Pre-Physician Assistant
Introduction
Students interested in a career as a physician assistant may pursue any major along with completing specific prerequisites. Due to significant science requirements, most students major in Biology or Chemistry (Health Professions Track). Direct-entry physician assistant graduate schools typically require the bachelor degree to be completed prior to enrolling. Students must gain a thorough understanding of the profession through a range of shadowing experiences and significant direct patient care experience through work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, EMT, Home Health Aid, etc. Some programs require a competitive score on the GRE, community service hours, and an understanding of social justice issues.
Canisius undergraduates who meet all admission requirements will be offered an interview by the Canisius Physician Assistant program. This does not guarantee acceptance to the program. A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact and 100 hours of community service are required in addition to the course prerequisites. Pre-PA students are encouraged to interact with our PA program through opportunities arranged by our pre-health clubs. The Pre-Medical Center is able to connect students to work and volunteer opportunities. Students are encouraged to complete more than the minimum requirements. Many schools require significantly more direct patient contact hours (1000+) and significant shadowing of physician assistants.
Academic admission requirements vary somewhat by physician assistant program. Students should work with the Pre-Health advisor beginning in the first college year to select appropriate coursework based on their schools of interest and plan appropriate co-curricular experiences. In addition to the information in this section, please check the general information at the pre-medical and pre-health section of the catalog.
Recommended Pre-Physician Assistant Courses
Academic admission requirements vary by school, but usually include the following courses:
General Biology
At least one year of general biology with laboratory:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 111 & 111L | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Laboratory I | 4 |
| BIO 112 & 112L | Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Laboratory II | 4 |
Anatomy & Physiology
One year of anatomy & physiology with laboratory:
Note that some schools may accept BIO 114/BIO 115 for this requirement however, the Canisius PA program and other local programs do not.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 324 & 324L | Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Lab | 4 |
| BIO 340 & 340L | Physiology and Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
Microbiology
One semester of general microbiology with laboratory:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 307 & 307L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
Chemistry
One year of general chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry with laboratories:
Note that some schools may require a second semester of Organic Chemistry (CHM 228 & CHM 228L). Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine chemistry coursework that aligns to your schools of interest.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 111 & 111L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 112 & 112L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 227 & 227L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
Biochemistry
One semester of biochemistry. Based on your selection or your major, two semesters and/or labs may be required:
Note that CHM 228 is required for BCH 301.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
| BIO 211 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 212 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology II | 3 |
| Students should take both BIO 211 / BIO 212 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| BCH 301 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| BCH 302 | Cellular Biochemistry | 3 |
| Students may take one or both courses of BCH 301/ BCH 302 | ||
Psychology:
One to three semesters of psychology must include developmental psychology; psychopathology (abnormal psychology) is strongly recommended:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
| or PSY 102 | Introduction to Psychology II | |
| PSY 203 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 303 | Psychopathology | 3 |
Mathematics
One semester of statistics:
Note that some programs also require calculus (MAT 111). Please work with the Pre-Health advisor to determine math coursework that aligns to your schools of interest.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 201 | Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | 3 or 4 |
| or KIN 398 | Statistics and Research Design | |
| or MAT 141 | Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | |
Medical Terminology
One course in medical terminology is required by some schools:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HRP 111 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
Additional Pre-Physician Assistant Courses
Some schools recommend additional coursework from the following:
Biology: Immunochemistry BIO 404/BIO 404L or Genetics BIO 406/BIO 406L
Bio-Medical Ethics: PHI 243 or RST 345
Elective Courses
HRP 101 allows students to explore different health professions.
HRP 201 and HRP 202 allow students to explore areas of medicine in more depth.
HRP 498 is an internship in medical informatics. A medical scribe internship in neurology is also available.
HRP 498A is a medical service learning trip.
