Pre-Professional Studies

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants, under a physician's supervision, perform many patient care tasks which were traditionally conducted by doctors. They may perform complete physical examinations, give treatment, prescribe certain drugs and counsel patients on their health problems. While most PA programs train students for general medicine, there are special assistant programs, such as surgeon's assistant and child health associate.

Admission Requirements

Admission to most programs requires a minimum of  three years of college credits. More than half of students who enroll in PA programs have at least one college degree.

Training programs given by community colleges, universities, medical school and the military are usually two years long and award a certificate, associate, bachelor's or master's degree.

Applicants seeking admission to a physician assistant program should contact the school they are interested in attending for information on specific prerequisites and admission requirements.

Admission to a physician assistant program generally requires volunteer or paid experience in a health care setting.

Course Requirements

The course requirements here vary tremendously although most programs require two courses of general chemistry with the lab, one course in biology with the lab, one course in microbiology with the lab, two courses in anatomy and physiology with the lab, and two courses in organic chemistry with the lab or one course in organic chemistry and one course in biochemistry.

Websites

American Academy of Physician Assistants
950 N. Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1552
703-836-2272