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MU Home » Academics » School of Graduate Studies » Physician Assistant Program

Clinical Experience

Clinical Experience for the MU PA Program:

A minimum of 500 hours of clinical experience is required prior to matriculation. The purpose of clinical experience is to allow for exposure to how the healthcare system works and to gain an understanding of the PA profession. Having direct patient contact is valuable to helping applicants establish a comfort level when working with patients and other members of the medical team. Applicants are encouraged to have at least completed or exceeded 500 hours at the time of application to be deemed competitive. The program is not responsible for assisting applicants with finding places of employment, shadowing opportunities, certifications, etc. It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange their own clinical experience.

All hours must be completed by July 15th of the year planning to enter.

Acceptable Work:

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Paramedic
• Emergency Room Technician
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Military Medic
• Surgical Technician
• Radiological Technician
• Nursing
• Scribe
• Certified Laboratory Technician
• Certified Pharmacy Technician
• Phlebotomy
• College or University level Athletic Training
• Certified Physical Therapist Assistant
• Shadowing a PA, NP, MD/DO

Unacceptable Work:

• Clerical duties for any organization
• Veterinarian work
• Medical answering service
• Ward Secretary
• Massage Therapist
• Dental Assistant
• In-home care assistant (i.e personal care giver for ill family member)
• Shadowing of any profession other than PA, NP or MD/DO
• Pharmaceutical Sales