The Washington D.C. metropolitan area is nationally recognized as an epicenter for medicine and healthcare. It offers aspiring physician assistants world-class training opportunities paired with thriving career prospects. This guide provides an extensive overview of PA programs in Washington, D.C. plus contextual insight to inform prospective students‘ decision making.
What are Physician Assistants and Why Study in Washington, D.C.?
Physician assistants (PAs) are vital medical professionals who practice medicine alongside doctors across every healthcare setting. Delivering a wide range of medical services from primary care to specialty procedures, their role continues expanding as the model for team-based care evolves.
There are currently over 150 accredited PA programs nationwide, graduating over 10,000 new PAs per year. The Washington, D.C. metro area claims over a dozen high caliber PA training programs feeding the region‘s bustling healthcare job market.
What makes D.C. such a prime location for PA education? For starters, the concentration of prestigious hospital networks, federal agencies, clinics and medical nonprofits provides unparalleled access to cutting edge facilities for clinical rotations. The proximity to entities like the National Institutes of Health also fuels ample research collaboration opportunities for both students and program faculty.
Furthermore, Washington, D.C. offers PA graduates unlimited possibilities to launch their careers. Demand for PA services continues growing exponentially as coverage expands and retirements open up positions. Projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show a 31% increase in PA jobs nationally from 2020 to 2030, over three times the average growth rate across all occupations.
The District itself expects a 35% increase in PA positions over that span. New graduates earn an average salary of $104,680 in the D.C. region according to the BLS, with ample room for advancement over the course of a career.
Admissions Preparation for D.C. Area Programs
Gaining admission to PA school requires significant advanced planning and dedication. While specific prerequisites vary, most programs mandate similar undergraduate coursework in science and statistics.
Typical expectations include full-year sequences in:
- General Biology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Psychology or Sociology
- Statistics
Students from any major can pursue PA school by completing these science-heavy prerequisites. Common feeder majors include biology, health sciences, kinesiology and nursing. Course timing depends on your university, but this sequence generally takes 2-3 years alongside general education classes.
Prospective PA students apply during final year of undergraduate study or after graduation. The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) serves as the common national application platform.
Through CASPA, students submit official transcripts, letters of recommendation, healthcare experience documentation and a personal essay. Applicants must also take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test.
D.C. area PA programs typically receive 500-1,500 applications annually with acceptance rates around 10%. The highly competitive process assesses academic performance, hands-on exposure to medicine, communication skills, leadership qualities and professionalism.
Meeting basic requirements gets your foot in the door, but standout experiences set strong candidates apart. Excelling in science courses and the GRE are essential. Healthcare experience though EMT work, medical assisting, hospital volunteering or similar roles is invaluable. Research, community service activities and collegiate leadership also strengthen applications by demonstrating well-roundedness.
Financing Your PA Education in Washington, D.C.
The investment of time and finances to complete PA school pays dividends over the length a graduate‘s career. But it does require planning to fund living and educational expenses over an intense 24-30 month full-time program.
Average annual tuition for D.C. area PA programs ranges from $12,000 at public universities for in-state students up to $50,000 at private institutions. Cost of attendance including housing, books, supplies, transportation and other living costs totals $65,000-$85,000 per year.
Loans provide the foundation for funding for most students‘ PA education, with federal student loans offering the most favorable terms through income-driven repayment. Private student loans and institution payment plans bridge any gaps in approved aid packages. Those qualifying for military or federal service commitments may utilize programs like the Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction Program (VEERP) or National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
Scholarship availability is more limited, but students should exhaust every possible avenue to reduce reliance on loans. Professional associations like the American Academy of PAs award nearly $2 million in annual scholarships funded by donations from working PAs dedicated to the profession. Community, religious and Greek organizations, employers, veterans groups and more also offer awards applicants may qualify for.
Thoughtfully planning finances using available federal aid, military/service obligations, scholarships and conservative borrowing enables students to graduate prepared to excel in their PA careers.
Curriculum Overview: Prepare for Practice in Washington, D.C.
PA curricula blend rigorous medical science instruction, hands-on clinical skills training and over 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience. The intensive 24-30 month full-time programs aim to produce competent clinicians ready to thrive in any healthcare environment.
Didactic Phase
The first phase delivers a demanding load of classroom and lab work over 12-15 months. Students build foundational medical knowledge through courses in areas like:
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Human anatomy w/ lab
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Clinical medicine
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Pathophysiology
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Pharmacology
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Physical diagnosis
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Clinical skills
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Behavioral health
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Ethics & law
Labs focus on applying learning in simulation settings. Students practice technical skills like venipuncture, casting, suturing and pelvic exams on specialized manikins. Standardized patient encounters assess communication abilities through realistic interviewing and counseling scenarios.
Rigorous testing accompanies the fast pace of consuming graduate-level content each week. Nationally standardized final exams gauge mastery of core subjects prior to advancing.
Clinical Phase
The second phase centers on clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics and private practices exposing students to direct patient care across specialties. Core rotation requirements mandated by accreditation include:
- Emergency medicine
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Pediatrics
- Prenatal care & gynecology
- General surgery
- Behavioral/mental health
Available elective rotations in the D.C. area span every specialty imaginable. Students log over 60 supervised clinical hours per week caring for patients alongside physician and PA preceptors.
Rotations at facilities like Walter Reed, Johns Hopkins, MedStar, Inova and charity clinics serve critical roles transitioning classroom learning into clinical practice. Each rotation includes formal assessments from preceptors evaluating clinical and technical skills, medical knowledge, interpersonal abilities and professional behaviors.
