What's wrong with doing the Cert and while your working that extra 8months doing masters thru AT-Still, Nebraska or St Francis? My program gives an AS and when I'm done I plan to do AT-Still's masters online. As for the some states Masters requirement it's 3, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio; then there are 6 with a BS requirement, Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania. http://www.aapa.org/images/stories/Advocacy-state-summaries/Requirements_for_Licensure.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 What's wrong with doing the Cert and while your working that extra 8months doing masters thru AT-Still, Nebraska or St Francis? My program gives an AS and when I'm done I plan to do AT-Still's masters online. As for the some states Masters requirement it's 3, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio; then there are 6 with a BS requirement, Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania. http://www.aapa.org/images/stories/Advocacy-state-summaries/Requirements_for_Licensure.pdf From my perspective, no difference. A masters is a masters. There's two issues, getting a good PA education and then the letters in the suffix after your name to quieten the critics. I think you need both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcpac10 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Don't settle for anything less than a Masters (if you already have a BS/BA). I am looking at job posts in the LA/OC, CA area (a desirable location, so I am told by recruiters), and lately I've noticed that some employers are requiring the applicant have a Masters degree. It might only be a few employers now, but in a competitive job market why reduce your chances qualifying for any advertised PA position. The few extra months of school will be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 From my perspective, no difference. A masters is a masters. There's two issues, getting a good PA education and then the letters in the suffix after your name to quieten the critics. I think you need both. Thanks to Nebraska, St Francis, Western, At Stills, and Nova you can have both if you are a grad from a non MS program. Just like nursing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelseff Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Your options for a MS after PA school are: With a BA/BS----------------------> Nebraska, et. al. (Can't beat Nebraska's cost) Sans a BA/BS----------------------> A.T. Still University APA prog. (I'm doing this now) IDK of another MS program with a BA/BS equivalency track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Get in where you fit in. Jessie Edward made sure you had degree options. He opened the door.:wink: Let me do the AARP PA from California thing. LOL. Here it ain't about a degree. It is about what can you do for your SP. Can you move patients? Get all the paper you want. What can you do for the practice? Just saying... LOL. Yes in California, there are places where saturation may be an issue IMHO. Still, it really isn't about a degree IMHO. Nothing but love and in a supportive and nurturing way. BTW PAs in Cali are preceived as a way to deal with our HC crisis. All of us. :) IMHO we all are doing good for the profession. But then again....what do I know? Bring it and Flame away. LesH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelseff Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Get in where you fit in. Jessie Edward made sure you had degree options. He opened the door.:wink: Let me do the AARP PA from California thing. LOL. Here it ain't about a degree. It is about what can you do for your SP.... IMHO we all are doing good for the profession. But then again....what do I know? LesH I agree in Cali (at least from my limited exp) NOT ONE of the places who interviewed/offered me asked about my lack of a degree. In fact, the guy replacing me is an OLD SCHOOL PA (ex Navy HM and PA x 30 years) with NO degree.... I'm just getting it for "protection" LOL YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madragna Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 Hey I have a BS in biology and a masters in education which really doesn't meean anything in the medical feild. I live in NY. Thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madragna Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 Thank you all for your advice. I think I am going to the masters program. Thanks again :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESH Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Thank you all for your advice. I think I am going to the masters program. Thanks again :) Cool. You might want to change your profile information to PA-S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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