Physician Assistant Programs are quite varied.  They include certificate programs, bachelor's degree programs and master's degree programs.  For someone with a bachelor's degree, the certificate programs or the master's programs are the best options.  The prerequisite course description below is given for master's degree programs, but most courses will meet the requirements for the certificate programs as well.

The basic requirements for physician assistant programs may include but are not limited to the following:

• General Biology with lab, two semesters:
  BIO 2105, 2106
• General Chemistry with lab, two semesters:
  CHM 1151/1103, 1152/1104
• Organic Chemistry with lab, two semesters:
  CHM 2211/2201, 2212/2202
• Physics with lab, two semesters:
  PHY 1100/1101, 1102/1103 or 2410/2411 and 2412/2413 or 2414/2415
• Anatomy & Physiology, two semesters:
  BIO 1205, 1206 are recommended
• Statistics
• Microbiology

The programs also expect the applicant to have patient-contact experience.  Some want extensive hours, so it is important to check the requirements for each school in which you are interested.  This information is in the Physician Assistant Programs Directory which can be obtained from the Association of Physician Assistant Programs.  The information is also available via the web site of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Selecting A Major

To meet these requirements, the following majors may be selected.  The major must be supplemented with the above courses as needed.  Science courses should be selected in close coordination with the Health Professions Advisor. Your advisor in your major will assist you in selecting courses to complete the requirements for your major.

Liberal Arts Major  (4-year Bachelor of Arts degree, any discipline)
These above courses will satisfy the science and math requirements for the core curriculum.  However, fitting all the science requirements into a program may require summer course work.

Biology Major  (4-year Bachelor of Science degree)
This major can include most prerequisite courses, except for BIO 1205 and BIO 1206 which must be taken as free electives.  For further information, contact the Biology Department in the Mendel Science Center 147, (610) 519-4830.

Chemistry Major  (4-year Bachelor of Science degree)
Students must supplement their curriculum with BIO 2105 and 2106 plus additional courses as above. A biochemistry concentration is also available.  For further information, contact the Chemistry Department in the Mendel Science Center 215, (610) 519-4840.

Biochemistry Major (4-year Bachelor of Science degree)
This major includes all prerequisite courses.  For further information, contact the Chemistry Department in the Mendel Science Center 215, (610) 519-4840.

Comprehensive Sciences Major  (4-year Bachelor of Science degree)
Students must supplement their curriculum with CHM 2211/2201 and 2212/2202 and other courses listed above.  For further information, contact the Comprehensive Science Program, St. Augustine Center 451, (610) 519-4232.