Prerequisites for PA School: The Classes You Need

When it comes to the classes required to get into PA school, most programs are pretty similar across the board. Occasionally one program will be pickier than another or require a few more courses, but the basics tend to be the same.

If you already have a bachelor's degree and you are going back to take classes, it is easier to pick and choose exactly what you need. Some schools require that courses be completed within a certain window, like the last 5 or 10 years, while others accept coursework no matter when it was done. This is definitely something to look at when you are deciding where to apply, especially if your undergraduate work was done a while ago.

So the short answer is yes and no: the core list is consistent, but the details and time limits vary, which is why checking each program matters.

If you are still working on your degree and you know you want PA school (or something medical), you get to choose your major. Many majors already require most of the prerequisites you will need, and while it is efficient to pick one of those, you may have other interests worth pursuing too.

I majored in Biology, but in my graduating class there were all kinds of degrees, including Math and Accounting. Some other majors worth considering are Chemistry, Health Promotion, Biological Science, or Kinesiology, and your school may have other specific majors that get you what you need.

So it is not really what your major is that matters, it is what classes you take. Pick something you can succeed in and that lines up with the prerequisites, and you will be in good shape.

The basic classes most programs require are typically these:

• Biology with lab, usually 2 semesters

• General chemistry with lab, usually 2 semesters

• Anatomy and Physiology with lab, usually 2 semesters of a combined course, or one of each if they are separate

• Statistics or Biostatistics. Some schools only accept one of these, so check the program's website and, if you are still unsure, call and ask specifically

Classes you might need and should consider taking if you can:

• Psychology

• Organic chemistry and/or biochemistry with lab (Organic Chemistry II was my only C+ in college and it was miserable, so unless you love chemistry, avoid it if it is optional. Mine was part of my Biology major, so I did not have a choice.)

• Microbiology with lab

• Other science electives

Always check each program you are interested in and crosscheck the list against what you have already taken or what your major requires.

Answer to question/header

Answer to question/header

It is a good idea to check the website of any program you are interested in, where the prerequisites should be listed clearly, then crosscheck that against your completed courses or your major requirements. My Biology major only counted Anatomy as a general elective, so I took it over the summer since it was basically extra. I was worried about taking it at a different school than UGA, so I called the programs I was interested in to ask if that was okay, and the consensus was that as long as I had the prerequisites, it did not matter where I took them.

As daunting as the coursework seems, it really works in your favor once you start PA school. The pace is so fast that there is no time to review undergrad material, and programs need you ready and familiar with the science basics. Many medical schools do not even require anatomy, because they study it for a full year, while PA students often cover it in 1 semester!

These are tough classes, so if you can spread them out and earn better grades, that may help you. Some schools want at least a C or B in prerequisites no matter your overall GPA, so start planning early to get everything done and be ready to apply.

PA school prerequisites look intimidating, but they are very doable when you plan ahead and pace the hard sciences. Check each program's exact list early, protect your grades, and you will set yourself up for a smoother application and a stronger start in school. If you want help mapping out your coursework and timeline, our free resources and coaching are here whenever you need them.