Capstone & Graduation
The final phase has students returning to campus to prepare for clinical practice. Capstone courses tie together learning from the didactic and clinical phases to cement working knowledge on systems-based medicine, analysis of medical literature and professional development.
Students must also complete a research project with faculty guidance, allowing them to create and present findings like future practicing clinician-scientists.
By graduation, PA students have gained over 2,000 hours of patient care experience informing their practice across medical specialties. Master‘s degree PA programs include a thesis paper while bachelor‘s programs complete senior seminars.
Certification Exam and Licensure in Washington, D.C.
All PA program graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) prior to obtaining state licensure to practice. The PANCE assesses medical and clinical science knowledge needed for PA practice.
The five-hour computerized test includes 300 multiple choice questions on topics like:
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Clinical interventions
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Patient management
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Applying scientific concepts
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Role of the PA
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Health promotion
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Disease prevention
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Emergent care
PA programs excel at readying students for PANCE success through standardized exams, board review courses and simulated pretests. Graduates from D.C. area programs consistently demonstrate stellar pass rates, including:
- George Washington University: 97%
- Howard University: 96%
- Shenandoah University: 100%
- Anne Arundel CC: 100%
After certification, graduates apply for licensure by the D.C. Health Regulation and Licensing Administration. Along with a license, those seeking prescription authority must apply separately through the controlled substances registration program.
Spotlight: Exceptional Physician Assistant Programs in Washington, D.C.
The depth of high caliber PA programs in the greater capital area cannot adequately be captured in one guide. Here are spotlight summaries of five exemplary institutions along with insights on prestigious health systems offering clinical training grounds:
The George Washington University
- Flagship institution in the heart of D.C. highly ranked among elite PA programs nationally
- Renowned expert faculty pioneering PA specialization through certificate offerings
- Cutting-edge simulation centers with specialized manikins and environments
- 27-month curriculum includes unique rotations in wilderness, disaster and refugee medicine
- Ultra-strong 97% PANCE pass rate and 100% job placement success
Shenandoah University
- Innovation-driven 28-month program emphasizing integrative care and interprofessional teams
- Brand-new high-tech facilities opening in 2024 inspired by consultations with students and faculty
- Clinical experiences across expanding network of affiliate partners
- Impressive 100% PANCE pass rate since inception shows program produces practice-ready grads
- Emphasizes leadership development; 15% of recent grads have roles as clinical directors
Howard University
- Immerses students in care for marginalized, minority and economically disadvantaged populations
- Clinical rotations concentrated in direct patient care settings vs. academic medical centers
- Produces PAs committed to urban and underserved communities with allies in care social justice
- Respected as Washington, D.C.‘s historically Black academic anchor for over 155 years
- Expanding sports medicine program to support student interest and serve local athletic community
Inova Health System
- Not-for-profit network of 5 hospitals and dozens of primary care sites serving Northern Virginia
- New dedicated inpatient tower for pediatrics opening in 2024 at Inova Children’s Hospital
- Hub for clinical innovation and telehealth with experts in emergency and critical care medicine
- Serving 1 million + patient visits annually across segments like oncology, mental health and orthopedics
- Philanthropic partner improving community health through low-cost clinics and health services
Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Perennially ranked #1 or #2 hospital nationally by U.S. News and World Report
- Global leader in complex specialty care like neurosurgery, cancer and cardiology
- Houses over 1,000 research studies annually advancing science and care standards
- Recent major campus investments include surgical innovations center and outpatient imaging hub
- Trains over 1,500 medical residents across 50+ specialty areas each year
The depth of knowledge and expertise found in the classroom and corridors of D.C.‘s top PA programs, hospital systems and clinics is unmatched most anywhere nationwide. For aspiring PAs, the rewarding challenge of successfully completing a program here paves the way for limitless possibilities in clinical practice.
Life After Graduation: Thriving PA Careers in Washington, D.C.
The job market awaiting newly certified PAs offers enviably broad choices and strong compensation. Based on insider perspectives from practicing D.C. PAs, here is what the post-graduation landscape holds:
Finding a Job
- Many secure first jobs at clinical sites affiliated with rotations through faculty networking and preceptor referrals
- Large health systems like MedStar recruit new cohorts of resident PAs annually with intensive onboarding and structured advancement
- Clinics and medical groups highly value recent grads for up-to-date medical knowledge and cost efficiency
- Specialization right away is possible but not required; pay and autonomy increase with experience
Growth Trajectories
- Most system and hospital jobs place PAs on clinical ladder ascent programs with rising pay up to senior/lead levels
- Team coordination, research, teaching and leadership pathways exist for experienced PAs
- Independent federal prescription certification allows charting and scripting without physician co-signature
- Post-graduate residencies and certificates open up specialty practice potential
Professional Outlook
- New grads can expect a competitive $95,000 – $105,000 salary range on average
- National PA salary growth has averaged 2-5% annually exceeding physician income gains
- Metro area cost of living is high but stabilized housing markets and favorable job options help
- Joining PA professional associations provides networking, career development and continuing medical education
Why D.C.?
Pros:
- Abundant job opportunities allowing selectivity aligning with interests
- Access to nationally elite hospital medicine research and technology
- Robust public transit enabling car-free/reduced cost living
- Exposure to complex cases and innovation preps for diverse career paths
Cons:
- High cost of living can necessitate roommates or living further from city center
- Fast pace of care can be demanding compared to smaller communities
- Public health infrastructure gaps highlighting socioeconomic disparities
As dynamic clinicians delivering care in lockstep with doctors, PAs serve an invaluable role in Washington, D.C.’s world-renowned medical community. With diligent preparation and passion for patient care, graduates from area PA programs find open doors to rewarding lifelong healthcare careers.