St. Louis is home to several highly regarded physician assistant (PA) programs that prepare students for rewarding careers in the dynamic healthcare industry. This guide provides an in-depth look at some of the top PA programs the area has to offer and what makes St. Louis an advantageous location to jumpstart your career as a PA.
Overview of PA Career and Demand in St. Louis Region
Physician assistants play a critical role on the healthcare team. Working alongside doctors, they conduct patient exams, order diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications.
The St. Louis metropolitan area provides a robust job market for PAs thanks to its vibrant medical community. Major health systems like BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy rely on PAs to help deliver high-quality care across dozens of hospitals, clinics and physician practices throughout the region.
With its large aging population and physician shortages in both urban and rural areas nearby, the demand for PAs in the St. Louis region will remain strong for years to come. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 31% nationwide job growth for PAs through 2031.
Highly Ranked PA Programs in St. Louis
Students hoping to train as physician assistants in the St. Louis area are in luck – the city boasts several highly respected PA programs. Here‘s an overview of some top options:
Washington University School of Medicine
The PA program at Washington University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the best in the nation. It‘s an extremely selective full-time, 27-month master‘s program that admits just 54 students per cohort.
Key program details and benefits include:
- Over 2,100 hours of clinical rotations across core specialties
- Rotation sites at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- Strong focus on primary care and working in underserved communities
- Hands-on training in Washington University Medical Center simulation labs
- Opportunity to collaborate with world-class faculty on research
The program is very competitive with its most recent cohort sporting a 3.6 GPA average and over 2,700 hours of direct patient care experience.
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University offers an accredited 26-month master‘s PA program with the option to specialize in orthopedics.
Distinctive aspects of this program include:
- Part-time, evening course options available
- Optional global health experiences in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Other locaitons
- Orthopedic specialty track featuring advanced coursework and clinicals
- Faculty with expertise in disciplines like surgery, emergency medicine and pediatrics
The program requires at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience to apply. Accepted students average a 3.4 undergraduate GPA.
Maryville University
Maryville University‘s PA program is a full-time, 27-month master‘s that boasts a 100% first-time PANCE pass rate since its inception.
What makes this program unique?
- Comprehensive anatomy curriculum with cadaver lab
- One-on-one career mentoring from faculty associates
- No GRE required for admission
- Excellent student support resources like free tutoring and counseling
Maryville requires related healthcare experience and service-oriented extracurricular activities. Accepted students typically carry at least a 3.2 GPA.
Benefits of Training as a PA Student in St. Louis
Pursuing PA school in the St. Louis region offers many advantages:
Cutting-Edge Medical Facilities for Clinicals – Students rotate through well-known teaching hospitals and health centers like Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Christian Hospital. This advanced clinical training sets graduates up for success.
Job Networking Opportunities – St. Louis boasts nearly 100 hospitals and leading national health systems headquartered nearby like Centene and Ascension. These partnerships allow students to build professional connections that may lead to employment down the road.
Vibrant Biotech and Healthcare Industry – The St. Louis region has a thriving economy centered around bioscience and medicine. Graduates can leverage this dynamic job market that demands highly trained PAs across diverse specialties.
Applying to and Succeeding in a St. Louis PA Program
Students aiming to secure acceptance into the selective PA training programs in St. Louis should:
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Complete all prerequisite science courses – This includes classes like anatomy, physiology, microbiology and chemistry. Maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA or higher in prerequisites is key.
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Obtain extensive healthcare experience – Quality and quantity of patient interaction is pivotal. Seek out full-time roles like CNA, EMT or medical assistant that provide over 1,000 hours of hands-on care.
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Highlight commitment to service – Admissions teams look for evidence of volunteer work, mentorship, research and other service demonstrating your passion for patient populations in need.
Once enrolled, top students set themselves up for success by:
- Using school tutoring and study groups to master challenging course material
- Actively collaborating with classmates on clinical cases and group projects
- Joining campus organizations to demonstrate engagement outside academics
- Building relationships with faculty and local PAs to pave the way for research, mentoring and job search help
Career Outlook for St. Louis PA Graduates
As a PA program graduate in St. Louis, you will leverage strong regional demand and a network of professional contacts to launch a fulfilling and financially stable medical career.
The 2022 median salary for PAs locally is $115,000 – significantly higher than the national median. Specialties like surgery ($139,000 median) or emergency medicine ($130,000) offer even higher earning potential.
New grads can target large St. Louis based health systems like SSM Health, Mercy and BJC HealthCare that run facilities and physician practices across Missouri and beyond. Community clinics, home health agencies, the VA Health System and academic medical centers also heavily recruit newly certified PAs.
Over time, experienced PAs can advance into leadership roles as department administrators and take on additional responsibilities through specialization in areas like neurology, cardiology and pediatrics.
For physician assistants, St. Louis provides a robust job market featuring competitive salaries, space to specialize, and opportunities to practice at some of the nation’s most prestigious medical institutions. If you hope to positively impact patient lives through a dynamic medical career, a PA program in St. Louis is an excellent place to start.