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Physician assistants (PAs) work alongside doctors to see patients, order tests, develop treatment plans and prescribe medications.

PA schools look for students with a well-rounded academic background, hands-on patient care experience, and strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Your ³Ô¹ÏÍø bachelor’s degree will prepare you well for a master’s-level PA program—and your pre-health advisor will help you find opportunities for the hands-on experience that will help your application stand out.

Earning a master’s degree after your bachelor’s degree generally takes an additional two to three years. 

You can learn more about becoming a physician assistant from the (PAEA). And you can compare the requirements of different programs in the .

Plan of Study

Requirements vary, but most U.S. physician assistant programs recommend:

• Two semesters of general biology with labs (courses in nutrition or genetics may also be recommended)
• Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with labs*
• One semester of microbiology with lab
• Three semesters of chemistry with labs (including general, organic and biochemistry)
• Two semesters of English composition
• One or two semesters of psychology
• One semester of statistics

*Some programs require courses in human anatomy; others allow comparative anatomy.