As a future Physician Assistant/Associate (PA), one crucial factor that may be a part of your PA school decision-making process is class size.

Large PA class (> 50 students) or small PA class (< 50 students), you find yourself contemplating which environment will be most conducive to your learning. This question, however, may not have a clear-cut answer, as the “best” class size often varies depending on individual learning preferences and styles.

I attended the Rutgers University PA program, where our class comprised around 40 students. In retrospect, the relatively small class size had a positive impact on my PA school journey. We were a close-knit group, akin to a family, right from the start. The camaraderie, support, and shared experiences fostered by our small class size played a pivotal role in shaping my development as a PA.

So, this leads us back to the original question, “Does class size really matter?”

From my personal experience, I believe it does, but the importance and implications may not be as straightforward as you might think.

The Impact of Class Size: The Bigger Picture

A larger class size in a PA program can be both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, it could mean less personalized attention from faculty, making it a less suitable environment for those who learn best through direct interaction. However, it also offers a unique set of benefits:

1. Diversity of Experiences: Larger classes often draw students from a wide range of backgrounds. This diversity can enrich your learning experience, providing various perspectives on patient care and the field of medicine.
2. Networking Opportunities: The larger your class size, the more extensive your network of future PAs. This can potentially lead to more job opportunities and collaborations in your professional future.
3. Alumni Network: After graduation, a larger class translates into a broader alumni network. This network can be a valuable resource throughout your career, providing professional connections and opportunities.

The Value of Small Class Sizes: The Personal Touch

Smaller class sizes, on the other hand, tend to offer more individualized attention and direct interaction with faculty members, making them an attractive option for those who prefer a close-knit learning environment. The benefits of a smaller class include:

1. Personalized Attention: In smaller classes, faculty can provide more individualized guidance and mentoring. This is beneficial for those who thrive under direct instruction and guidance.
2. Close-Knit Community: Smaller classes often foster a sense of community among students. This camaraderie can be a source of emotional and academic support throughout the rigorous PA program.
3. Active Participation: With fewer students, you’ll likely have more opportunities to participate in class discussions, ask questions, and engage with the material.

The Research on Class Size and Achievement

When contemplating the impact of class size on the learning experience and outcomes, it’s also essential to consider empirical evidence. Various studies have investigated the impact of class size on graduate student performance and retention.

• The Effects of Class Size on Student Performance and Retention at Binghamton University (1997) found that increasing class size had a negative effect on student achievement, with students in smaller classes being more likely to receive A’s and less likely to drop out.
• Class Size and Student Performance in a Team-Based Learning Course (2014) found that active learning pedagogies, which are more student-centered, were more effective in smaller class sizes.
• Does Class Size Really Matter? A Chalkbeat Look at the Research (2022) reviewed the research on class size and found that students often do better in smaller classes, but there is no clear consensus on the optimal class size.

These studies suggest that smaller class sizes can have a positive impact on student performance in graduate school. However, there are many more factors that also play a role in PA student success

Choosing What Works for You

The choice between larger and smaller class sizes ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and learning style.

If you’re comfortable in larger, more diverse settings and value a larger professional network, a program with larger class sizes may be beneficial. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more intimate learning environment with more one-on-one interactions, a smaller class size may be the best fit for you.

Remember, however, that class size is just one of many factors to consider when choosing a PA program. It’s equally important to consider the program’s curriculum, faculty, location, tuition, and the opportunities it offers for hands-on experience.

In the end, the ‘right’ PA program for you is the one that aligns best with your goals, values, and learning style. It will offer a blend of solid academics, hands-on experience, supportive faculty, and a learning environment that feels just like home.

Don’t get too caught up in the numbers game – look beyond the numbers to understand what each program truly offers.

Stephen Pasquini PA-C

The post Choosing a PA School: Why Class Size Matters appeared first on PA School Finder: Physician Assistant Program Directory.

Over the past four decades the PA postgraduate training movement has slowly expanded, and in 2017 there are 70 programs listed on the Association of Postgraduate PA Programs programs (APPAP) website.

