About the Physician Assistant Education Association

PAEA is the only national organization representing physician assistant educational programs in the United States. Currently, all of the accredited programs in the country are members of the Association. PAEA provides services for faculty and its member programs, as well as to applicants, students, and other stakeholders. 

The Association was founded in 1972 as the Association of Physician Assistant Programs. Member programs voted to adopt the current name in 2005. 

For more information on the profession and applying, visit PA Focus; for a searchable directory of member PA programs, visit to the PA Program Directory. You can read more about PAEA's mission and governance here. 

About CASPA

CASPA was established in 2001 and serves as a web-based application for applicants to the physician assistant profession. It is a product of the PAEA and Liaison, International. 

93% percent of accredited PA programs participate in CASPA, as well as # developing PA programs. Developing programs are programs that have applied for provisional accreditation. More information on accreditation can be found on the ARC-PA website.

Questions about the application process can be answered via the instructions on the applicant portal. 

Social Media

PAEA and CASPA have various social media outlets available to pre-physician assistants, applicants, and students. We encourage you to join in the Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit conversations to become more informed about the profession, admissions, and applying to physician assistant school.

PA Focus Facebook 

CASPA Facebook

CASPA Twitter

Need More Help? 

For more information, visit the CASPA applicant portal or contact customer service via at caspainfo@caspaonline.org or phone 617.612.2080, or email general profession inquiries to students@PAEAonline.org.