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Updated 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog | 20255

PDF of Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Physician Assistant

Advisors: Dr. Holly LaFerriere, Dr. Julie Larson, Dr. Mark Wallert

  1. The pre-physician assistant student should fulfill all requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree at Bemidji State University. The student should declare an academic major. Pre-Physician Assistant is not an academic major. The major may be in any field of study.

  2. Early entrance into physician assistant school is possible for some students. Many physician assistant programs now require more patient care hours to qualify for entrance into their program. Physician Assistant programs in the United States vary significantly, and the pre-physician assistant student must research the type of program they desire to enter. In addition, some physician assistant schools may require more courses than listed below. It is the responsibility of the pre-physician assistant student to become aware of these additional requirements and to plan his or her pre-physician assistant curriculum accordingly.

  3. The pre-physician assistant student should work closely with the pre-physician assistant advisor so all course requirements are fulfilled prior to entrance into physician assistant school. Delay in meeting with the pre-physician assistant advisor will likely result in delayed entrance into physician assistant school.

  4. In addition to a strong background in behavioral sciences, English, and humanities, the following courses are specifically required for entrance into most physician assistant schools:

    BIOL 1400, 1500, 1300, 2110, 3710
    CHEM 2211, 2212, 3311, 3312, 3371, 3372, 4411, 4412
    ENGL 1151, 2152
    PHYS 1101, 1102 (or) 2101, 2102
    STAT 2610

  5. The following courses are strongly recommended to be included in the student's pre-physician assistant curriculum:
    BIOL 2360, 3580, 3590, 4270
    CHEM 4471, 4472
    PSY 1100, 2237
  6. A suggested pre-physician assistant academic schedule is listed below; numbers in parentheses are semester credits:

Freshman

BIOL 1400, 1500; F, S; (4,4)
CHEM 2211, 2212; F, S; (4,4)
ENGL 1151, 2152; F, S; (3,3)
STAT 2610; F or S; (4)
Electives: Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor

Sophomore

BIOL 1300; F or S; (2)
BIOL 2360, 3710; F, S; (4,4)
CHEM 3311, 3312; F, S; (3,3)
CHEM 3371, 3372; F, S; (1,1)
PHYS 1101, 1102, or 2101, 2102
Electives: Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor

Junior

Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor

Senior

Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor