PAs (Physician Assistants) are highly trained medical professionals who practice medicine in collaboration with physicians across nearly every specialty and clinical setting. While PAs are not physicians, they are licensed to perform many of the same patient-care duties, including conducting physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications, and assisting in surgery. Unlike physicians, PAs complete a master’s-level professional program rather than medical school and residency, allowing them to enter clinical practice more quickly. PAs work under a collaborative practice model, meaning they practice with physician supervision while maintaining a high degree of autonomy, and they can change specialties without completing additional formal residency training.
Content Areas | RPI Courses |
|---|---|
Biology w/Lab (1-2 semesters) |
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Microbiology w/Lab (1 semester) |
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Chemistry w/Lab (1-2 semesters) |
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Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (1 semester) |
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Human Anatomy & Physiology w/Lab (2 semesters) | Cross-Registration with other colleges and universities |
Statistics (1 semester) |
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Psychology (1 semester) |
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English (2 semesters) |
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Many PA programs also require or strongly prefer one semester of one or more of the following content areas: upper-level biology coursework, such as genetics, immunology, cell biology, or medical terminology. This list is not exhaustive and many courses could satisfy these content areas. Be sure to verify the content area requirements for the specific schools you are interested in. You can find this information on their program websites as well as PAEA’s CASPA Program Directory.
Physician Assistant programs utilize CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants), a centralized application platform. Applicants submit one primary application through CASPA, which is then distributed to the PA programs the applicant selects. Applications include biographical information and program selections, official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions, letters of evaluation, a personal statement, and documented direct patient care hours, which are heavily weighted in admissions decisions.
Some PA programs require or recommend the GRE, though an increasing number of programs are test-optional. The MCAT is not accepted. Unlike medical and dental school applications, PA programs often use rolling admissions, meaning early application submission is key.
