Pre-Physician Assistant

This page contains information about the course requirements for Pre-Physician Assistant students. Physician Assistant programs will have certain course prerequisites necessary for application. Required courses vary widely among programs.  Very early in their undergraduate studies, pre-Physician Assistant students should research the course requirements of the Physician Assistant programs of interest to them. 

General Coursework

Introductory Biology

  • Most PA programs require one semester of introductory biology with lab.
    • At UMW, two biology courses fulfill this requirement: BIOL 121 (Biological Concepts) – or – BIOL 125 (Phage Hunters I).
  • Some PA programs require a second semester of introductory biology with lab.
    • At UMW, two biology courses fulfill this requirement After the first semester in the series: BIOL 132 (Organisms Function & Diversity) – or – BIOL 126 (Phage Hunters II).
  • The introductory biology sequence serves as prerequisites for upper-level biology courses, such as anatomy and physiology.
    • Therefore, UMW recommends students take both introductory courses in their first year.  Without these courses, students will not be able to immediately move on to upper-level biology courses.  This could delay their application to the professional school of their choice.

Introductory Chemistry

  • Nearly all PA programs require one semester of introductory chemistry courses with lab.
    • At UMW, only CHEM 111 (General Chemistry I) fulfills this requirement.
    • Students must take the UMW Chemistry Placement Exam to qualify for CHEM 111 registration.
    • Some PA programs require a second semester of introductory chemistry with lab.
      • At UMW, only CHEM 112 (General Chemistry II) fulfills this requirement.
    • The introductory chemistry sequence also serves as prerequisites for upper-level chemistry courses, like biochemistry and upperlevel Biology classes such as Cell Biology.
      • Students should take both introductory courses in their first year.  Without these courses, students will not be able to immediately move on to upper-level chemistry courses.  This could delay their application to the professional school of their choice.

Other common introductory courses

Students will take these courses at any time prior to application without delaying a student’s application to the professional school of their choice.

  • One semester (3 credits) of college-level statistics.
    • Three UMW courses apply: STAT 180, BIOL 260 and PSYC 261.
  • One semester (3 credits) psychology
    • UMW recommends PSYC 100