All of these post graduate training programs, also referred to as residencies or fellowships, provide some form of advanced learning in various medical and surgical specialties.

• Those who attend residency programs claim that PA residencies offer hands on practical experience that will prepare you to be better perform at your job.
• PAs who jump into specialty without residencies claim you can get paid 2-3x as much, work less, and learn just as much while getting your training on the job.

Who is right? I am not here to debate this, but I think it depends on the person and your individual needs.

By far the most comprehensive PA residency program is hosted by the Carolinas Healthcare system which offers eight PA fellowships in Acute Care, Critical Care/Trauma, Family Medicine, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Urgent Care and Urology!

PA program residency quick facts:

• Program certification: There is no official certification process for post graduate residency programs.
  • ARC-PA: There are currently only 8 accredited clinical residencies for PAs in the US, listed on ARC-PAs website here. Accreditation is voluntary through ARC-PA and does ensure a certain level of educational standards, but it is not required and offers no current benefit. Since 2014 The ARC-PA has placed the accreditation process for clinical postgraduate PA programs in abeyance while it studies a different type of process to recognize program educational quality.
  • Association of Postgraduate PA Programs (APPAP): At the American Academy of Physician Assistants Convention in Los Angeles in May 1988 a group of postgraduate PA programs met to formalize a national postgraduate PA program organization. Bylaws were written and approved by the eight founding programs and the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs (APPAP) was formed to further specialty education for PA’s. Programs are not required to be registered with APPAP and certain membership criteria must be met to be eligible. While there are benefits to being registered with APPAP, there are also very expensive membership fees that programs may not wish to spend their money on. Do not be hesitant if the program you find interesting is not on APPA’s website.
• What about my loans? You can defer student loans during your residency and some programs offer loan repayment
• Do I get paid during my residency? Most residencies provide stipends of 40 – 75 k and require 40-80 hours per week up to 6 days per week
• How many hours will I be required to work? The average program length is 12 months but some programs are up to 24 months long
• How competitive is the process? 10-30 people interview at each program annually and accept on average 1-4 residents

PA Postgraduate Residency and Fellowship Programs by Specialty (Updated January 2017)

Yellow: ARC-PA Accreditation 

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New York (21 Physician Assistant Programs)

1. Albany Medical College
2. CCNY Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education
3. Clarkson University
4. Cornell University
5. CUNY York College
6. D’youville College
7. Daemen College
8. Hofstra University
9. Le Moyne College
10. Long Island University
11. Mercy College
12. New York Institute of Technology
13. Pace University
14. Rochester Institute of Technology
15. St. John’s University
16. Stony Brook University
17. SUNY Downstate Medical Center
18. SUNY Upstate Medical Center
19. Touro College (Bay Shore)
20. Touro College (Manhattan)
21. Wagner College

Pennsylvania (20 Physician Assistant Programs)

1. Arcadia University
2. Chatham University
3. Desales University
4. Drexel University
5. Duquesne University
6. Gannon University
7. King’s College
8. Lock Haven University
9. Marywood University
10. Misericordia University
11. Penn State University
12. Pennsylvania College of Technology
13. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
14. Philadelphia University
15. Saint Francis University
16. Salus University
17. Seton Hill University
18. Thomas Jefferson University
19. University of Pittsburgh
20. University of the Sciences of Philadelphia

California (10 Physician Assistant Programs)

1. Loma Linda University
2. Marshall B. Ketchum University
3. Riverside Community College
4. Samuel Merritt College
5. San Joaquin Valley College
6. Stanford University
7. Touro University (California)
8. University of California-Davis
9. University Of Southern California (LA)
10. Western University of Health Sciences

Florida (9 Physician Assistant Programs)

1. Barry University
2. Keiser University
3. Miami-Dade College
4. Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale
5. Nova Southeastern University, Jacksonville
6. Nova Southeastern University, Orlando  Accredited-Probationary
7. Nova Southeastern University, Southwest
8. South University, Tampa Florida
9. University of Florida

Programs in these four states made up more than one-third of all programs, roughly (34%).

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