Essential Courses

 

BI-101 General Biology I

4 Credits Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite: FYC-101

BI-102 General Biology II

4 CreditsPrerequisite: BI-101 or BI-105

BI-340 Medical Microbiology

4 CreditsNNote: A special fee is assessed. Prerequisite: BI106 and CH144.

CH-142 Integrated Chemistry Principles I

3 CreditsNCorequisite CH143

CH-143 Integrated Chem Principles I Lab

1 CreditsN, QSCH142 is a corequisite of this course. A lab fee is associated with this course.

CH-144 Integrated Chemistry Principles II

3 CreditsNPrerequisite: CH-142

CH-145 Integrated Chemistry Principles II Lab

1 CreditN, QSPrerequisite: CH-143. A lab fee is associated with this course.

CH-232 Organic Chemistry I

3 CreditsNPrerequisite: CH-144; Corequisite: CH-233.

and

CH-233 Organic Chemistry I Lab

1 CreditsNPrerequisite: CH-145. Corequisite: CH-232.

CH-312 Biochemistry

3 CreditsNPrerequisites: Take BI-102 (or have instructor's permission) and CH-232.

MA-205 Elementary Statistics

4 CreditsN, QS, WK-SPPrerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

or

BI-305 Biostatistics

4 CreditsN, QS, CTGESPrerequisites: BI106 or ESS100

BI-310 Physiology

4 CreditsN 

BI-367 Anatomy

3 CreditsNPrerequisites: BI-101 or BI-105 and BI-102 or BI-106. Corequisite: BI-368.

BI-368 Anatomy Laboratory

1 CreditNCorequisite: BI-367

PY-101 Introduction to Psychology

3 CreditsS

Take one of the following combinations:

BI-118 Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4 Credits

and

BI-119 Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4 CreditsPrerequisite: BI-118 or ESK-105.

or

BI-310 Physiology

4 CreditsN 

and

BI-367 Anatomy

3 CreditsNPrerequisites: BI-101 or BI-105 and BI-102 or BI-106. Corequisite: BI-368.

and

BI-368 Anatomy Laboratory

1 CreditNCorequisite: BI-367

EN English course (in addition to FYC)

CreditsFISHNPrerequisites

 

 

Important Notes

  • Strongly recommend Genetics, medical terminology, and Ethics of Health Care. Also recommend Immunology, environmental science, Human Sexuality, history, religion, business courses, economics, art, and Communication courses. Many PA programs have individualized prerequisite requirements. Be sure to consult with the programs you intend to apply to for specific requirements.
  • These courses reflect broad-based program requirements for schools in Pennsylvania. Although this course list will be sufficient for most other programs, make sure to check requirements of schools in which you are interested no later than your sophomore year.
  • This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE in consultation with your advisor.
  • Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee
  • In addition to your course work you are urged to gain some experience shadowing a physician assistant either during the school year or over the summer.
  • If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing.
  • Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. Work with your advisor.
Competitive Credentials

For programs in general: Science GPA and overall GPA of 3.5-3.6. 500-1000 hours of "hands-on" health care experience for many programs (examples; nurse's aide, patient care technician, EMT; schools do not count "shadowing" for the health care experience requirement).

Helpful Websites

Physician Assistant Education Association - www.paeaonline.org and http://pafocus.org/

American Academy of Physician Assistants - http://www.aapa.org

General Information: https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/medicine/physician-assistant/

Suggested Core Progression for Pre-Physician Assistant

Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken.

  FALL SPRING
Freshman Year BI101 General Biology I BI102 General Biology II
  CH 142 Integrated Chemistry Principles I CH 144 Integrated Chemistry Principles II
  CH143 Integrated Chemistry Principles I Lab CH 145 Integrated Chemistry Princ II Lab
  PY 101 Psychology  
  FALL SPRING
Sophomore Year CH 232 Organic Chemistry I CH 312 Biochemistry
   CH 233 Organic Chemistry I Lab CH 247 Bioanalytical Chemistry Lab
    English course
  FALL SPRING
Junior Year Statistics BI 367/368 Anatomy and Lab
  BI 310 Physiology  
  Medical Microbiology  

 

**Both semesters of the year that you plan to take the exam.