PA Program Prerequisites
Applicants who wish to apply to the USA Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program must
complete prerequisite courses completed with a grade of "C" or higher, from a U.S. regionally accredited institution
with one semester of at least 3 credits for each course below (except Medical Terminology
1+ credits). All PA program prerequisite courses must be completed one semester prior to Matriculation
(completed by December to enter the following May) . Courses are not required to be taken within a timeframe. Bonus Courses are NOT required
but if completed with a “C” or above will strengthen the application. All Bonus Courses
must be upper level courses. Quarterly credits are accepted, however, courses that
are in a sequence must be completed. For example, Anatomy and Physiology I, II,
and III.
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
PA Program
Prerequisite Courses
| Prerequisite Course Name | Sem Hrs Req | Also Accepted/Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
|
All science courses must be geared for science majors.
|
||
| Biology |
4.0 | General Biology - Lab required or Cell Biology or Molecular Biology or Genetics (no Bonus Points) or Immunology (no Bonus Points) |
| General Chemistry I |
4.0 | Lab required |
| General Chemistry II |
4.0 | Lab required |
| Organic Chemistry |
3.0 | or Biochemistry (no Bonus Points) |
| General Microbiology |
3.0 | or Infectious Disease or Molecular Microbiology or Medical Microbiology or Microbiology for Healthcare |
| Human Anatomy AND Human Physiology ~ OR ~ Human Anatomy & Physiology I AND Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 |
Human Preferred but will accept: Comparative, Vertebrate, Mammalian Anatomy/Physiology |
| Mathematics |
3.0 | College algebra - minimum or Pre-Calculus Algebra, Trigonometry, or Calculus |
| Statistics |
3.0 | Statistical Reasoning and Applications Can be taken in most departments |
| General Psychology |
3.0 | Human development courses may be accepted. |
| Medical Terminology |
1.0 | No certifications or clerical/office courses accepted. Must be for college credit. |
| Bonus Course Name | Sem Hrs Req | Also Accepted/Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| BONUS COURSES* - Not Required, must be upper level Bonus Courses used to satisfy prereqs will not be counted as ‘Bonus’ |
||
| Biochemistry | 3.0 | |
| Genetics | 3.0 | Genomics |
| Immunology | 3.0 | |
| Pathophysiology | 3.0 | |
| Pharmacology | 3.0 | |
| COURSES ACCEPTED** •Online/web-based •Community College •AP |
||
| Courses typically Not Accepted to satisfy prerequisite or Bonus courses, USA PA department approval needed. •Survey, Applied •Physical Education •Exercise Science/Kinesiology •Veterinary •Nursing |
||
If you have questions about the requirements or the PA program prerequisite courses
(including Bonus Courses) for the physician assistant program, please email the Admissions Coordinator. Include the course number, description, and school attended, a syllabus may be required.
* PA program Bonus Courses may require evaluation for credit and must be upper level.
** Community college courses may be accepted if school is regionally accredited.
** Online courses may be accepted if school is regionally accredited. Though accepted,
it is recommended that they be kept to a minimum and do not include upper level sciences.
** AP credits may be accepted to satisfy prerequisites if they appear on an official
transcript from a college/university that is regionally accredited and only after
transcript evaluation and with approval from the USA PA department.
Please visit the CHEA website for a listing of the six (6) regional accreditations that we accept. Your
school's website will list their accreditation.