Physician Assistant Program (LA)
- 28 Months to Complete
- 123 Credit MS Program
- 9 Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences
Physician assistants are an integral part of the health care system and are essential to primary care.
Our program meets the mission of all Touro University Physician Assistant Programs to educate capable students to meet the challenges of providing health care in collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
Accreditation
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Touro University California – Los Angeles Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Touro University California.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Program Snapshot
Program Length
The PA program is a full-time, lock-step, 28-month MS program. Learn about the PA (Los Angeles) Curriculum.
Program Cost
Estimated total program costs for incoming students for the academic year based on current rates. For more information please see the PA (Los Angeles) Tuition & Fees.
Physician Assistant Program Format
This is a traditional, full-time PA program at our Los Angeles campus. The first 3 semesters focus on didactic coursework, the following 3 semesters focus on clinical rotations, and the final semester includes your Capstone project and additional coursework.
Our curriculum is carefully crafted to meet our mission, goals, and outcomes.
The Growing Demand for Physician Assistants
Physician assistants are needed nationwide to keep up with the increased demand for medical practitioners. The anticipated physician shortage predicted for the next decade coupled with an aging baby boomer population puts increased pressure on the healthcare system. Physician assistants can fill the gap and contribute toward lessening the health inequity of the population. The PA profession provides an accelerated and robust medical training that prepares for quicker entrance to clinical practice best helping to meet the strong demand for medical professionals.
In California in particular, job growth for physician assistants is expected to increase by 34% over the next decade, which is much faster than average (EDD California).
PA Licensure & NCCPA Certification
Our program works to prepare you to apply for PA licensure in the State of California.
A PA may apply for licensure in California following the successful completion of a PA training program approved by the PAB and must pass the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) given by the NCCPA. The passage of this exam “certifies” the PA which is designated by PA-C. In order to maintain this certified designation, the PA must be recertified every two years with required CME and every ten years by examination through the NCCPA. California license renewal will require a minimum of 50 CAT 1 CME hours every two years, however, current NCCPA Certification will be accepted as meeting the state’s CME requirement.
To maintain NCCPA Certification, physician assistants must complete an ongoing 10-year process that involves logging of CME (Continuing Medical Education) credits, completion of re-registration materials and a recertification examination.
PAs in California are licensed by the:
Physician Assistant Board (PAB)
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1100
Sacramento, CA 95815-3831
Phone: (916) 561-8780 or (800) 555-8038
Fax: (916) 263-2671
www.pab.ca.gov
Get more information regarding state licensing.
PA Resource Links
The organizations and links below provide information about the PA profession: