Pre-Physician Assistant

Is this career right for you?

  • Do you enjoy science and the study of the human body?
  • Do you enjoy researching information and solving problems?
  • Are you comfortable with being a member of a team and having a supervisor?
  • Do you have the communication and interpersonal skills to advise and educate patients?

Prerequisite courses

Any major is acceptable. Physician Assistant (PA) schools seek applicants who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a strong sense of service and leadership, have clinical experience, and who have done well in their coursework. The best major to choose is the one you will find most interesting and challenging.

PA schools are seeking well-rounded, compassionate, creative, bright, service-minded individuals. You must develop and demonstrate personal attributes that will enable you to be an effective healthcare provider.

Your academic preparation is still extremely important. Prerequisite requirements vary significantly among PA schools.

You are responsible for verifying the prerequisites for each of the schools that interest you. Below is a list of the common prerequisite requirements for PA schools.

OPHA's Pre-Health Advisors can help answer complex quesitons regarding pre-requisites; however, OPHA generally recommends retaking AP/IB credits that are part of the course requirements for health professional schools. Because many schools do not accept AP/IB credits for prerequisite requirements, this helps students keep their options open when it comes time to apply as each school can differ in their exceptions.

Additionally, most PA programs require grades of at least B or higher for all prerequisites at the time of application submission. If you do not receive satisfactory grades in required courses, we highly recommend you retake to ensure mastery of content and competitiveness of the application.

For more specifics on prerequisite requirements, you should visit the website for each of the PA schools you are considering. For access to all PA programs, visit the Ìý·É±ð²ú²õ¾±³Ù±ð.

There is a lot of variability and nuance when it comes to pre-requisites. OPHA's Pre-Health Advisors can assist you in determining what courses you need to be most competitive and for which schools.

The following list of courses demonstrates the most common pre-requisities, since they often vary among PA programs.

Biology

Generally two courses with associated labs of general biology are required. Lectures and labs should be equivalent to 8 semester hours.
At ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder, there are multiple options to fulfill this requirement. Additional biology courses may be required depending on the PA school. See two options for completing the biology requirement below.

Option 1:

  • General Biology 1 and Lab (EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1230), 4 credits
  • General Biology 2 and Lab (EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1240), 4 credits
  • Genetics (EBIO 2070), 4 credits

Option 2:

  • Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (MCDB 1150), 3 credits
  • Principles of Genetics (MCDB 2150), 3 credits
  • 2 credits of first-year biology labs - choose one:
    • From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Lab (MCDB 1161), 2 credits
    • Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens (MCDB 1171), 2 credits
    • Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens (MCDB 1181/IPHY 1181), 2 credits
    • Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens 2 (MCDB 2171), 2 credits
  • Note: Some schools require a year of Biology plus Genetics. If you are inerested in a school that requires that sequence, we recommend option one (above) or taking EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1240 in addition to the above MCDB courses.

Addtionally, the following courses are required:

  • Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab (IPHY 3410 and IPHY 3415), 5 credits
  • Human Physiology and Physiology Lab (IPHY 3430 and IPHY 3435), 6 credits
  • Microbiology (EBIO 3400), 3 credits. Some schools will require the Microbiology Lab (EBIO 3410), 1 credit.

The strongest applicants to PA programs have typically completed at least two additional science courses beyond the prerequisites. We recommend completing all three, if possible. Some options include:

  • Cell Biology (MCDB 3145), 3 credits
    • Cell Biology is specifically required to enter Red Rocks Community College's PA Program is recommend by OPHA to take
  • Immunology (IPHY 4600), 3 credits OR (MCDB 4300), 3 credits
    • If you are not an IPHY or MCDB major, you can take this in summer only
  • Medical Terminology (IPHY 2400)

Chemistry

Generally two courses with associated labs in general (inorganic) chemistry with additional chemistry courses in organic chemistry and biochemistry are required. Some schools require additional chemistry courses.

  • Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 1021), 4 credits (Recommended, but optional to provide foundational knowledge)
  • General Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1114), 5 credits
  • General Chemistry 2 and Lab (CHEM 1133 and CHEM 1134), 5 credits
  • Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 3311 and CHEM 3321), 5 credits
    • The lab is not always required by all programs.
  • Biochemistry (BCHM 4611), 3 credits
    • Required or recommended by most PA programs.

If you are CHEM or BCHM major, be sure to talk to your Pre-Health Advisor, who can help you find the appropriate chemistry courses.

Physics

The strongest applicants to PA programs have typically completed at least two additional science courses beyond the prerequisites. One option to do so would be to take physics, which can be required by some schools. At ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder, you have the option of taking an algebra-based sequence or a calculus-based sequence. The algebra-based sequence is usually most recommended.

  • General Physics 1 (PHYS 2010), 5 credits, lab included

Math and Statistics

One semester of statistics is typically required. Choose one of the following:

  • Psychological Science 1: Statistics (PSYC 2111), 4 credits
  • Introduction to Statistics (IPHY 2800), 4 credits -  no longer offered
  • Introduction to Data Science & Biostatistics (IPHY 3280), 4 credits
  • Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2510), 3 credits

Some PA programs require additonal elective math courses.

  • Precalculus (MATH 1150), 4 credits OR
  • Calculus 1 (MATH 1300), 5 credits

Psychology

Many PA schools require General Psychology (PSYC 1001), 3 credits and one other psychology course. The following two are recommended to choose from:

  • Developmental Psychology (PSYC 3684), 3 credits
  • Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3303), 3 credits

Writing/English Composition

Most schools require one to two semesters of writing or English Literature/Composition courses. This requirement can be fulfilled via any WRTG or ENGL course.

    Additional Classes to Consider

    Courses in additional disciplines that are of interest to you will provide you with a broad and relevant foundation for PA school. Consider enhancing your studies in ethics, philosophy, global and public health, cross-cultural studies.

    Other Desired Traits and Experiences

    PA programs typically require significant amounts of clinical experience, i.e., experience with patients, before application. On average, successful applicants have worked in a clinical setting for one to three years before matriculation into a PA program. Many students complete entry-level certifications such as that of a Certified Nurse Assistant or Emergency Medical Technician or work as a Medical Assistant in a physician practice before applying to PA training. Finding the right experiences for you and your application is a complex process and OPHA's Pre-health Advisors are here to help you find out what experiences, like shadowing and direct patient interaction, are right for you. They can also help you build a comprehensive application, showcasing your unique skills that set you apart.

    Updated Jan 2024