Meanwhile, the average age at which non-retired Americans expect to retire has also increased over time, from 60 in 1995 to 66 this year. Furthermore, in 1995, more non-retired Americans expected to retire younger -- 15% expected to retire before age 55, compared with 4% in 2014.
Apply for an accredited physicianâs assistant program. Usually, such programs will last about two to three academic years. At the end, you will be awarded a masterâs degree. As of 2010, there were 154 such accredited PA programs in the United States.
A masterâs degree is the minimum education requirement for becoming a physician assistant. The first half of the three-year program is typically devoted to courses such as health care ethics, health care policy, and health care management, while the remaining time is spent gaining clinical experience.