/ Center for Community and Global Health/ Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant

Pre-Requisite Coursework for a Physician Assistant Program

Interested to find out more about a career as a physician assistant? Check out this website here.

Students can enter graduate programs in the health professions with any undergraduate major. However, many courses required for admission to health-professional schools are sequential, so good planning is key.

We have found that most PA programs require or recommend the below courses, however, pre-requisites can vary, sometimes greatly, from school to school. It is a good idea to check directly with the schools you plan to apply to.

Pre-Requisite	LC Course
1-year of Foundational Biology (labs highly recommended, but not required)	Any combination of the following (introductory coursework accepted, but not preferred): BIO 202 (4 credits): Biological Core Concepts: Mechanisms (Pre-req: Bio 110 and Chem 120) and BIO 311 (4 credits): Molecular Biology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255, or CS 171. Recommended pre-req: Chem 220) with Lab component BIO 312 (1 credit): Molecular Biology Lab (Pre-reqs: BIO 311 taken concurrently) or BIO 361 (5 credits): Cell Biology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255 or CS 171) or BIO 380 (5 credits): Behavioral Genetics (Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 202, Chem 120, and Math 131, 255, or CS 171. Recommended pre-reqs: Bio 252, Bio 311, Bio 320, or Bio 361)
1-year Foundational Chemistry (labs highly recommended, but not required)	Any combination of the following (introductory coursework accepted, but not preferred): CHEM 110 (5 credits): General Chemistry I (Pre-req: QR 101) or CHEM 120 (5 credits): General Chemistry II (Pre-req: Chem 110) or CHEM 210 (5 credits): Organic Chemistry I (Pre-req: Chem 120) or CHEM 220 (5 credits): Organic Chemistry II (Pre-req: Chem 210) or CHEM 335 (4 credits): Metabolic Biochemistry (Pre-req: Chem 220. Recommended pre-req: Bio 202)
1-semester Physiology	BIO 375 (5 credits): Physiology (Pre-reqs: Bio 110 and Bio 202. Recommended pre-reqs: Math 131, CS 171, or Phys 141.
1-semester Anatomy	Offered through the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities. See your pre-health advisor for options.
1 semester of Microbiology w/lab	BIO 343 (5 credits): Microbiology ((Pre-reqs: Bio 110, Bio 201, Bio 202, Chem 120, and either Math 131, 255, or CS 171)
1 semester Psychology	PSY 100 (4 credits): Introduction to Psychology (Pre-req: None) or PSY 230 (4 credits): Infant and Child Development (Pre-req: Psy 100) and/or PSY 330 (4 credits): Adolescent and Adult Development (Pre-reqs: Psy 230 and Psy 300)
1 semester Statistics	MATH 255 (4 credits): Statistical Concepts and Methods (Pre-req: Math 131) or PSY 200 (4 credits): Statistics I (Pre-req: None)

Below is a list of experiences to make oneself a competitive applicant for the position of a physician assistant.

Other Experiences	Hours
Clinical experience, CNA/MA/EMT certification may be necessary	500-2000 hours recommended. Hands-on patient care
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)	May be required for some schools. More information can be found here

Recommended Timeline for a Physician Assistant Program

Here is a recommended timeline to help you navigate the application process for a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Although student-classification years are listed, you can start working towards this program at any time – while this timeline is designed as a helpful template, it can be adjusted based on your personal journey

Please note that all physician assistant programs are different and may have varying application cycles and requirements, so be sure to research each program you’re interested in.

Winter of Junior Year
Recommended time for applicants to take the GRE	Recommended 2-3 months of studying prior to taking the exam Some programs do not require the GRE GRE is valid for 5 years Can be retaken every 21 days, up to 5 times in a 12-month period
Spring of Senior Year
April Application opens	Most PA programs accept applications on a rolling basis, meaning it is good to prioritize submitting your application early You may be contacted for an interview or be asked to submit supplemental applications
Summer after Senior Year
May - August Start Physician Assistant program