Pre-Physician Assistant

Physician assistants (PA’s) are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision.  PA’s conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. In most cases, students must earn a Bachelor’s degree and complete specific prerequisites before applying to a PA program.

Portland State offers a strong pre-physician assistant program whereby students complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance with the physician assistant school preparation, selection, and application process.

Portland State University Pre-Physician Assistant Course List 

Based on courses commonly required and recommended by physician assistant schools (such as OHSU, Pacific University, and George Fox University), PSU recommends the courses listed below as a solid foundation for pre-physician assistant students.

Successful completion of this course list will result in fulfillment of the prerequisites at many physician assistant schools; however, students are responsible for researching the requirements at the schools in which they are interested and adding any necessary extra coursework.

In addition to completing the courses listed below, pre-physician assistant students typically also complete the requirements for a major as well as other graduation requirements. 

Additional Information:

Health Care Experience: Most physician assistant programs require applicants to have previous health care experience.  One to two years of responsible health care experience working directly (hands on) with patients, such as, nurse, EMT, medic, social worker, athletic trainer, medical technologist, or a number of other health care fields, is minimally required, but most matriculants have earned many more hours.

GRE: Some PA programs require students to take the GRE general test.  

The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA): Students apply to PA school by completing a primary application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). CASPA will verify your application for accuracy, calculate your GPA, and send your materials to the physician assistant programs you designate. The application opens in April and individual deadlines are determined by the physician assistant programs. 

Application Process: Each PA program determines what is required by their deadline date. Review individual deadlines so you understand what is required. References are submitted directly to CASPA by your evaluations. Some PA programs require supplemental applications. Note: Many PA programs begin in the Spring, which can impact your timeline for completing pre-requisites and the process.  

PA Program Admission Requirements:

Oregon Health & Science University PA program:

• Bachelor’s degree and prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the fall term of the application year.
• Prerequisite courses: Grade of C or higher is required for all prerequisite courses.
• Anatomy and Physiology sequence must be completed within 5 years of matriculation.
• A minimum of 40 quarter credits of relevant biology, physics, and chemistry courses is required.
• References: OHSU requires three letters of reference. It is recommended that one is from a physician or physician assistant, one is from a work supervisor, and one is from a professor.
• Required Health Care Experience: A minimum of 2000 hours (accrued at the time of application submission) is required.

Pacific University PA program:

• All prerequisite courses must be completed by December 31st of the year prior to entering the program.
• Last term of Anatomy and Physiology must be completed within 7 years of matriculation.
• Professional Evaluations: Two professional evaluations required. It is recommended that one is from a Physician, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner with whom you have worked or shadowed.
• Required Health Care Experience: A minimum of 1000 hours (accrued at the time of application submission) is required.

George Fox University PA program: 

• Bachelor’s degree and prerequisite courses must be completed by Sept 1 of the year before matriculation.
• Prerequisite courses: Grade of B or higher is required for all prerequisite courses.
• References: Three letters of recommendation are required: 3 professional references or 2 professional + 1 academic reference
• Required Health Care Experience: No minimum; however, applicants receive a point value for paid health care experience.

Helpful Websites:

• American Academy of Physician Assistants
• Physician Assistant Education Association
• Directory of PA programs